Special September 11 Jones Report
Today, September 11, 2026, marks 25 years since the attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and since the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 lost their lives near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
There is another number worth recognizing. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of America.
Twenty-five years since 9/11. Two hundred and fifty years of America.
There is powerful symbolism in those numbers — and a troubling contrast.
On September 11, 2001, America's enemies attacked this country from the outside. Today, while external threats remain, America must also recognize growing threats from within.
One such threat is radical jihadist ideology. Its adherents can exploit the very constitutional rights and liberties that distinguish America in order to spread a radical interpretation of Islamic doctrine, with the ultimate objective of replacing our system of government and law with their version of Sharia law.
That presents America with a difficult but essential challenge: defending the constitutional freedoms that define this country while remaining vigilant against those who would use those same freedoms in an effort to undermine it.
As America approaches the midterm elections this November, too many have forgotten or seem unaware of the external and growing internal threats facing this great country.
I urge readers to consider voting for those who recognize these threats and understand the words of Benjamin Franklin.
As Benjamin was leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he was asked what form of government the delegates had created.
His famous reply:
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
And with that said, let's move to the markets and stocks.
Market Talk
There is plenty to talk about. But the Jones Report prefers to keep things brief.
First, many pundits are already speculating on just how the midterm election cycle may affect the markets. Just as important to market watchers are the conclusions being drawn from predictions that the past will repeat itself.
It has been pointed out that in prior midterm years, the lead-up to the elections has often not been favorable to the markets, with corrections often followed by a resurgence in stock values.
When it comes to the exact future “this time” — nobody knows!
There are things happening, though, that at best “seem to” point to some areas to watch for possible positive returns through the trouble.
Before venturing further into such notions, the volatility of the first half of this year, along with the channel churning and sector rotations, is a reminder to some of us — keep a good share of the powder DRY.
Stock Talk
It is now six months into the Iran conflict. Without rehashing the back-and-forth drama of war and peace negotiations, a hard look at where we are today may be useful.
With much of Iran's conventional military capability diminished, the U.S. and its allies appear to have the upper hand.
However, Iran — more specifically, the IRGC — still has the capability to create considerable regional turmoil around the Strait of Hormuz.
While oil flows through the Strait have modestly recovered, the conflict and attacks on ships continue.
Meanwhile, oil prices have pushed above $100 per barrel, with gasoline prices rising sharply and the effects being felt around the world.
Two companies highlighted here that produce oil and gas in the basins of the USA are Devon Energy (DVN) and Permian Resources (PR).
These two remain watch stocks, with possible further upside yet to come as global oil supplies remain strained and America's strategic reserves sit at historically low levels.
Moving on to metals, specifically gold and silver — and yet again to two miners watched here.
Perhaps it should be noted that recently we saw the miners correct even though their earnings were quite good. It seemed that the stock handlers simply did not want to give the miners the respect they were earning. One excuse was that higher energy costs can affect All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC) of production.
While true, the smart guys seemed to forget something: gold and silver prices have more than doubled from the not-too-distant past. One thing that makes me cautious is that old habits die hard with money managers until they are taught a new lesson. It remains to be seen on the miners, but gingerly placed positions may pay off over time.
In a world where countries around the globe, including our own, continue to increase national debt, those miners producing gold and silver appear to offer more value than many stocks whose earnings seem nowhere near enough to justify some lofty stock prices. At some point as earnings show sustained high levels, the market may begin giving these miners more of the respect their earnings deserve. Kinross Gold (KGC) and leading U.S. silver producer Hecla Mining (HL) remain two stock picks to watch. However, if oil exceeds $100 much longer, be aware of "old habits" of money managers.
These are a few thoughts on oil and gold sectors. Future reports will opine on many market forces and stocks to come.
- Jones Report
This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?
________
______________
More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!
For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality. Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor.
All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly. Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.
With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.
ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more. This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.
