Weekly Update: December 26, 2017 – A Tax Bill Before the Holiday


Table of Contents


Featured Article: A Tax Bill Before the Holiday


Economic Calendar


Quote of the Week


Recipe of the Week: Ham, Peas, and Cheese Gnocchi Casserole

Tax Tips


Golf Tips


Healthy Lifestyle


Green Living

A Tax Bill Before the Holiday

As we headed into the long holiday weekend, the markets continued to climb as tax reform moved forward. For the week, the S&P 500 closed up 0.29%, the Dow rose 0.43%, and the NASDAQ gained 0.35%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE increased by 1.23%

Before leaving for his holiday vacation, President Trump signed a new tax bill and a measure to temporarily delay a possible government shutdown. Supporters of the $1.5 trillion tax cut, which dramatically reduces the corporate tax rate, believe it will encourage businesses to invest, hire more workers, and increase wages. Some companies are already celebrating by offering bonuses to their employees and promising to improve infrastructure in the workplace.

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Weekly Update: December 18, 2017 – Tax Plan Boosts Stocks


Table of Contents

Featured Article: Tax Plan Boosts Stocks

Economic Calendar

Quote of the Week

Recipe of the Week: Lamb Sausage with Confetti Couscous

Tax Tips

Golf Tips

Healthy Lifestyle

Green Living

Tax Plan Boosts Stocks

Domestic markets were up last week as tax reform became more likely. On Friday, multiple previously undecided Senators announced they would back the combined House and Senate bill, and stocks reacted by hitting new record highs. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.92%, the Dow added 1.33%, and the NASDAQ grew by 1.41%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE increased 0.13%.

The House and Senate may vote on the tax plan next week, and if it passes, a number of changes will be on the horizon. In particular, the corporate tax rate would drop from 35% to 21% in 2018. Anticipation of this change has contributed to the many record highs we’ve seen in the domestic markets this year.

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Weekly Update: December 11, 2017 – Strong Markets for the Holidays

Table of Contents

Featured Article: Strong Markets for the Holidays

Economic Calendar

Quote of the Week

Recipe of the Week: Eggplant Stuffed with Bulgur and Cashew

Tax Tips

Golf Tips

Healthy Lifestyle

Green Living

 Strong Markets for the Holidays

As the holiday season progresses, the markets continue to impress. Last week, many energy, financial, and industrial sector stocks helped drive performance. Hitting record highs yet again, the S&P gained 0.35%, and the Dow jumped 0.40% for the week.Meanwhile, the NASDAQ fell slightly by 0.11%, and the MSCI EAFE rose 0.08%.

Solid labor market conditions and a rebounding retail climate are helping to support the economy as the year closes.

Here are some developments that stood out last week:

Promising Labor Market Numbers

Encouraging news came on Friday when we learned that nonfarm payroll jobs rose more than expected in November, coming in at 228,000. Manufacturers have created almost 200,000 new jobs in the last 12 months and 1 million new factory jobs since 2010. We have now had 86-straight months of job gains, the longest stretch in U.S. history.

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