Weekly Update: December 2, 2019 – November Concludes with Gains
Click on the links below to scroll to a particular section.Featured Article: November Concludes with GainsEconomic CalendarQuote of the WeekRecipe of the Week: Super-Gooey Cinnamon RollsTax TipsGolf TipsHealthy LifestyleGreen Living |
[sta_anchor id=”feature”][/sta_anchor]
The Week on Wall Street
As November wrapped up, U.S. equity benchmarks advanced. Stocks were again aided by a sense of optimism that a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal could be near.
For the week, the Nasdaq Composite added 1.87%; the S&P 500, 1.21%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 1.03%. The MSCI EAFE index, which measures the performance of developed stock markets outside North America, gained 0.89%.[1],[2]
Markets Wait for News of a Trade Pact
Wednesday, a senior White House official told Politico that the U.S. was “millimeters away” from a phase-one trade agreement with China, a deal that might involve the removal of certain tariffs.
Still, friction remains within the Sino-American relationship. Last week, President Trump signed two bills into law backing pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly reacted, stating that American lawmakers had “sinister intentions” and adding that China would take “strong counter-measures” in return.[3],[4]
The Latest on Consumer Spending and Consumer Confidence
Personal spending was up 0.3% in October, according to the Department of Commerce. This happened even with no gain in household incomes.
The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index came in at 125.5 for November. Even though it has declined for four straight months, the index remains well above levels seen during the first half of the decade.[5],[6]
[sta_anchor id=”econ”][/sta_anchor]
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: The Institute for Supply Management provides its latest monthly index of U.S. manufacturing activity (November).
Wednesday: The ISM presents its November Non-Manufacturing Index, and Automatic Data Processing (ADP) publishes its November payrolls report.
Friday: November hiring data arrives from the Department of Labor, and the University of Michigan’s preliminary December Consumer Sentiment Index appears.
Source: Econoday, November 29, 2019
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Tuesday: Salesforce (CRM), Workday (WDAY)
Wednesday: RBC (RY)
Thursday: Dollar General (DG), TD Bank (TD)
Source: Zacks, November 29, 2019
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
[sta_anchor id=”quote”][/sta_anchor]
“December. A month of lights, snow and feasts; time to make amends and tie loose ends; finish off what you started and hope your wishes come true.“ |
―- Unknown |
[sta_anchor id=”recipe”][/sta_anchor]
Super-Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
There’s no time like the holidays to enjoy something warm, gooey, and totally indulgent. Enter: cinnamon rolls! Make these cinnamon rolls to impress guests, bring to your next holiday party, or just devour at home.
[10 servings]
Ingredients: | Directions: |
For the Dough:
For the Filling:
For the Glaze:
|
Recipe adapted from Spoon Fork Bacon[7]
|
[sta_anchor id=”tax”][/sta_anchor]
Stay Safe While Shopping Online
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for online shopping! Buy your holiday gifts with ease with these tips on how to protect your data online:
- Don’t enter your credit card information if you’re connected to an unsecure Wi-Fi network.
- Only shop at sites that you know and make sure they have an “https://:” URL (the “s” in the URL means that it’s secure).
- Recognize phishing emails, never click on links you don’t know, and report scams that ask for financial information to the IRS.
- Keep your computer and security software up to date.
- Use strong, long, and unique passwords. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Use multifactor authentication when available. These sites, like email servers and banking websites, will require a code be sent to your phone number to be able to log in.
- Encrypt sensitive data on your computer.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[8]
[sta_anchor id=”golf”][/sta_anchor]
Tips for Golfing in the Winter
December is officially here, which means winter play is also here. If you’re planning on playing outside during the cold winter months, keep these tips in mind:
- Your ball won’t fly as far in the cold, so be prepared to use more club than you might normally.
- If you can, choose to walk instead of renting a cart. Walking is a great way to keep your body warm.
- Play with two balls. Keep one warm in your pocket while you play the other one, and then switch them out every hole (just don’t artificially heat the ball).
- Make sure to wear multiple layers to stay warm and take off layers as needed when you start to warm up.
- Softer balls will fly farther in the cold weather, so shop for balls that compress more than the harder ones you would use in the summer.
Playing in the winter can be just as fun as playing in the summer. On many courses, the fairways will be less crowded, and you can take your time.
Tip adapted from Leading Courses[9]
[sta_anchor id=”health”][/sta_anchor]
It’s Okay to Say No
With all the family gatherings, company holiday parties, and obligations every weekend, the holidays are exciting, yet exhausting. But believe it or not, it’s okay to say no. This time of year, it’s more important than ever to take time for self-care. In fact, learning how to respectfully say no is one important part of self-care.
There’s a difference between being agreeable and too agreeable. If you find yourself saying yes to things you don’t have time to do, and continually putting yourself last, it might be good to take some time for yourself. Make sure to set healthy boundaries and politely decline invitations if it’s too much for you. Don’t feel bad about wanting to stay home and read a good book, take a warm bath, or meditate. Don’t let the holidays overwhelm you, both mentally and physically. Taking time for yourself will benefit both!
Tip adapted from Rewire Me[10]
[sta_anchor id=”green”] [/sta_anchor]
Have an Eco-Friendly Holiday
There are many ways to save resources during the holidays and save the planet! Here are some of our favorite tips:
- Make your own wrapping paper or reuse gift bags. Most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable because it has glitter, shiny patterns, and foils. Look for recyclable paper or use things like butcher paper or decorated newspaper.
- Buy energy-saving LED holiday lights. LED lights use 90% less energy, which means you save money and natural resources.
- Get a pesticide-free tree. Many Christmas tree lots grow pesticide-free or organic trees. Even more, look for trees that you can plant in your yard or a nearby park after the holiday.
- Shop small and support local businesses. Not only will you be making a difference in the lives of an individual or family, but these sellers usually rely less on the many forms of transportation that big box retailers use. Some DIY gifts even reuse materials, making them even more environmentally friendly.
Tip adapted from Small Footprint Family[11]
Share the Wealth of Knowledge. We love being introduced!
Please share this market update with family, friends, or colleagues.
If you would like to opt-out of future emails, please click on the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of this email.
Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Diversification does not guarantee profit nor is it guaranteed to protect assets.
International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 significant stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. The DJIA was invented by Charles Dow back in 1896. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology companies and growth companies.
The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) that serves as a benchmark of the performance in major international equity markets as represented by 21 major MSCI indices from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The 10-year Treasury Note represents debt owed by the United States Treasury to the public. Since the U.S. Government is seen as a risk-free borrower, investors use the 10-year Treasury Note as a benchmark for the long-term bond market. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You cannot invest directly in an index. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors. By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as the links are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site.
[1]https://www.wsj.com/market-data
[2]https://quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices
[3]https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/27/us-trade-deal-china-074230
[4]https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/29/dow-futures-black-friday-thanksgiving-holiday.html
[5]https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/201911276898/us-gdp-growth-revised-up-to-21-rate-in-third-quarter-2nd-update
[6]https://www.briefing.com/calendars/economic/display-article?ArticleId=ER20191126100000ConsumerConfidence&FileName=conf.htm
[7]http://www.spoonforkbacon.com/brown-butter-cinnamon-rolls/
[8]https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/follow-these-tips-to-protect-data-when-shopping-online
[9]https://www.leadingcourses.com/blog/winter-golf-10-simple-tips/
[10]https://www.rewireme.com/happiness/okay-say-no/
[11]https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/eco-friendly-holiday-tips