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Featured Article: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq All Rise

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Cake

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Dow, S&P, Nasdaq All Rise

The Week on Wall Street
The big story last week was the sudden grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 passenger jets in dozens of countries. The financial effects of this ban could potentially impact the airline industry and segments of the economy for months.

While the news created a headwind for the Dow Industrials, stocks managed to post solid gains for the week. The Nasdaq Composite rose 3.12%; the S&P 500, 2.46%; the Dow, 2.25%.

Bullish sentiment was also evident overseas. Looking at the MSCI EAFE index, international stocks…

Just a friendly reminder…

Our office will be operating on a half day schedule on Thursday, March 14th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.






In the afternoon, our Team, along with some of our client families will be volunteering at Food & Friends from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

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Featured Article: Stocks Dip on Growth Concerns

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Tax Tips

Golf Tips

Healthy Lifestyle

Green Living

S&P Ends Week Little Changed

The Week on Wall Street
As in February, investors spent most of the first full trading week of March hoping for new details in U.S.-China trade negotiations.

While they waited, stock benchmarks drifted downward. From Monday’s open to Friday’s close, the S&P 500 lost 2.55%, while the Dow Industrials took a 2.66% fall, and the Nasdaq Composite weakened 3.12%. The MSCI EAFE index tracking developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada fell 1.09%.

Why did stocks lose momentum? In a hint that global economic growth might be slowing, the European Central Bank abruptly reduced its 2019 Gross Domestic Product forecast for the…

Just a friendly reminder…

Our office will be operating on a half day schedule on Thursday, March 14th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.



In the afternoon, our Team along with some of our client families will be volunteering at Food & Friends from 1:00 to 3:00 pm doing food prep.

So, If you can spare a few hours for a worthy cause. Please join us!



Food & Friends is a wonderful organization providing meals to local families in dire need of assistance.


Call our office or email us at events@stuartfg.com to sign up!

Table of Contents

Featured Article: S&P Ends Week Little Changed

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Roasted beets

Tax Tips

Golf Tips

Healthy Lifestyle

Green Living

S&P Ends Week Little Changed

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks lost a little ground as February gave way to March. While domestic and overseas political developments made headlines, the market stayed relatively calm: from Monday’s open through Friday’s close, the S&P 500 ceded just 0.17%, finishing the week at 2,803.69.

The Dow declined 0.65% in five trading sessions to 26,026.32, while the Nasdaq finished the week 0.06% higher at 7,595.35. The MSCI EAFE index of international stocks rose 0.24% for the week.

Volatility has dropped in the past few weeks. Wall Street has grown less anxious about the possibility of new tariffs and higher interest rates this year.

Powell Shares His Outlook
Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told the Senate that Fed officials would take a “patient approach” with regard to future interest…

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Featured Article: Optimism Spurs a Broad Rally

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Roasted Sunday Chicken

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Optimism Spurs a Broad Rally

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks rallied last week as optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal grew. The S&P 500 advanced 0.80% during the 4-day trading week to 2,792.67. The Nasdaq Composite improved 0.86% to 7,527.54, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.64% to 26,031.81.

The renewed prospects for a trade pact were not the only development investors found appealing last week. There were indications that the Federal Reserve might be a bit less committed to its plans to raise interest rates further this year.

A Look at the Fed Minutes
There were no surprises from the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, who released the transcript from their January meeting on Tuesday. Investors pore over the meeting minutes looking for clues about the Fed’s next move on short-term interest rates.

Fed policymakers appeared split on what’s next. Some felt another rate…

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Featured Article: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq Climb Higher

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Avocado Toast with Chèvre and Chives

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Golf Tips

Healthy Lifestyle

Green Living

Dow, S&P, Nasdaq Climb Higher

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks ended a good week on a high note, as hints of progress in U.S.-China trade talks encouraged investors.

When the closing bell rang Friday, the S&P 500 settled at 2,775.60, after rising 2.50% in five days. The Dow Industrials gained 3.09%, to close Friday at 25,883.25. The Nasdaq Composite improved 2.39% to 7,472.41.

Shutdown Averted
Wall Street breathed a sigh of relief late last week as Congress passed a bill to keep the federal government funded. President Trump signed the measure on Friday.

The development is expected to have a positive effect on consumer sentiment, which may influence the financial markets. During the shutdown, consumer confidence…

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Featured Article: Stocks Post Small Weekly Gains

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate-Strawberry Cake

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Stocks Post Small Weekly Gains

The Week on Wall Street
Major U.S. stock benchmarks eked out slight gains last week, with corporate profit reports and news about U.S.-China trade negotiations vying for investor attention over five trading sessions.

The big three ended the week little changed from where they settled the previous Friday. The Dow Jones Industrials rose 0.17% percent, while the S&P 500 Index gained 0.05% percent. The NASDAQ Composite ended the week up 0.47%. Looking at international stocks, the MSCI EAFE index retreated 0.47%.

Earnings Scorecard
As of last Friday, 66% of all S&P 500 companies had reported fourth-quarter earnings. So far, 71% of these firms have announced earnings exceeding estimates, and 62% have seen revenues top projections.

Halfway through earnings season, 2019 future guidance has been…

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Featured Article: Markets Gain Again

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: The Best, Old-School Popcorn

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Markets Gain Again

Last week closed out one of stocks’ top January performances in years. In fact, both the S&P 500 and Dow posted their best January results in at least 3 decades.

For the week, major domestic indexes were also up. The S&P 500 gained 1.57%, the Dow added 1.32%, and the NASDAQ increased 1.38%. The Dow’s performance marked its 6th week of gains in a row. Internationally, MSCI EAFE stocks also posted growth, rising 0.91%.

What drove stock results last week?

As discussed in our previous market update, last week provided a number of details for investors to focus on. Here are some key items that contributed to market performance:

Federal Reserve Meeting: The Fed chose not to increase interest rates above its current 2.25% – 2.50% target. When releasing this update…

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Featured Article: Stocks Muted, Big Week Ahead

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Spinach-Orange Salad

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Green Living

Stocks Muted, Big Week Ahead

For the first time in months, U.S. markets experienced little movement last week. The Dow and NASDAQ did have their 5th week of gains in a row, but their increases were small: 0.12% and 0.11%, respectively. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 broke its 4-week winning streak with a 0.22% loss. Internationally, the MSCI EAFE also posted modest returns, gaining 0.47% for the week.

What topics were on investors’ minds?

Despite the relative lack of market drama last week, investors still had plenty to consider. For example, the following details emerged:
• Conflicting messages came out on trade tension with China.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its forecast for global growth.
• Corporate earnings season continued.

In addition, the longest Federal government shutdown in history ended. After 35 days, the House and Senate voted unanimously to reopen the partially closed government. President Trump signed the bill, which includes funding through February 15.

This week could provide far more action in the markets when a number of key details emerge.

What’s ahead this week?

These last days of January provide several noteworthy…

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Featured Article: The Rally Continues

Economic Calendar

Recipe of the Week: Easy, One-Pot Pasta

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The Rally Continues

U.S. markets were up again last week, as major domestic indexes posted their 4th weekly gains in a row. In fact, the S&P 500 was no longer in correction territory at Friday’s close—and was in the middle of its best yearly start since 1987.

For the week, the S&P 500 gained 2.87%, the Dow added 2.96%, and the NASDAQ increased by 2.66%. So far, all three indexes are up more than 5% in 2019. Internationally, the MSCI EAFE also ended the week in positive territory, posting a 1.06% gain.

What is driving the rally?

Once again, developments in our ongoing trade negotiations with China contributed to the performance. On Thursday, a report emerged that the U.S. was weighing whether to lift tariffs on Chinese imports. However, the Treasury Department said Secretary Steve Mnuchin had not recommended this action. Then, on Friday, Bloomberg released news that China may raise its imports to a level that would close the trade deficit by 2024. This potential sign of progress contributed to the day’s market gains.

While these trade updates significantly affected stock performance last week, the following details…