Table of Contents
Featured Article: 2017 in Review
Economic Calendar
Quote of the Week
Recipe of the Week: Ohio Turkey Chili
Tax Tips
Golf Tips
Healthy Lifestyle
Green Living
2017 in Review
In the final trading days of a strong 2017, U.S. indexes lost some ground. During the holiday-shortened week, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.36%, the Dow lost 0.14%, and the NASDAQ gave back 0.81%. A selloff toward the end of the day on Friday contributed to the domestic indexes’ weekly losses. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE ended the week in positive territory, gaining 0.89%.
Despite the losses, all three major domestic indexes experienced their best year since 2013. During 2017, the Dow hit 71 record highs, and the NASDAQ gained in all but 1 month for the first time ever.
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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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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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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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Table of Contents
Featured Article: Looking Beyond Politics
Economic Calendar
Quote of the Week
Recipe of the Week: Mustard Crusted Meatloaf
Tax Tips
Golf Tips
Healthy Lifestyle
Green Living
Looking Beyond Politics
Markets went for a wild ride last week—especially on Friday. In fact, on December 1, the S&P 500 had its largest fluctuations since the day after the 2016 presidential election. Nonetheless, two of the major domestic markets hit new record highs on Thursday and ended the week with sizable gains. The S&P 500 added 1.53% and the Dow gained 2.86%. Meanwhile, the NASDAQ lost 0.60% and international stocks in the MSCI EAFE gave back 0.95%.
What drove markets last week?
Politics played a large role in market performance last week with big developments on tax reform and the Russia investigation.
Tax Reform
On Thursday, news that the Senate bill was more likely to pass contributed to the Dow and S&P 500 closing at record highs. Early Saturday morning, the Senate did end up voting in favor of the proposal.
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