Market News – January 14, 2019

Market News

2019’S GOOD START:  All major U.S. stock indices had a strong week, continuing what has been three weeks of solid and steady growth since the December swoon.  Next week, major companies will begin to report their fourth-quarter earnings, and most analysts have downgraded their forecasts due to trade uncertainty.  We will see how actual results…

January 14, 2019

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Market News – January 7, 2019

Market News

LOTS OF JOBS: The U.S. economy added 312,000 new jobs in December, a surprise to the upside for sure. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its October and November numbers reporting that there were 58,000 more jobs created in those months than earlier reported. In addition, wage growth was higher than expected. Average…

January 7, 2019

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Market News – December 24, 2018

Market News

FED RAISES RATES: The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate another quarter of a percent on Wednesday. The Fed made it clear that it intends to continue raising rates next year. Fed chair Jerome Powell emphasized the continued strength of U.S. economic growth despite the recent strains caused by weaker growth in Europe and…

December 24, 2018

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Market News – December 17, 2018

Market News

U.S. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES:  After moving down 0.2% in October, industrial production in the U.S. rose 0.6% in November.  Manufacturing remained steady while the utility and mining sectors grew.  Industrial production in the U.S. is now 26% above the recession low and 4% above the pre-recession peak.     FEAR ABOUT GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH SETS…

December 17, 2018

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Market News – December 10, 2018

Market News

NOVEMBER EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS:  In November, the U.S. economy added 155,000 new jobs, a bit lower than the consensus expectations.  The unemployment rate remained 3.7%.  2.443 million jobs have been added in the last twelve months, which remains a solid rate of growth.  Wage growth was encouraging as average hourly earnings increased by 6 cents to…

December 10, 2018

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Market News – December 3, 2018

Market News

TEN YEARS AGO:  On December 1, 2008, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 7.7% in one day, the 12th worst day for the index ever.  Globally, stocks were down close to 50% for the year, and the downward trend would continue for a few more months.  Chrysler, Ford and General Motors were actively seeking a…

December 3, 2018

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Market News – November 19, 2018

Market News

  WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?:  Despite the fact that U.S. corporations have delivered quite a bit lately, markets continued to be volatile, and the S&P 500 recorded a weekly loss.  With 91% of the S&P 500 companies having reported third quarter earnings, profits are up 28% from a year ago.  78% have…

November 19, 2018

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Market News – November 12, 2018

Market News

PUTTING OCTOBER IN THE PAST: Declines in the U.S. stock market on Friday interrupted a very strong week.  Friday’s pullback was a result of concerns about oil prices and global economic growth.  The big rise took place after the U.S. election results.  With a divided congress, anxiety about radical economic policy changes receded.  Markets like…

November 12, 2018

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Market News – November 5, 2018

Market News

STRONG LABOR MARKET CONTINUES:  In October, the U.S. economy added 250,000 jobs.  The Labor Force Participation Rate increased (more people outside the job market jumped back in), and thus the unemployment rate remained at 3.7%.  In fact, the share of Americans in their prime working years, 25-54, who are working or looking for work rose…

November 5, 2018

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Market News – October 29, 2018

Market News

U.S. ECONOMY GROWS AT 3.5% RATE IN THIRD QUARTER:  The United States gross domestic product grew in the third quarter at an annual rate of 3.5%.  Consumers led the way as personal consumption expenditures increased by 4.0% (strongest since 2014).   SCARY OCTOBER: October is shaping up to be one of the worst months in…

October 29, 2018

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