SEASON'S GREETINGS
 
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday
and a very happy new year!
 
From all of us at Blattel & Associates
Bob          Scott         Kate         Dan          Scott          Kim          Lisa


Tax Plan Boosts Stocks
BI-WEEKLY UPDATE - DECEMBER 18, 2017
In This Issue
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.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.92%, the Dow added 1.33%, and the NASDAQ grew by 1.41%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE increased 0.13%.[3] 
The House and Senate may vote on the tax plan this 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. [4]  

However, while tax reform was a major topic last week, we also received a number of other economic updates. Two key events are worth noting: increasing interest rates and soaring retail sales.  
  • The Federal Reserve Raised Rates
The Fed increased the benchmark interest rate for the third time this year, raising it a quarter percent to be between 1.25% and 1.5%. Credit cards, home equity lines of credit, and adjustable-rate mortgages could all become more expensive as a result of the latest increase. [5]  
  • Retail Sales Soared
Consumer spending was far higher than expected in November, growing 0.8% over the previous month's numbers. This increase could contribute to strong economic growth in the fourth quarter. [6]  

Together, this week's market performance and economic updates may paint a picture of a healthy end to a year of significant growth. We will continue to monitor both geopolitical developments and economic data as they emerge. We look forward to seeing what is on the horizon for the rest of 2017 - and for the year ahead. As always, if you have any questions, we're here to talk.  


ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Monday: Housing Market Index
Tuesday: Housing Starts
Wednesday: Existing Home Sales
Thursday: GDP,Jobless Claims
Friday: Durable Goods Orders, New Home Sales, Consumer Sentiment




Blattel News
Calendar

December 25 & 26: Office Closed
Our office will be closed for the Christmas Holiday.
 
January 1: Office Closed
Our office will be closed for New Year's Day .
 
First Quarter of 2018: New Office Location
We will be moving to a new office, located at 1258 Jungermann Road in St. Peters, in early 2018. We will communicate with you once we have an official moving date. 


Year-End Reminders
  • Allow for extra time. Please remember that the holiday season will affect timing on withdrawals and other transactions. Please allow for extra time to process your requests from now until the end of the year.
  • Contributions to IRAS & Roth IRAs. In 2017, you can contribute a maximum of $5,500 or $6,500 if you are age 50 or over. Remember, you have to have taxable income to contribute to an IRA, but if you are married and filing jointly, you can each make contributions even if only one of you is working. Speak to a tax advisor to learn about how your deductions will be affected by an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
  • Take your RMD. If you are at least age 70½, you are required to take minimum distributions from your traditional IRA - but not your Roth. You are generally required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) by December 31, though you have until April 15, 2018 if you turned 70½ in 2017. Please make sure to verify that you have taken your RMD from any IRA accounts that are not managed by us.

"Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great
and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself."

- Cicero

Brown Sugar Roll-Out Cookies
Contributed by Lisa

Makes : 2 1/2 dozen cookies


Ingredients:  
  • 3/4 c. unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 c. light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbsp. orange juice
  • 2 tsp. grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3 c. all-purpose flour
Directions:

Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, zest , and orange juice. Mix until fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients a cupful or so at a time until all of the dry mixture is incorporated. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it's sticky, add flour little by little until it isn't.

Divide dough into three parts, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Roll to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes. Dusting lightly with flour as needed.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes until tops are not shiny.

 
Photos also contributed by Lisa, and are the results of her last batch of Brown Sugar Roll-Out cookies.


Know the Signs of Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a condition that results in bone softening - which differs from bone thinning (osteoporosis). Most commonly developed from deep deficiencies in Vitamin D and calcium, other contributors like kidney or liver disorders can also cause osteomalacia. Older adults are often prone to developing this condition, which can lead to bone fractures.
 
What are the symptoms?
In the first stages of developing osteomalacia, you may experience no symptoms, even if an X-ray picks up on the condition. As it worsens, you may start feeling pain in your bones and muscles, most commonly in the following areas:
  • Legs
  • Lower back
  • Hips
  • Pelvis
  • Ribs
The pain often worsens at night or whenever you put pressure on your bones. Eventually, you may end up having difficulty walking due to muscle weakness. Consult your doctor if you or a loved one may have symptoms.


Tip adapted from Mayo Clinic [10]
Share the Wealth of Knowledge!
 
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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 S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are the leading measures of U.S. residential real estate prices, tracking changes in the value of residential real estate. The index is made up of measures of real estate prices in 20 cities and weighted to produce the index.

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.

These are the views of Platinum Advisor Marketing Strategies, LLC, and not necessarily those of the named representative, Broker dealer or Investment Advisor, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named representative nor the named Broker dealer or Investment Advisor gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.

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Robert J. Blattel & Scott A. Blattel
Blattel & Associates
1 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Suite 260
Saint Peters, MO 63376
(636) 397-8303
[email protected]
http://www.blattels.com

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