Many Reasons to Give Thanks
Weekly Update - November 28, 2016
During a week while many were thankful, the markets gave us much to be thankful for. Through the four-day trading week, the Dow gained 1.51%, the S&P 500 was up 1.44%, the NASDAQ added 1.45%, and the MSCI EAFE increased 1.26%.
 
What Happened This Week?
 
The S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ hit all-time highs: For the third straight week, the three major domestic indexes increased-and they all reached record highs.  By market close on Friday, November 25, the S&P 500 was at 2,213.33, the Dow reached 19,152.14, and the NASDAQ was up to 5,398.92.  Each of the indexes is now up over 7% for the year.
 
U.S. Dollar/ Euro move closer together: A combination of positive news in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in Europe have moved the dollar and euro increasingly closer together for the past three weeks. In fact, Deutsche Bank now predicts parity between the two currencies by the second quarter of 2017- and the dollar to be worth more than the euro by the third quarter.   The two currencies have not had equal value since November 2002. At the euro's highest in July 2008, it was worth more than 1.6 times as much as the dollar.
A rising dollar signals our economic strength but can also negatively affect exports. While we wait to see whether EUR/USD parity is ahead, we will say: If you have European travels planned, the favorable exchange rate is certain to be welcome news.
Oil continues to falter: Of course, not everything can be perfect in the markets. Oil continued its patchy performance to close at $47.24 on Friday.   OPEC meets this week, and no one knows whether they will be able to reach a deal for oil producers to curb production. As of now, the markets are still oversaturated with oil, but we're significantly above the 10-year low of below $30 per barrel that we reached earlier this year.  If production stabilizes and prices rise to a more sustainable level, then oil companies will be better able to invest in new long-term projects. For the meantime, enjoy the low gas prices while they last - as we all wait to see how OPEC and the major oil producers decide to move forward.
As we've mentioned in recent market updates, the Federal Reserve's December meeting remains the next big event on the economic calendar. The odds of an interest-rate increase are now nearly 100%. But if 2016 has shown us anything, it's that even highly predicted outcomes don't always occur. In the meantime, we remain thankful for the recent market growth and continue to focus on your long-term interests. As always, we appreciate you trusting us to care for your family and financial future.

Economic Calendar
Tuesday: GDP
Wednesday: ADP Employment Report, Personal Income and Outlays
Thursday: Motor Vehicle Sales, Jobless Claims, PMI Manufacturing Report
Friday: Employment Situation

Data as of 11/25/2016
1-Week
Since 1/1/16
1-Year
5-Year
10-Year
Standard & Poor's 500
1.44%
8.29%
5.96%
18.21%
5.80%
DOW
1.51%
9.91%
7.52%
14.10%
5.60%
NASDAQ
1.45%
7.82%
5.53%
24.23%
11.94%
U.S. Corporate Bond Index
 
-0.11%
4.76%
4.15%
4.35%
6.59%
International
1.26%
-5.95%
-6.76%
2.88%
-1.98%
Data as 11/25/2016
1 mo.
6 mo.
1 yr.
5 yr.
10 yr.
Treasury Yields (CMT)
0.34%
0.62%
0.81%
1.83%
2.36%

Notes: All index returns exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized. Sources: Yahoo! Finance and  Treasury.gov. International performance is represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Corporate bond performance is represented by the DJCBP. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and canno be invested into directly.
 "No man ever made a great discovery without the exercise of the imagination. "

- George Henry Lewes
Coconut Rice Custard
A delicious and gluten free dessert that's easy to make.
Serves 4 - 6
 
Ingredients:
 
1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup long-grain white rice
3 cups half-and-half
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
 
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Heat a kettle of water to near boiling.
  2. Bring coconut milk, water, and 1/4 cup sugar to a boil in a small saucepan.
  3. Stir in the rice once the liquid is boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
  4. While the rice is cooking, warm the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium heat - do not allow it to boil. Whisk the eggs, vanilla, and remaining sugar together in a bowl. Slowly pour the warm half-and-half into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Stir in the cooked rice.
  5. Pour mixture into an 8x8-inch baking dish. Set the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan or baking dish and transfer to middle oven rack. Carefully pour enough hot water into the larger dish to reach halfway up the sides of the smaller dish.
  6. Bake approximately one hour, until the custard is set.
  7. Serve warm or chilled.
 
Recipe courtesy of Sara Quessenberry | RealSimple.com


Deducting Medical and Dental Expenses
If you're planning to deduct any healthcare expenses on your federal taxes, you should know about the following rules:
  • The amount of allowable medical expenses you must exceed before you can claim a deduction is 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), unless you or your spouse are age 65 or older. In this case, the AGI threshold is 7.5%. This exception will be valid through December 31, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2017, the threshold will be 10% for all taxpayers.
  • You should also keep in mind that only expenses paid in 2016 are eligible for deductions on 2016 taxes. If you paid by check, you can consider the day you mailed or delivered the check to be the date of payment. 
  • You can only claim medical or dental expenses if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. 
Tip courtesy of Mike Patton | Forbes.com

Reach For the Driver
Drivers have exploded in size in recent years, making them bigger, longer, and much more forgiving. The next time you're faced with a choice between your driver and a fairway wood on a tight hole, consider reaching for the driver. You could choke down on the grip, tee the ball lower, or even make a 3/4 swing to mimic a fairway wood while still taking advantage of the driver's forgiving nature.

Tip courtesy of A.J. Bonar & Ryan Noll | Golf Tips Mag


Home Remedies That Work
Honey for a cough. A Pennsylvania study found that honey can help reduce coughing in children and adults.
 
Liquid dish soap for poison ivy. If you run into poison ivy, washing the affected area with dish soap within two hours may help prevent the itchy rash.
 
Ginger for upset stomach and motion sickness. Some studies have shown that small doses of fresh or powdered ginger can help relieve symptoms of nausea.                                              
Tip courtesy of Candy Sagon | AARP Bulletin


Cut Your Energy Bill in Cold Weather
If cold weather is pushing your heating bills sky high, you can do a few things to lower the expenses.
  • Cut back the heat. Dialing back the thermostat even two degrees can save you hundreds of dollars a year - enough to buy sweaters and slippers for the whole family.
  • Insulate your water tank. By doing so, you'll keep heat from escaping.
  • Clean your furnace filter. If you've been running the furnace more than usual, it's probably time to clean the filter. Change your air conditioner and furnace filters every month for maximum efficiency.
Tip courtesy of Memphis Light, Gas and Water


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The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
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