Trade News Moves the Market
WEEKLY UPDATE - MAY 20, 2019
In This Issue
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks fell sharply at the start of last week over trade tensions, then recovered with help from strong earnings and indications that U.S.-China trade talks would continue. Even so, the major indices had a down week. The S&P 500 lost 0.76%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.27%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.69%.

In contrast, the MSCI EAFE benchmark for international stocks rose 0.19%.[1][2]
The Latest Trade Developments
A broad selloff occurred Monday after China announced it would respond to increased U.S. tariffs by boosting its own import taxes on $60 billion of U.S. products. Friday morning, the Street breathed a sigh of relief as the Trump administration decided to delay 25% tariffs planned for imported cars and car parts; they had been slated to take effect on May 18. Just hours later, President Trump announced an end to U.S. tariffs on metals coming from Canada and Mexico.

At midweek, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin told reporters that he expected the U.S. to resume trade negotiations with China in "the near future." [3][4][5] 

Earnings Season Winds Down
The first-quarter earnings scorecard is nearly complete, as more than 90% of S&P 500 companies have reported actual Q1 results.

Stock market analytics firm FactSet notes that 76% of these firms have beaten consensus earnings-per-share estimates. Overall earnings for S&P 500 components have surpassed expectations by 5.4%. Both these percentages are above 5-year averages. [6]

Final Thought
The market is quite sensitive to trade developments at the moment, and it is unclear whether this will be a short-term trend or a long-term influence on prices. While the U.S. prepares its next moves, China also is preparing its response to any new U.S. tariffs, which could include manipulating its currency.

THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Tuesday: The April existing home sales report from the National Association of Realtors.
Wednesday: Minutes from the Federal Reserve's May policy meeting.
Thursday: April new home sales figures from the Census Bureau.

Source: Econoday / MarketWatch Calendar, May 17, 2019
The Econoday and MarketWatch economic calendars list upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Tuesday: AutoZone (AZO), Home Depot (HD), Kohl's (KSS), Nordstrom (JWN)
Wednesday: Analog Devices (ADI), Lowe's (LOW), Target (TGT)
Thursday: Best Buy (BBY), Intuit (INTU), TD Bank (TD)
Friday: Foot Locker (FL)

Source: Morningstar.com, May 17, 2019
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.




"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."

- Coco Chanel
Red and White Roasted Potatoes

Serves 8

Ingredients:
  • 3 lbs. small, similar-sized red and white potatoes
  • ¼ cup good olive oil (can use avocado or a vegetable oil)
  • 1 to 2 tsp. pink Himalayan salt, to taste
  • 1 to 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 to 4 Tbsp. garlic, minced (6 to 8 cloves)
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
Directions:
  1. Set the oven to 400°F. Cut the potatoes in half or quarters, keeping them the same size.
     
  2. Toss them in a stainless-steel bowl with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic until the potatoes are evenly coated.
     
  3. Scatter the potatoes on a sheet pan in one layer, making sure the potatoes are not touching each other.
     
  4. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until browned and crisp. Remove the potatoes from the oven a few times to toss so that they brown evenly.
     
  5. Once the potatoes are done roasting, season more, if needed, then sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.

Recipe adapted from Food Network [7]

Don't Let Your Lie Angles Lie to You

If you haven't checked the lie angle on your clubs, your golf game may be suffering. The lie angle is the angle of the shaft relative to the floor, when the bottom of the club is flat on the ground.

If you're a taller player with an upright swing, a club with a steeper angle is for you. A flatter or lower angle is always a great choice for players who are shorter or who have problems with hooking the ball. It's important to remember that normal use can cause the lie angle of a club to change, which will also make your swings less dependable.

One way to check is by looking at where on the ball you're hitting. If you notice you're hitting the ball close to the toe, your lie angle is probably too flat. If you strike closer to the heel, the angle might be too steep, and your club, too upright.

Adjusting the lie angle on a club is something a club fitter or pro shop can handle for you.


Tip adapted from Golf Tips Magazine [9]

Memorial Day - Offices Closed

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 27th,
in observance of Memorial Day
 
We will return to normal business hours
on Tuesday, May 28th, at 8:00 am. CST
 
Have a blessed Holiday
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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.

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[1] www.wsj.com/market-data

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[3] www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/tough-talk-from-china-leaves-trade-talks-with-u-s-in-limbo-idUSKCN1SN207

[4] www.marketwatch.com/story/mnuchin-says-he-expects-to-go-to-beijing-to-continue-trade-talks-in-the-near-future-2019-05-15

[5] www.npr.org/2019/05/17/724357441/u-s-to-lift-tariffs-on-canadas-and-mexico-s-steel-and-aluminum

[6] insight.factset.com/market-punished-sp-500-companies-reporting-negative-eps-surprises-in-q1

[7] www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-roasted-potatoes-recipe-1913067

[8] www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayers-can-now-instantly-get-tax-info-on-instagram

[9] www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/quick-tips/posture-perfection/

[10] www.healthline.com/nutrition/14-ways-to-eat-less-sugar

[11] www.laserfiche.com/ecmblog/9-sneaky-ways-to-get-employees-to-print-less/

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