Virus Anxieties Affect Stocks
BI-WEEKLY UPDATE - FEBRUARY  24, 2020
In This Issue
The Week on Wall Street
Traders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.
    
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's January Meeting
Last month, members of the Federal Open Market Committee felt the near-term outlook for the economy had improved slightly since the last Fed meeting in December. The minutes did note that the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak "warranted close watching."
  
Some analysts have wondered, if the coronavirus threat heightens whether the Fed might cut short-term interest rates this year. The FOMC voted 11-0 in January to leave rates alone.[3]

Fewer Home Sales, But More Building Permits
Sales of existing homes weakened 1.3% in January, according to a new National Association of Realtors report. On the new home front, the Census Bureau said that the rate of permits for new residential construction neared a 13-year high last month.[4][5]
 
Final Thought
At Friday's closing bell, gold was worth $1,646.60 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold futures traded at a seven-year peak on Friday morning.[6]
  
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Tuesday: The Conference Board's monthly Consumer Confidence Index.
Wednesday: A January new home buying report from the Census Bureau.
Thursday: The second estimate of fourth-quarter economic growth from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Friday: January consumer spending numbers from the Department of Commerce, and the final February Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan (an assessment of consumer confidence levels).
  
Source: MarketWatch, February 21, 2020
The MarketWatch economic calendar lists 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.

Blattel News
Tax Document Dates
For the 2019 tax year, the dates for printing and mailing recipient copies are as follows:
  • 1099-Rs (IRAs) now available.
  • 1099-Bs (non-Qualified) available on:
    • SEI mail date: February 14 &/or February 28
      • Will be produced & mailed in 2 batches; your mail date will depend on when SEI receives the information on the holdings within your account.
  • FCC mail date: February 18
Helpful phone numbers:
  • SEI - Call Us - 636-397-8303
  • First Clearing 1-800-727-0304
  • IRS help line 1-800-829-1040
If you or your tax preparer need us to help gather any information, please give us sufficient notice to fulfill your request. For those clients who took a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) last year, make sure to give your tax preparer your 2019 QCD amount, whether or not they specifically ask for it. Do not hesitate to call our office at 636-397-8303 with any questions.
 
Blattel & Associates does not provide tax advice.  Please consult with your tax advisor with regard to your personal situation.


Calendar
March 4: Client Event
We are hosting a special client lunch seminar. Click below to RSVP.

 

Blattel & Associates Luncheon Seminar

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM CST

Please join us for a lunch buffet and a special presentation by Dean Mioli, SEI Director of Planning, on "How the SECURE Act Impacts You" at Old Hickory Golf Club.

 
March 28: Client Event
Save the date for our semi-annual client breakfast seminar. Invitations will be mailed and emailed at the beginning of next month.

April 10: Office Closed
Our office will be closed for Good Friday. Markets are also closed.
 
April 15: Tax Day


"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. "

-  Zig Ziglar
Salmon Teriyaki

Serves 2-4
 
Ingredients:
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
     
  • ¼ cup water
     
  • 1½  Tbsp. brown sugar
     
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
     
  • 1 tsp. ginger, minced
     
  • 2 tsp. clover honey
     
  • ½ tsp. toasted sesame oil
     
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
     
  • 4 salmon fillets

  • Salt and pepper, to taste
     
  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
     
  • 1½ Tbsp. sesame seeds
     
  • 1½ Tbsp. green onions
Directions:
  1. Mix soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, clover honey, and toasted sesame oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Keep stirring until the brown sugar dissolves.
     
  2. Bring to boil over high heat.
     
  3. Add 1 Tbsp. of cold water to cornstarch and stir until dissolved. Pour into sauce.
     
  4. Boil mixture for 1 to 2 minutes and set aside.
     
  5. Season salmon with salt and pepper.
     
  6. Oil skillet with vegetable oil.
     
  7. Sear salmon over high heat, skin side up, for five minutes or until achieving a golden crust.
     
  8. Turn over and cook the other side for five minutes or until fully cooked.
     
  9. Drizzle sauce over salmon and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
 
Recipe adapted from DinnerattheZoo.com[7]


Keeping Your Heart Rate Up (When Temperatures Are Down)

Colder weather can steal our motivation to leave the warmth of our homes unless we have to. But your workouts don't need to stop during the winter. Here are a few ways you can feel the burn indoors, while Mother Nature keeps it cool outside.
  • Hop to it with a rebounder (a mini trampoline) or a jump rope. If you have neither, fake it by keeping your hands to your sides and rotate them to mimic the exercise sans equipment. 
     
  • Find a YouTube video or other streaming guided workout. Can't squeeze in a full half hour at once? Pause it and return when you're ready.
     
  • If you can afford it, invest in a piece of workout equipment you know you'll use. If you run or hike, consider a treadmill with an adjustable incline. Like to ride your bike? Think about getting a stationary one.
There are lots of ways to stay fit while winter rages on outside. But don't forget to always make sure to discuss any medical concerns with your health care provider before beginning any fitness routine; the information provided is not a substitute for medical advice.
 
 
Tip adapted from RealSimple.com[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 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 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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[1]  www.wsj.com/market-data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Robert J. Blattel & Scott A. Blattel
Blattel & Associates
1258 Jungermann Road
Saint Peters, MO 63376
(636) 397-8303
blattel@blattels.com
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