2024 | June 17

The Markets

Stocks Gain

The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ recorded their seventh positive week out of the past eight, with both indexes pushing their record levels higher. The NASDAQ posted a 3.3% total return while the S&P 500 added 1.6%; the Dow was an outlier with a 0.5% decline.

A monthly inflation reading only slightly beat expectations, but it was enough to help fuel stock market gains on Wednesday and lift prospects for a possible interest-rate cut in coming months. The Consumer Price Index recorded no change in May relative to the previous month; on a 12-month basis, May’s inflation figure was 3.3%, better than economists’ forecasts for 3.4%.

Another week of shifting interest-rate expectations produced relatively big moves in the bond market. The yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond fell to 4.21% on Friday, down from 4.43% at the end of the previous week and well below a recent high of 4.62% on May 29. Yields of 30-year and 2-year notes posted similar weekly declines.

For its seventh meeting in a row, the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged. While Chair Jerome Powell said a monthly inflation report released earlier in the day was better than expected, the latest Fed projections suggest the possibility of just one interest-rate cut this year, down from the three cuts that the Fed had projected as recently as March.

Inflation’s persistence appears to be weighing on U.S. consumers, as a measure of consumer sentiment fell to the lowest level in seven months. Friday’s preliminary reading from the University of Michigan’s sentiment survey fell to 65.6 from 69.1 in May. Survey participants’ inflation expectations rose slightly.

The World Bank lifted its full-year 2024 outlook for global economic growth, owing in part to recent improvement in the U.S. outlook. The bank now expects global GDP to post a 2.6% annual growth rate, up from a January forecast of 2.4%. U.S. growth is forecast at 2.5%—nearly a full percentage point higher than the bank had predicted five months ago. 

Source: John Hancock Investment Management

Paystub Analysis

Regards? Sincerely? All the Best?

Historically, the complimentary close – the word or phrase that is before your signature at the end of a letter or email – was a way of communicating the level of respect the writer had for the receiver. Centuries ago, when long-distance communication relied on letter-writing, closes were sometimes quite elaborate. For example, The Los Angeles Times reported that:

• In the 1500s, the viceroy of Spanish America closed a letter to the king of Spain with the words: “Your Sacred Catholic Caesarean Majesty’s faithful servant who kisses your Majesty’s imperial feet.”
• A couple of centuries later, Thomas Jefferson closed a letter to President George Washington this way: “Your most obedient and most humble servant.” It became a popular option.

It can be difficult to choose a sign off because many traditional closes feel tired, awkward, or impersonal. In general, it’s a good idea to consider who you are sending the email to and why you’re sending it. In some situations, ending with a compliment, a motivational statement, or a call to action can be a sound choice, according to one job site’s career guide. For example, you could try:

• Great working with you
• Keep up the good work
• Stay amazing
• Keep your head up
• Sending positive vibes your way
• You can reach me anytime
• Can’t wait to hear from you

Some brave individuals experiment with humor and honesty. If this is your preference, proceed with caution. Here are a few email sign offs that have been shared on social media (many were collected by Renee Hanlon for Parade):

• Lukewarm regards
• Over and out
• Please hesitate to reach out
• If you have any questions, please ask somebody else
• YEET
• May anything you wish upon me happen to you thousandfold
• Don’t stop believin’
• Look out, here comes my name

What’s your go-to email close?

Phone: (615) 709-8709

Fax: (615) 505-3306

eMoney

Charles Schwab

Advyzon

Emily Triano

Operations Manager

emily@ajadvice.com

Maya Laws

Operations Associate

maya@ajadvice.com

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