Week of 4/14/2022

The markets and our office will be closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday. We wish a Happy Easter to all who observe the holiday! The First Quarter 2022 Market Recap is available here, a concise summary of a turbulent 3 months! For an update on April’s market risk factors, this post has a helpful rundown.

Many of us have heard of households where everyone tests positive for Covid except for one or two members. Is this genetic resistance? Scientists are investigating. Amazon has introduced a robot, Astro, intended to be a home helper. The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern explains that the product has promise, but isn’t very helpful yet. Here are 10 phrases that might indicate that you are in a negotiation. Why does this matter? Author Chris Voss says: “Any communication in which you want agreement, influence, action, referrals, or satisfaction is a negotiation. The commodities of negotiation are information, time, money, cooperation, and happiness—specifically, your happiness.” Tumors caused by some types of cancer show increased iron uptake and metabolism. Scientists have used this to create drugs that are activated by iron, creating a selective cancer therapy that does not cause adverse effects to healthy cells and tissues. They hope to develop therapies for human patients. Several years ago, a Hong Kong potato chip factory found a WWI grenade in a shipment of potatoes grown in France. Thank goodness they found it before the slicer.

Q: What’s the trajectory for interest rates? It seems like they are getting higher across the board A: That’s right, and the Federal Reserve seems intent on a steady increase in the Fed Funds rate to fight inflation. It should have an effect on some of the key drivers of inflation over the past several years, especially housing. We think the economy has enough momentum to continue growing and so the Fed won’t push us into recession right away. We know we say this every time, but in most cases your own needs and goals should be the primary driver for any investment changes. On the plus side, interest rates for savings and money market accounts have already increased. While not enough to keep up with inflation, it will provide some relief for the money that shouldn’t be exposed to market risk.

‌ ‌ ‌ Advisory Services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Securities and additional advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services offered through Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc, are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Lowry Financial Advisors, Inc. is located at 12921 SW 1st Rd, Suite 215, Tioga, FL 32669. 352-333-7990 Lowry Financial Advisors is the only advisory firm that helps its clients reach their goals through The Achieving Simplicity® Experience™, providing clarity and confidence in their personal and financial lives.