In the final trading days of a strong 2017, U.S. indexes lost some ground. During the holiday-shortened week, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.36%, the Dow lost 0.14%, and the NASDAQ gave back 0.81%.[1] A selloff toward the end of the day on Friday contributed to the domestic indexes’ weekly losses.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE ended the week in positive territory, gaining 0.89%.[3]
Despite the losses, all three major domestic indexes experienced their best year since 2013.[4] During 2017, the Dow hit 71 record highs, and the NASDAQ gained in all but 1 month for the first time ever.[5]
Overall, indexes posted the following growth for the year:
In addition to sizeable gains, there was also very little market volatility in 2017. The S&P 500 only had 8 days when it lost or gained 1% or more. In 2016, the index had 48 days with at least 1% movement, and 2015 had 71 such days.[10]
With high growth and low volatility, it’s little wonder that consumer confidence has reached its highest levels in 17 years. However, considering we are almost 9 years into this historic bull market, can the growth continue?[11] Let’s take a look at a few economic indicators to examine where we are and what might be on the horizon.
Economic Highlights
- Gross Domestic Product: Economic growth picked up in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and analysts believe the expansion could continue in 2018.[12]
- Labor: The unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% by October 2017, and some analysts believe it could fall even more in 2018.[13]
- Inflation: While inflation is below the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal, the most recent readings show a healthy increase. If inflation continues on this path, the Fed will likely continue to slowly increase interest rates in 2018.[14]
Tax Changes in 2018
Many people are wondering how the new tax plan will affect markets and the economy in 2018.
On January 1, a number of changes went into effect, including new tax brackets for citizens and a permanent tax rate reduction for corporations.[15] As a result, this law may impact both economic performance and your individual bottom line.
If you have any questions about how to prepare for what lies ahead—or want more details on what we expect in 2018—contact us any time.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Monday: Markets Closed for New Year’s Day
Tuesday: PMI Manufacturing Index
Wednesday: Motor Vehicle Sales, ISM Mfg Index, Construction Spending
Thursday: ADP Employment Report, Jobless Claims
Friday: Employment Situation, Factory Orders, ISM Non-Mfg Index
| DATA AS OF 12/29/2017 | 1 WEEK | SINCE 1/1/17 | 1 YEAR | 5 YEAR | 10 YEAR |
| STANDARD & POOR’S 500 | -0.36% | 19.42% | 19.42% | 13.39% | 6.18% |
| DOW | -0.14% | 25.08% | 25.08% | 13.53% | 6.42% |
| NASDAQ | -0.81% | 28.24% | 28.24% | 17.98% | 10.04% |
| INTERNATIONAL | 0.89% | 21.78% | 21.78% | 5.04% | -0.94% |
| DATA AS OF 12/29/2017 | 1 MONTH | 6 MONTHS | 1 YEAR | 5 YEAR | 10 YEAR |
| TREASURY YIELDS (CMT) | 1.28% | 1.53% | 1.76% | 2.20% | 2.40% |
Notes: All index returns (except S&P 500) exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized. The total returns for the S&P 500 assume reinvestment of dividends on the last day of the month. This may account for differences between the index returns published on Morningstar.com and the index returns published elsewhere. International performance is represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
Keep Your Data Safe Online
As more and more of our lives go online, we must take measures to actively protect ourselves. From credit card information to Social Security numbers, and more, a trove of data exists that can put you at risk. Here are some tips to help you keep your data safe online.
- Shop on secure websites: A website has better safety measures in place when it lists an “s” in its website address (URL). Shop safely online by only using websites that start with “https.”
- Avoid financial transactions on unsecured WiFi: Public wireless accounts can be helpful to use when you need to access the internet, but they can leave you vulnerable. To protect your data, never do any financial transactions on unsecured public WiFi.
- Sign up for alerts: Many accounts allow you to sign up for alerts in order to receive notifications on any suspicious activity. Make sure you opt into these communications to stay ahead of odd account behavior.
Other details may apply, and you can find more information on the IRS website.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[16]
Share the Wealth of Knowledge!
Please share this market update with family, friends, or colleagues.
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 Marketing 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] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=SPX®ion=usa&culture=en-US
http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=%21DJI®ion=usa&culture=en-US
http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=@CCO
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/29/us-stocks-open-higher-sp-500-tracking-for-best-year-since-2013.html
[3] https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search
[4] http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/29/investing/stocks-2017-wall-street/index.html
[5] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/29/us-stocks-open-higher-sp-500-tracking-for-best-year-since-2013.html
[6] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=SPX®ion=usa&culture=en-US
[7] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=%21DJI®ion=usa&culture=en-US
[8] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=@CCO
[9] https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search
[10] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/29/us-stocks-open-higher-sp-500-tracking-for-best-year-since-2013.html
[11] http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/29/investing/stocks-2017-wall-street/index.html
[12] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/21/us-final-reading-on-q3-2017-gdp.html
[13] https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000
https://www.thebalance.com/us-economic-outlook-3305669
[14] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-22/u-s-consumer-spending-tops-forecasts-as-inflation-accelerates
[15] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/28/tax-changes-are-coming-monday-heres-when-it-will-affect-you.html
[16] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/national-tax-security-awareness-week-eight-steps-to-keep-online-data-safe
