As the country celebrated the Fourth of July last week, the markets experienced some volatility, though they finished a bit flat overall.[1] The Dow fell then rose to close the week up 0.30%.[2] The S&P 500 climbed a modest 0.07% for the week, and the NASDAQ finished the week up 0.21%.[3] The MSCI EAFE fell 0.48%.[4]
Internationally, European markets posted soft gains on Friday, though emerging markets fell for a second-straight week.[5] Further, gold dropped to a 5-month low, while bond yields rose globally on weakening bond markets.[6] In addition, world leaders met last week at the G20 Global Summit and issued a statement supporting open markets. They agreed to fight unfair trade practices, such as countries blocking or heavily taxing imports to protect domestic industries.[7]
A Closer Look at U.S. Market News
- Auto Sales Continue to Drop: Auto sales dropped in June by 3% from a year ago. Though vehicle sales are still generally high, numbers in the second half of 2017 are expected to remain soft.[8]
- Employment Numbers Give Mixed Signals: Payroll growth rose a strong 222,000, exceeding expectations of 170,000. The employment growth numbers, along with continuing low unemployment figures, reflect a high demand for workers. However, wage growth remains low at an annual rate of 2.5%.[9]
- Inflation Stays Weak: Inflation came in at a weak 1.4% in May, staying well below the Fed’s target of 2.0%. Despite weak inflation numbers, the Fed appears committed to raise interest rates one more time this year.[10]
- Manufacturing Rises and Falls: The PMI manufacturing index closed at a low 0, down from May’s 52.7 on weak cost pressures and selling prices.[11] Meanwhile, some good news emerged: The ISM manufacturing index surprised expectations of 55.1 and rose to 57.8—the strongest number since August 2014.[12]
- Oil Prices Continue to Slump: Oil dropped to $44.33 per barrel on continuing oversupply concerns.[13] The week’s price erosion comes after a 14% drop in the first half of 2017.[14]
A Look Ahead
On Friday, July 14, key economic data will emerge such as consumer price index, retail sales, and consumer sentiment.[15] As we look to the second half of 2017, a variety of developments could boost markets: strong corporate earnings, strengthening wage rates, and growing global trade and Gross Domestic Products (GDPs).[16]
We want to remind you to avoid letting geopolitical ups and downs sway your investment focus. Instead, stay tuned to the fundamentals as you work toward your long-term goals. Feel free to contact us for any perspectives that can help you make sense of your financial life.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
Wednesday: Beige Book
Thursday: Jobless Claims
Friday: Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Industrial Production, Business Inventories, Consumer Sentiment
| DATA AS OF 7/7/2017 | 1 WEEK | SINCE 1/1/17 | 1 YEAR | 5 YEAR | 10 YEAR |
| STANDARD & POOR’S 500 | 0.07% | 8.32% | 15.60% | 12.35% | 4.71% |
| DOW | 0.30% | 8.36% | 19.66% | 10.89% | 4.64% |
| NASDAQ | 0.21% | 14.30% | 26.17% | 15.94% | 8.72% |
| INTERNATIONAL | -0.48% | 11.29% | 18.38% | 5.80% | -2.03% |
| DATA AS OF 7/7/2017 | 1 MONTH | 6 MONTHS | 1 YEAR | 5 YEAR | 10 YEAR |
| TREASURY YIELDS (CMT) | 0.94% | 1.14% | 1.22% | 1.95% | 2.39% |
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.
How to Deduct Losses from a Disaster*
When a natural disaster damages taxpayers’ homes or personal properties, they typically can deduct expenses on their federal tax return. Taxpayers who live in a federal-disaster-designated location, may be able to reclaim losses more quickly.
Here are some tips for deducting losses from a disaster:
- File Form 4684: To claim your deduction, complete and file Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts.
- Deduct for Correct Year: You will need to claim your deduction for the tax year you experienced damages from a natural disaster. You also can deduct from an original or amended tax return for the immediately prior year.
- Make an Insurance Claim: In order to deduct your losses, you will need to file a timely claim with your insurance provider. If you do not file your claim or have insurance coverage to do so, you will not be able to deduct the loss from your tax return.
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 courtesy of IRS.gov[17]
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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 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] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-07/motion-sickness-grips-stocks-on-eve-of-a-healthy-earnings-season
[2] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=%21DJI®ion=usa&culture=en-US
[3] 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=@CCO
[4] https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search
[5] http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-stocks-idUSKBN19S0VT
http://www.reuters.com/article/emerging-markets-idUSL8N1JY1VU
[6] http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/07/gold-on-track-for-5th-straight-weekly-loss-after-strong-jobs-report.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-06/bond-rout-deepens-as-asia-stocks-set-to-join-drop-markets-wrap
[7] http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/08/g-20-communique-agreed-apart-from-climate-issue–eu-officials.html
[8] https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/07/03/june-2017-auto-sales/447511001/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/06/30/auto-sales-like-continue-falling/103314604/
[9] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=477421&cust=wsj-us&year=2017&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=477453&cust=wsj-us&year=2017&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[10] http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/03/expect-one-more-u-s-rate-hike-this-year-even-if-ivanka-trump-is-leading-the-fed-ubs-economist-says.html
[11] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=478122&cust=wsj-us&year=2017&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[12] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=477878&cust=wsj-us&year=2017&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[13] http://www.cnbc.com/markets/
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/other-culprits-oil-price-crash-230000013.html
[14] http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/29/crude-oil-prices-firm-set-for-biggest-weekly-gain-since-mid-may.html
[15] http://www.barrons.com/mdc/public/page/9_3063-economicCalendar.html?mod=BOL_Nav_MAR_other
[16] http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/997531493655496869/Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2017-Highlights-Chapter-1.pdf
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-06/bond-rout-deepens-as-asia-stocks-set-to-join-drop-markets-wrap
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/05/the-global-economy-is-doing-something-it-hasnt-done-in-7-years.html?__source=newsletter%7Ceveningbrief
[17] https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/tips-to-know-for-deducting-losses-from-a-disaster
