Interest Rates, Treasuries, and Inflation

Last week, the Presidents’ Day holiday meant markets were only open for 4 trading days, and during that time, we received comparatively few economic reports. Nonetheless, major domestic indexes showed considerable volatility and posted losses for 3 straight days. By Friday, however, stocks rebounded and ended the week in positive territory.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.55%, the Dow added 0.36%, and the NASDAQ was up 1.35%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE lost ground, dropping 0.50%.[3]
What drove market performance last week?
Once again, inflation and interest rates were on many investors’ minds. In particular, multiple reports from the Federal Reserve contributed to performance.
On Wednesday, the Fed released minutes from its January meeting, which indicated that officials had concerns about inflation.[4] The minutes revealed that between rising inflation and economic growth, the Fed sees justification for continued interest-rate increases. In reaction to the news, 10-year Treasury note yields hit their highest level in 4 years.[5]
How do treasury yields and stock prices affect each other?
To say that the interaction between treasuries and stocks is complex would be an understatement. At its most basic, prices for stocks and bonds usually move in opposite directions. When stock prices go up, bond prices drop—and vice versa. For treasuries and other bonds, yields rise when their prices drop. As a result, when the stock market jumps, treasury yields often do, too.[6]
Last Wednesday, however, rising yields may have contributed to a drop in the markets.[7] Why?
Some investors become concerned when 10-year Treasury yields hit 3%, since that percentage level has aligned with bear markets for the past several decades.[8] On Wednesday, the yields hit 2.94%—just a sliver away from that “warning” level.[9]
Please note that the rate-driven analysis triggering this concern is likely far too simple and may not accurately predict what’s ahead.[10] With that said, the concern still has the ability to affect investor reactions.
What happened later in the week?
Friday, the Fed shared more information with a new report on its monetary policy. The details helped allay some investors’ fears of interest rates increasing too quickly. In reaction, yields on 10-year Treasury decreased to 2.87%—and the S&P 500 had its largest gain in weeks.[11]
What’s on the horizon?
After receiving multiple perspectives from the Fed last week—but relatively few new data updates—we should gain significant economic insight this week. From a Gross Domestic Product reading to perspectives on manufacturing and consumer confidence, investors will have many fresh data points to analyze.[12] We will monitor these updates closely and continue to help you stay informed about where the economy stands and what to expect in your financial life.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Monday: New Home Sales
Tuesday: Durable Goods Orders, Consumer Confidence
Wednesday: GDP
Thursday: Motor Vehicle Sales, PMI Manufacturing Index, ISM Mfg Index
Friday: Consumer Sentiment

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 Do You Choose a Tax Preparer?
Choosing a tax preparer isn’t like choosing drapes, a new sofa set, or even a lawn care company. Preparing taxes is serious business. One number in the wrong column, one decimal point out of place, or one missed deduction, and you may be paying big time.
So, how do you find a good, reliable tax preparer who knows what i’s to dot and what t’s to cross? Here are 10 tips from the IRS to help you find the right preparer:

1. Check their qualifications. The IRS’s Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications is a good starting point.
2. Check their history. The Better Business Bureau may identify any red flags. Check for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers.
3. Ask about service fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of the refund or who boast bigger refunds than their competition.
4. Ask to e–file. Taxpayers should make sure their preparer offers IRS e-file.
5. Make sure the preparer is available. Taxpayers may want to contact their preparer after this year’s April 17 due date. Avoid fly-by-night preparers.
6. Provide records and receipts. Good preparers will ask to see a taxpayer’s records and receipts.
7. Never sign a blank return. Don’t use a tax preparer who asks a taxpayer to sign a blank tax form.
8. Review before signing. Before signing a tax return, review it. Ask questions if something is not clear. The preparer should give you a copy of the completed tax return.
9. Ensure the preparer signs and includes a PTIN. All paid tax preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. By law, paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN.
10. Report abusive tax preparers to the IRS. Most tax return preparers are honest and provide great service to their clients. However, some preparers are dishonest. Report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS. UseForm 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed a return without the taxpayer’s consent, the taxpayer should fileForm 14157-A, Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov.[13]
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
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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] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byweek.asp?day=20&month=2&year=2018&cust=wsj-us&lid=0
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/fed-sees-economy-past-full-employment-but-with-only-moderate-wage-gains.html
[2] http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=SPX&region=usa&culture=en-US
http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=%21DJI&region=usa&culture=en-US
http://performance.morningstar.com/Performance/index-c/performance-return.action?t=@CCO
[3] https://www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search
[4] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-why-stock-market-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-the-yield-curve-2018-02-22
[5] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/us-stock-futures-dow-data-earnings-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html
[6] https://finance.zacks.com/correlation-treasuries-stocks-10871.html
[7] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-why-stock-market-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-the-yield-curve-2018-02-22
[8] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/us-stock-futures-dow-data-earnings-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html
[9] https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield
[10] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-why-stock-market-investors-need-to-keep-an-eye-on-the-yield-curve-2018-02-22
[11] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/us-stock-futures-dow-data-earnings-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-22/asian-stocks-set-to-edge-higher-dollar-slides-markets-wrap
[12] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byweek.asp?day=26&month=2&year=2018&cust=wsj-us&lid=0
¹⁴ https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ten-tips-for-choosing-a-tax-preparer