Markets Increase

Markets were closed on March 30 for Good Friday, but in the four days of trading, stocks recovered some of this year’s losses.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 added 2.09%, the Dow gained 2.67%, and the NASDAQ increased by 1.03%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE grew 0.81%.[3]
Last week also marked the end of the year’s 1^st quarter. Our next market update will share a recap of key performance details and events from January through March.
In this report, we will consider findings from last week and offer some perspective on the data.
What We Learned Last Week
The Economy Expanded More Than Thought
We received the final reading of 4^th quarter 2017 Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the numbers were higher than expected. Between October and December last year, GDP grew at a 2.9% annualized rate. In particular, consumer spending contributed significantly to our economic growth.[4]
Consumers Remained Confident
Consumer Sentiment readings reached a 14-year high in March and may be a sign that spending was also on the rise last month.[5] Meanwhile, the Consumer Confidence report showed slightly lower readings than in February but continued to stay high. Though respondents’ confidence in the stock market wavered, their strong assessments of the labor market helped maintain solid numbers.[6]
Personal Incomes Rose
Personal income grew 0.4% in February and has increased 3.7% over the past 12 months. Consumers also spent more money, and data on personal debt and financial obligations indicates that they still have more room to spend.[7]
The Takeaway
Examined together, this data seems to indicate that consumers are confident about the economy and their job prospects—and are continuing to earn and spend more.
Considering that approximately 69% of the U.S. economy comes from consumer spending, these developments should be positive news.[8]
That said, every market environment has risks, and no economy is perfect. We are here to help you navigate your finances and make sense of developing news. If you have any questions, contact us any time.
ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Monday: PMI Manufacturing Index, ISM Mfg Index, Construction Spending
Tuesday: Motor Vehicle Sales
Wednesday: ADP Employment Report, Factory Orders, ISM Non-Mfg Index
Thursday: Jobless Claims
Friday: Employment Situation

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 Reduce Damage from Data Theft
Today’s thieves no longer have to lurk in dark alleys. The World Wide Web provides plenty of opportunities for cyber criminals to rob you of your valuables. They want to steal your identity, which they can use to sell to others, withdraw money from your bank account, make credit card purchases, or file fraudulent tax returns to obtain refunds.
What do you do if you fall victim to identity or data theft?
The IRS offers tips for victims to salvage the damage and repair the data breaches:

• Attempt to determine what information the thieves stole, which may include emails, passwords, or Social Security numbers.
• Use credit-monitoring services.
• Freeze credit accounts to block access to records.
• Reset passwords on accounts. Use different passwords for each account.
• Use layered authentication to access accounts.
• The agency recommends taxpayers retain copies of their tax returns.

* 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.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov[9]
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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] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/29/us-stock-futures-dow-data-tech-and-politics-on-the-agenda.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] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=485677&cust=wsj-us&year=2018&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[5] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=485847&cust=wsj-us&year=2018&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[6] http://wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=485916&cust=wsj-us&year=2018&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top
[7] https://www.ftportfolios.com/Commentary/EconomicResearch/2018/3/29/personal-income-rose-0.4percent-in-february
[8] https://www.thebalance.com/consumer-spending-trends-and-current-statistics-3305916
[9] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/steps-victims-can-take-to-minimize-effect-of-data-theft