May 2024 - Research Financial Strategies

This Memorial Day…

by Jim Streight | May 24, 2024 | Noteworthy

Memorial Day is so much more than a long weekend.

It is a chance for us to remember those who gave all for this great nation and the freedoms it offers.

This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country, and we honor their courage.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful Memorial Day.

Weekly Market Insights: Investors Anticipate Fed Rate Change

by Jim Streight | May 20, 2024 | Weekly Stock Market Commentary

Stocks notched a solid gain last week in a mega-cap, tech-led rally bolstered by positive inflation news.

Dow 40,000

The week began quietly as market averages traded in a tight range, awaiting fresh inflation news.

On Tuesday, markets rose steadily throughout the day after digesting a mixed wholesale inflation report.1

The next day, a cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report sparked a broad-based rally as the upbeat news raised investors’ hopes for a rate cut. The Nasdaq Composite and Standard & Poor’s 500 (which ended above 5300 for the first time) closed the day up 1.4 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the bellwether 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.35 percent.2,3

Investors took a break as the week ended, mostly yawning at mixed economic data. Notably, the Dow closed just above 40,000 on Friday.

Inflated Expectations

With the two critical inflation updates last week, attention shifted to the Federal Reserve’s next steps with interest rates.

The top-level CPI numbers (known as headline inflation) tend to be less important than what’s underneath: core inflation (CPI minus volatile food and energy prices) in the Fed’s eye. Core CPI came in at 0.29 percent for April, just below the 0.30 percent from Wall Street. It was the first time the core CPI was lower than forecasts in three months. The news revived speculation that the Fed might consider a rate adjustment as early as September.4,5

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Fed Officials Michael Barr, Raphael Bostic, Christopher Waller, and Philip Jefferson speak for the first time.

Tuesday: Fed Officials Michael Barr, Raphael Bostic, Christopher Waller, and Philip Jefferson speak again. John Williams speaks for the first time for the week.

Wednesday: Existing Home Sales. 20-Year Treasury Bond Auction. FOMC Meeting Minutes.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. New Home Sales. Fed Balance Sheet.

Friday: Durable Goods. Consumer Sentiment.

Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; May 17, 2024
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)

Tuesday: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW)

Wednesday: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Target Corporation (TGT)

Thursday: Intuit Inc. (INTU)

Source: Zacks, May 17, 2024
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”

– Amelia Earhart

Starting A New Hobby? These Tips Can Help You Understand The Tax Situation

Whether you pick up painting or cook new concoctions in your kitchen, starting a new hobby is always fun and a great avenue to learn something new. However, there are some important tax considerations when starting a new hobby, especially if you are considering turning your newfound passion into a business.

Taxpayers must report any income earned from hobbies, even if it does not involve a licensed business. While businesses should make a profit, hobbies are primarily recreation. The following nine factors can guide you in determining whether a hobby could also be considered a business, according to the IRS:

Whether you execute the activity in a businesslike manner and maintain complete and accurate books and records.
Whether you have personal motives in performing the activity.
Whether the time and effort you expend in the activity indicate that you intend to make it profitable.
Whether you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood.
Whether your losses are due to circumstances beyond your control (or are normal in the startup phase of your type of business).
Whether you or your financial professional understand how to parlay the activity into a successful business.
Whether you successfully made a profit through similar activities in the past.
Whether the activity will make a profit in some years and how much profit it will make.
Whether you can profit from appreciating the assets used in the activity.

You can also deduct some of the expenses associated with your hobby. Within certain limits, taxpayers can typically deduct ordinary and necessary hobby expenses. An ordinary expense is common and accepted for the activity, while a necessary expense is appropriate.

*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 professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov6

3 Stretches For Your Lower Back

We spend so much time sitting in our cars and at our desks that it’s no wonder that our lower backs can become tight and even sore. These three lower back stretches will help improve your flexibility and recovery and may even help if you have lower back pain.

Figure 4 Stretch: The Figure 4 stretch will stretch your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. To do the stretch, lay on your back with both feet on the ground. Then, cross your left foot over your right knee. Gently bring your right leg to a 90-degree angle. If you would like to increase the intensity of the stretch, grab the back of your thigh and bring your right knee toward your torso. Repeat on the other side.
Inner Thigh Stretch/Butterfly Stretch: This stretch addresses your inner thigh and lower back. Sit on the ground and bring your feet together in front of your knees with the soles of your feet touching. Let your knees fall to the side. To increase the stretch, bring your feet closer to your torso.
Pigeon Pose: To assume the pigeon pose, bring one leg to 90 degrees from your torso and stretch the other leg behind you so your right calf is perpendicular to your hips. To intensify the stretch, bend at the hips over your front leg. Repeat on both sides.

Tip adapted from Very Well Fit7

Rigid is my spine, my innards are mostly pale, yet I am always ready to tell a tale. What am I?

Last week’s riddle: What should the following number be in this series: 103, 107, 109, 113, 127, ___ ? Answer: 131, as the whole series is made up of prime numbers.

Bullring Shopping Centre Birmingham, England, UK

Footnotes And Sources

1. CNBC.com, May 14, 2024

2. The Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2024

3. CNBC.com, May 17, 2024

4. CNBC.com, May 14, 2024

5. The Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2024

6. IRS.gov, November 15, 2023

7. Very Well Fit, January 24, 2023

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise, Anticipating Rate Cut

by Jim Streight | May 13, 2024 | Weekly Stock Market Commentary

Stocks notched a solid gain last week as rate-cut expectations paced the rally as the Q1 earnings season wound down.

Stocks Climb Steadily

Monday opened with stocks picking up where they left off the prior Friday. Stocks were still basking in the afterglow of fresh jobs data, which eased investor concerns of an overheating economy. That and reports of a possible Middle East ceasefire fueled Monday’s rally.¹

Stocks hung out in a narrow trading band Tuesday and Wednesday, yawning at the sparse economic news and a handful of negative earnings results. By contrast, the Nasdaq edged lower over those two days.^2,3

On Thursday, the S&P 500 closed above 5,200 for the first time since early April. The next day, stocks rallied, and the Dow clinched its eighth consecutive day of gains, the longest winning streak since December and its best weekly performance this year. Fresh data showed consumers continue to have inflation concerns for the year ahead, which was unsettling.^4,5

Jobs Market Shows a “Goldilocks” Outlook

Jobs data from the past few months have shown unemployment levels remain low while job growth stays strong—but not too hot.

And last week’s Conference Board’s employment trends index for April projected slower jobs growth in the second half. The markets all year have responded well when the “Goldilocks” outlook suggests that economic indicators are “just right.”⁶

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Fed Official Loretta Mester Speech.

Tuesday: Producer Price Index. NFIB Small Business Optimism Index.

Wednesday: Consumer Price Index. Retail Sales. Business Inventories. Fed Official Neel Kashkari Speech.

Thursday: Housing Starts. Jobless Claims. Industrial Production. Import & Export Prices. Fed Official Speeches: Patrick Harker, Raphael Bostic.

Friday: Leading Indicators.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; May 10, 2024
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Tuesday: The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)

Wednesday: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)

Thursday: Walmart Inc. (WMT), Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT), Deere & Company (DE)

^{Source: Zacks, May 10, 2024
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.}

“The secret of happiness isn’t found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

– Socrates

Are Social Security Benefits Taxable?

If you receive Social Security benefits, you may have to pay federal income tax on some of these benefits. Your payment will depend on your specific income and filing status.

To find out whether your Social Security benefits are taxable, if you are single, take half of the Social Security money you received throughout the year and add it to your other income, including pensions, wages, interest, dividends, and capital gains. If the total for an individual exceeds $25,000, part of your benefits may be taxable.

If you are married filing jointly, take half of the Social Security money you received throughout the year plus half of your spouse’s Social Security benefits; add both amounts to your combined household income. If the total is over $32,000, part of your benefits may be taxable.

The IRS’s website delineates the taxable percentage of benefits based on the above calculation. These percentages vary between 50% to 85% and depend on your filing status and income levels. For example, if you are filing as a single person with $25,000 to $34,000 income, 50% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.

The Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov can help you determine whether your Social Security benefits are taxable and, if so, by how much.

*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 professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov⁷

4 Benefits of Yoga

In addition to helping you finally touch your toes, yoga may confer many other benefits, from helping you relax to even potentially helping your heart health. Below are some other potential benefits of yoga:

Yoga can decrease stress and promote relaxation. Becoming more in tune with your body and where you hold stress is rewarding.
Yoga may also be able to relieve anxiety. In one study, 34 women diagnosed with an anxiety disorder participated in yoga classes twice weekly for two months. At the end of the study, those who had practiced yoga had significantly lower levels of anxiety than the control group.
Yoga may help improve heart health and reduce several risk factors for heart disease. One study found that participants over 40 who practiced yoga for five years had lower blood pressure and pulse rates than those who did not.
Lastly, yoga may help fight depression; this may be because yoga can decrease cortisol levels, a stress hormone that influences serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter frequently associated with depression.

Tip adapted from Healthline⁸

What should the following number be in this series: 103, 107, 109, 113, 127, ___ ?

Last week’s riddle: I can’t be captured or held, and I certainly am not seen … yet I can occasionally be heard, and I am often all around you. What am I? Answer: The wind.

Doi Inthanon, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2024}

^{2. The Wall Street Journal, May 7, 2024}

^{3. The Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2024}

^{4. CNBC.com, May 9, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2024}

^{6. The Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2024}

^{7. IRS.gov, December 5, 2023}

^{8. Healthline, January 24, 2023}

Weekly Market Insights: Volatility, Uncertainty Rule the Week for Markets

by Jim Streight | May 6, 2024 | Weekly Stock Market Commentary

Stocks notched a solid gain last week, rallying behind upbeat earnings, a dovish Fed, and mixed economic data.

Stocks Pop, Drop, Then Rally

Markets began the week with an upward bump as positive news from some mega-cap tech companies outweighed disappointing updates from other tech names.

The tone quickly changed on Tuesday as higher-than-expected Q1 wage growth triggered inflation and interest-rate anxiety—just as the Federal Open Market Committee kicked off its third meeting of the year. Each of the three major averages dropped more than 1.5 percent on the last trading day of April.¹

When the Fed announced it was holding rates steady on Wednesday, stocks initially rallied on the news, but sellers got the upper hand late in the trading session, and prices ended the day slightly down.²

On Thursday, stocks trended higher as more companies reported upbeat Q1 results. Then, on Friday, stocks pushed higher after the April jobs report indicated that unemployment ticked up and the economy slowed. The 175,000 jobs created in April represented slower growth than the over 300,000 added in March and less than the 240,000 economists expected. Some Fed watchers believe that the news bolstered chances that the Fed may adjust rates sooner rather than later.³

Uncertain Hurtin’

Markets hate uncertainty, so Fed Chair Jerome Powell attempted to clarify the Fed’s stance on the outlook for interest rates at the close of its two-day meeting. Determining what’s next for interest rates in the context of stubborn inflation is no simple task. But Powell was as straightforward as possible at the press conference. “I think it’s unlikely that the next policy rate move will be a hike,” he said. “I’d say it’s unlikely.”^4,5

This Week: Key Economic Data

Wednesday: EIA Petroleum Report.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. EIA Natural Gas Report. Fed Balance Sheet.

Friday: Consumer Sentiment. Treasury Statement.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; May 2, 2024
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

Tuesday: The Walt Disney Company (DIS), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET)

Wednesday: Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB), Shopify Inc. (SHOP), Emerson Electric Co. (EMR)

^{Source: Zacks, May 2, 2024
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.}

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.”

– Helen Keller

Do You Need to Report Cash Payments?

If you receive a cash payment of over $10,000, you may be required to report it to the IRS. In this case, a cash payment includes U.S. or foreign currency and can also include cashier’s checks, bank drafts, traveler’s checks, or money orders.

In addition, cash payments to individuals can also include payments from companies, corporations, partnerships, or associations. For example, these could consist of payments from the following parties:

Dealers of jewelry, furniture, boats, aircraft, automobiles, art, rugs, and antiques
Pawnbrokers
Attorneys
Real estate brokers
Insurance companies
Travel agencies

This requirement refers to cash payments received as one lump sum, in two or more payments within 24 hours, as a single transaction within 12 months, or as part of two or more transactions within 12 months.

So, how do you report cash payments? Taxpayers should complete Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business. You can file this form electronically or mail a copy to the IRS. You must submit Form 8300 within 15 days after receiving the cash payment.

*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 professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov⁶

What Are Polyphenols?

You may have heard of polyphenols before, as they have garnered attention in the health and wellness community. But what are they, and what are their benefits?

Polyphenols are a category of plant compounds that may offer various health benefits, from boosting brain health and digestion to protecting against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

There are many sources of polyphenols, including dark chocolate, tea, and dark berries. Even red wine may contain polyphenols. There are four main types of polyphenols:

Flavonoids: Flavonoids account for around 60% of all polyphenols and are present in foods such as apples, onions, dark chocolate, and red cabbage.
Phenolic acids: Phenolic acids account for about 30% of polyphenols and are present in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and seeds.
Polyphenolic amides: Polyphenolic amides are present in chili peppers and oats.

Other polyphenols are in red wine, berries, turmeric, flax, sesame, and whole grains.

Tip adapted from Healthline⁷

I can’t be captured or held, and I certainly am not seen … yet I can occasionally be heard, and I am often all around you. What am I?

Last week’s riddle: I protect you. I sit on a bridge. You can see through me. People walking by might wonder what I hide. What am I? Answer: Sunglasses

Alligator in the wild, Porto Jofre, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2024}

^{2. CNBC.com, May 1, 2024}

^{3. The Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2024}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2024}

^{5. CNBC.com, May 1, 2024}

6 IRS.gov, July 26, 2023

8. Healthline, January 24, 2023

This Memorial Day…

Weekly Market Insights: Investors Anticipate Fed Rate Change

Dow 40,000

Inflated Expectations

This Week: Key Economic Data

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Starting A New Hobby? These Tips Can Help You Understand The Tax Situation

3 Stretches For Your Lower Back

Footnotes And Sources

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise, Anticipating Rate Cut

Stocks Climb Steadily

Jobs Market Shows a “Goldilocks” Outlook

This Week: Key Economic Data

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Are Social Security Benefits Taxable?

4 Benefits of Yoga

Footnotes and Sources

Weekly Market Insights: Volatility, Uncertainty Rule the Week for Markets

Stocks Pop, Drop, Then Rally

Uncertain Hurtin’

This Week: Key Economic Data

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Do You Need to Report Cash Payments?

What Are Polyphenols?

Footnotes and Sources

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