Stocks rallied last week as investors received better-than-expected consumer and producer inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.60 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 4.02 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led, picking up 5.95 percent as tech stocks rebounded. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.01 percent.1,2 A Wednesday to RememberStocks bounced out of the gate at the start of the week as “risk on” investors made moves before the pending release of the twin inflation reports–the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI). The three major averages added slightly more than 1 percent in Monday trading.3 On Wednesday, stocks initially dipped following the release of the CPI as traders appeared disappointed by the report. By midday, sentiment changed. The S&P 500, down as much as 1.6 percent in early trading, gained 1.1 percent by the closing bell. More inflation data out Thursday showed wholesale price increases were tempered, which helped stocks move higher through the balance of the week.4,5 |
Small Caps ShineSmall-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, have pushed higher in recent weeks, which is a telling move for some Wall Street observers. The Russell 2000 has outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 4 percent during Q3 so far.6 One reason is that smaller stocks tend to respond when they anticipate interest rates will trend lower. Investors appear to be positioning themselves in small cap issues, expecting the Fed may adjust rates at its September meeting as it looks to guide the economy to a soft landing.7 This Week: Key Economic DataMonday: Empire State Manufacturing Index. Tuesday: FOMC meeting – Day 1. Retail Sales. Industrial Production. Fed Official Lorie Logan speaks. Wednesday: FOMC meeting – Day 2. Housing Starts and Permits. FOMC Announcement. Fed Chair Press Conference. Thursday: Existing Home Sales. Weekly Jobless Claims. Friday: Fed Official Patrick Harker speaks. Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; September 13, 2024 This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsWednesday: General Mills, Inc. (GIS) Thursday: FedEx Corporation (FDX) Source: Zacks, September 13, 2024 |
“A career is born in public, talent in privacy.” – Marilyn Monroe |
Check Your Withholding Status OnlineThe Withholding Calculator can help you determine whether you should submit a new W-4 to your employer, and you also can use the results to adjust your income tax withholding. If you have a more complex tax situation, you may need to use Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax form. This form can help you determine your self-employment tax, alternative minimum tax, or tax on unearned income by dependents. Publication 505 also can help if you receive non-wage income, including capital gains, royalties, dividends, and more. Checking your withholding is essential to deducting the right amount of taxes; these handy tools can help. This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS.gov8 |
Low-Impact Exercises for Healthy JointsHere are some of our favorite low-impact exercises:
Tip adapted from Healthline9 |
In the morning, I lie at your feet. I almost vanish in the midday sun. But I’ll be with you all day as you stand, walk, leap, and run. What am I? Last week’s riddle: A 10k cross-country run through the woods attracts 36 entrants. The day is unseasonably hot, and the course is confusing. Three runners get lost, five quit, and 28 finish the run. What happens to the other entrants? Answer: The whereabouts of all entrants are known as 3 + 5 + 28 = 36. |
Skyline of Malmo Sweden with Famous Turning Torso Building Malmö, Skåne län, Sweden |
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Footnotes and Sources1. The Wall Street Journal, September 13, 2024 2. Investing.com, September 13, 2024 3. The Wall Street Journal, September 10, 2024 4. The Wall Street Journal, September 11, 2024 5. CNBC.com, September 12, 2024 6. The Wall Street Journal, September 13, 2024 7. MarketWatch.com, September 12, 2024 8. IRS.gov, May 8. 2024 9. Healthline, May 8. 2024 |