Greetings!
Celebrate--you lived past Tax Day!
According to Bloomberg, death and taxes aren't only certain, they share the same deadline.
"Deaths from traffic accidents around April 15, traditionally the last day to file individual income taxes in the U.S., rose 6 percent on average on each of the last 30 years of tax filing days compared with a day during the week prior and a week later, according to research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Even allowing Americans to file their taxes electronically hasn't negated the crash trend, lead researcher Donald Redelmeier said. The findings suggest stress, lack of sleep, alcohol use and less tolerance to other drivers on tax deadline day may contribute to an increase in deaths on the road, Redelmeier said. "An increase of risk in this magnitude is about the same as what we observe on Super Bowl Sunday, a time notorious in the U.S. for drinking and driving," said Redelmeier, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada, in an April 6 telephone interview. Click here to read full article. (7) |
| Weekly Economic Update | |
Q1 GDP: +2.2% The federal government's initial estimate disappointed many analysts, even with plenty of potential for upward revision later. After all, Q4 2011 had brought growth of 3.0%. Economists polled by Briefing.com expected the Q1 estimate to come in at +2.5%. Personal spending rose by 2.9% for the quarter, with car sales playing the largest role in the gain; subtract vehicle purchases, and the consumption increase was 1.1%, the smallest in four quarters. (1,2)
KEY CONSUMER SENTIMENT SURVEY TOPS ESTIMATES
The final April Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came in at 76.4, 0.7% higher than the prior 75.7 reading. Economists polled by Briefing.com thought there would be no advance. March's final survey had a 76.2 reading. (2,3)
MORE HOME SALES CONTRACTS INKED IN MARCH
Pending home sales improved by 4.1% in March to reach their highest level since April 2010, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. Another bit of good news was unexpected: February's S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index showed prices rising 0.2% overall, the first advance recorded in ten months. Last week, Zillow said the median U.S. home value had increased 0.5% in March, the best monthly gain in six years. The sour note in last week's real estate roundup was new home sales. The Census Bureau said they were down 7.1% in March. However, the median sale price was up 6.3% year-over-year. (4,5)
NASDAQ HAS BEST WEEK IN NEARLY 3 MONTHS
The tech-heavy index rose 2.29% across April 23-27 to settle at 3,069.20 Friday. The Dow gained 1.53% across the same stretch to finish the week at 13,228.31, while the S&P 500 advanced 1.80% last week to 1,403.36 at Friday's close. With one market day to go in April, only the Dow is in positive territory for the month.(3,6) |
| Market Summary |
|
% Change |
Y-T-D |
1Yr Chg |
5-Year Avg | |
DJIA |
+8.27 |
+4.23 |
+0.16 | |
NASDAQ |
+17.81 |
+6.95 |
+4.00 | |
S&P 500 |
+11.59 |
+3.52 |
-1.21 |
(Source: msn.money.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 4/27/12). Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged, and investors cannot invest in them directly. |
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Create a beautiful week!
Karl Frank, MBA, MSF
Certified Financial Planner (R)
A & I Financial Services LLC
303.690.5070
Citations:
1 - money.msn.com/market-news/post.aspx?post=4ffe3e5e-7c95-4a95-8b82-e0848c9771de [4/27/12]
2 - briefing.com/investor/calendars/economic/2012/04/23-27 [4/27/12]
3 - www.cnbc.com/id/47204037 [4/27/12]
4 - www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/rebuilding-home-resales-highest-2010-article-1.1068578 [4/27/12]
5 - briefing.com/Investor/Calendars/Economic/Releases/newhom.htm [4/27/12]
6 - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=common-financial-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them&category=29 [4/27/12]
Securities offered through Geneos Wealth Management, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through A & I Financial Services LLC, registered investment advisor. |
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| Words for Thought |
"The path to success is to take massive, determined action."
Tony Robbins |
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Karl Frank In Investment Advisor Magazine |
 | | Investment Advisor - November 2011 |
Investment Advisor Magazine's November 2011 edition features Karl Frank. In the article "Never Satisfied," John Sullivan writes: Passion born of tragedy drives Karl Frank to do all he can to help business owners ensure a legacy for loved ones and heirs. Industrial age publisher and philanthropist Frederick Bonfils said there is no hope for the satisfied man. If that's the case, Karl Frank is full of hope.
"I'm never satisfied," Frank says matter-of-factly when asked about his advisory firm
.....Read More. |
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Riddle of the Week
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Four grown men decided to play on the sidewalk for three hours. No one chided them for childish or immature behavior; many appreciated the noise they made. They even went home a bit richer. What were these men doing?
Last week's riddle:
What is the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness? Something you cannot express happiness without? Something that is always in risk, but never in danger?
Last week's answer:
The letter S |
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Karl Frank was interviewed by 9News on March 28th, 2012 regarding "3 Things You Should Do if You Win the Mega Millions Lottery". | |
Click Here to View Video
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