Foresight Wealth Management
Economic Data Stokes Volatility 
Weekly Update - November 11, 2013
In This Issue
Despite some volatility, the S&P 500 and Dow hit their fifth straight week of gains, boosted by an unexpected jobs report and a rosy Q3 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) estimate. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.51%, the Dow gained 0.94%, and the Nasdaq lost 0.07%.[1]
Two major economic reports accounted for a lot of the action last week: a third-quarter GDP estimate and the October jobs report. October employment soundly beat expectations, adding 204,000 new jobs; however, the overall unemployment rate ticked higher from 7.2% to 7.3%. It's hard to know how accurate the numbers are given the disruption of the government shutdown last month. We'll know more once November numbers are available.[2]

The first Q3 GDP estimate showed the economy expanding by 2.8%, much higher than expectations. Digging deeper into the numbers, we see that much of the growth came from a build-up in inventories - goods sitting in warehouses and store shelves that consumers aren't buying. Final sales rose just 2.0%, and overall spending crept up just 1.5% - the smallest gain in two years.[3]

The better-than-expected numbers stoked volatility as investors began to worry again that the Fed may taper its quantitative easing programs as soon as December. Unclear economic data caused the Fed to stand pat at its
Federal Open Market Committee meeting last month, leaving monetary policy unchanged, and analysts had expected tapering to come no sooner than March. 

The Treasury Department and the Fed have expressed some very different sentiments about the economy in recent days. While the Fed has been cautious about economic prospects, recent remarks by Treasury officials show a brighter economic picture. This divergence in opinions may complicate future economic policy and will certainly play a role in the confirmation hearings of new Fed chair nominee Janet Yellen, which will begin this week.[4]

Looking ahead, earnings season will wind down this week with reports from major retailers like Wal-Mart, Macy's, and Nordstrom, which will give investors an idea of what to expect from retailers next quarter.[5] Recent consumer spending data suggests that Americans are spending cautiously, preferring to boost their savings. While this is good news for household debt, tepid spending could negatively affect the holiday shopping season.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR: 
Monday: Veterans Day Holiday. U.S. Markets Open, Banks closed.
Wednesday: Treasury Budget, Ben Bernanke Speaks 7:00 PM ET
Thursday: International Trade, Jobless Claims, Productivity and Costs, EIA Petroleum Status Report
Friday: Empire State Mfg. Survey, Import and Export Prices, Industrial Production




Notes: All index returns exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized. Sources: Yahoo! Finance and Treasury.gov . International performance is represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Corporate bond performance is represented by the DJCBP. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.

HEADLINES:

S&P cuts France's debt rating. The ratings agency cut France's sovereign debt rating from AA+ to AA, citing lack of progress in economic reforms. Analysts believe that a lagging economy and high unemployment will make it politically difficult to institute the structural changes needed to boost economic growth.[6]

China's inflation rises. China's annual consumer inflation climbed to an eight-month high of 3.2%, largely driven by seasonally higher food prices. The increase has analysts worrying that the central bank may decide to tighten monetary policy - raising interest rates - before the economy is fully recovered from its recent slump.[7]

Iran talks end without nuclear deal. Despite optimistic reports that the first nuclear deal with Iran in a decade was in sight, talks ended early Sunday without an agreement. Though there appear to be major roadblocks to a deal that would satisfy all major powers, negotiators might resume talks soon.[8]

Consumer sentiment falls in November. U.S. consumer sentiment dipped unexpectedly in November to a near two-year low as lower-income households worried about job prospects and financial situation. Negative views of the government also played a role in the dip.[9]
 

Quote Of The Week
Quote Of The Week
Fountain Pen
 
 "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Enjoy crisp green beans and bright tomatoes. Recipe from RealSimple.com.
Tax Tips
Tax Tips
Document
Check the IRS Rules for Charities
 
According to the IRS, a taxpayer can deduct charitable contributions only if the taxpayer itemizes deductions and the IRS recognizes the organizations. If your charitable contribution resulted in you receiving any benefit (such as tickets to a game or charity ball), you can only deduct any contribution amount over the fair market value of the benefit you received.

For more information about charitable contributions, ask your tax professional or download IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.

Golf Tip
Golf Tip
Golfer

Fix Your Chipping Address


Improve chip shots by starting with the correct address, then swing the club back and up with slight turning of the wrist (don't force the hinge). End the swing at the back of the ball and in the original address stance. The club is close to the ground and a flat left wrist.

Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy Lifestyle
Medical Cross

Add & Subtract for a Healthy Heart 


Reduce the possibility of a heart attack or stroke with simple addition and subtraction.  Subtract: Limit salt intake to 1 teaspoon daily; Add: Increase foods rich in potassium, e.g., raisins, winter squash, yogurt, baked potato with skin. 

Green Living
Green Living
Leaf
Another Use for Bread

Use a slice of white bread to clean an oil painting by carefully blotting the surface. This ordinary pantry item keeps an oil painting clean and free of accumulated dirt and is a great gentle cleaner for delicate antiques.

 


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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.

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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 indexes from Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. 

The Dow Jones Corporate Bond Index is a 96-bond index designed to represent the market performance, on a total-return basis, of investment-grade bonds issued by leading U.S. companies. Bonds are equally weighted by maturity cell, industry sector, and the overall index.

The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are the leading measures of U.S. residential real estate prices, tracking changes in the value of residential real estate. The index is made up of measures of real estate prices in 20 cities and weighted to produce the index.

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.

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Past performance does not guarantee future results.

You cannot invest directly in an index.

Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.

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