Week of February 2, 2015

Stocks continued two familiar recent trends this week: increased volatility and continued weakness. The S&P 500 fell 2.77% for the week and is now down 3.10% year-to-date. The tech heavy Nasdaq Composite has fared better, declining just 2.13% and 2.58% for the week and year-to-date, respectively. The industrial laden Dow Jones performed the worst for both periods (down 2.87% for the week and 3.69% year-to-date) since export-driven industrials have been the hardest hit by a strong dollar. Intermediate and long-term Treasuries also extended their recent rallies this week, pushing the yield on the 10-year below 1.70%. This is the lowest level witnessed since mid-2013.

Lower Gas Prices Fail to Power U.S. Economy Over Speedbumps

On Friday, the U.S. Commerce department fueled the stock market declines by issuing 4th quarter GDP growth of just 2.6%, below expectations and far below the 4.5-5% witnessed during the prior two periods. While lower oil prices drove an impressive 4.3% rise in household consumption, the stronger dollar is creating a tough headwind as net exports cut one percentage point from growth. Lower government spending acted as a drag as well to the tune of 0.4%. The consumer spending data was the strongest since early 2006. One trouble spot was nonresidential investment, which added only 0.24%, the lowest figure in nearly two years. The fourth quarter measurement put GDP expansion for the entire year at 2.4%.

^{Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-gdp-growth-slows-to-2-6-in-fourth-quarter-1422624685?KEYWORDS=gdp+growth}

Fed Maintains Midyear Rate Hike Expectations

The Federal Reserve again reiterated that it will be “patient” about raising rates in a statement released Wednesday. In December, Fed Chair Janet Yellen explained “patient” suggests no rate hikes for at least two Fed meetings, implying no rate hike until at least June. The Fed’s statement provided an optimistic outlook for the domestic economy citing a “solid pace” of expansion. Interestingly, there were no dissents during this vote, largely due to the more dovish makeup of the voting committee after retirements of two noted hawks and the usual annual committee turnover. Another important nuance of the statement was the addition of two words: international developments. The Fed added this to the list of things it is monitoring, perhaps opening the door to continue with easy money if continued dollar strength pressures growth.

^{Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-sticks-to-patient-tack-on-rate-increases-1422471820?KEYWORDS=Fed}

Fun Story of the Week

Do you know what an earworm is? You have surely been infected by one. An earworm is what scientists call involuntary musical imagery, or more commonly known as that annoying song you can’t get out of your head. Believe it or not, scientists and psychologists have spent a great deal of time and effort to understand how songs get stuck in our heads and how we can get rid of them. Recent and constant exposure is an obvious and leading cause, but other psychological and musical factors play a part. Memory and visual triggers can put a song in your head, sometimes even hours or days later. Additionally, simple songs with lots of repetition and longer notes that are close together in pitch can easily burrow into your memory, which is why children’s songs are so infectious. The importance of the research lies in the findings for how to get rid of that song once it is rattling around your head. Scientists recommend saturating your brain by listening to the full song, loudly, and while singing along. It turns out embracing it might be the best way to “let it go…let it go…can’t hold it back anymore…”

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_{Securities offered through Jacques Financial, LLC (JFLLC) a Broker-Dealer, Member FINRA and SIPC. Certain associates of Joseph W. Jacques, CPA, CFP^TM are registered representatives of JFLLC. Joseph W. Jacques, CPA, CFP^TM and JFLLC are affiliated. Investment advisory services are offered through Jacques Advisors, LLC an affiliate of JFLLC. Tax services are offered through Jacques & Associates Certified Public Accountants, LLC an affiliate of JFLLC.}

^{Sources:
http://online.barrons.com/articles/u-s-stocks-fall-nearly-3-on-fears-that-qe-has-lost-its-punch-1422692350
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/648b1536-a89f-11e4-97b7-00144feab7de.html?siteedition=intl#axzz3QQmwtUTM
http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2015/01/30/u-s-fourth-quarter-gdp-at-a-glance/?KEYWORDS=gdp+growth
http://mashable.com/2015/01/31/song-stuck-in-head/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link
http://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-sticks-to-patient-tack-on-rate-increases-1422471820?KEYWORDS=Fed}