Week of September 2, 2014
Markets Dazzle; Record Best August in 14 Years
Source:http://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2014/08/30/96fed75418934e225e0f6a7067008d86_r620x349.JPEG?75d51d0aea2efce5189afce216053cbc530c46a8
The S&P 500 pulled off the equivalent of a behind the back catch last month as it defied odds and accomplished the highly improbable. After threatening to finally record an official correction a few weeks prior as we faced geopolitical tumult and conflicting global economic conditions, the index rallied 3.77 percent, making this the best August in 14 years. Furthermore, the S&P 500 closed above 2,000 for the first time in history last week, and now stands more than 8.3 percent higher for the year.
Source: CNN Money
Eurozone Inflation Nearly Nonexistent
Markets remain focused on the troubling conditions that have hindered the Eurozone economy from returning to health. Last week, inflation statistics for the area were released that increased the odds that action from the European Central Bank and government officials is on the horizon. As unemployment remains elevated at 11.5 percent, inflation sank to a five year low annualized pace of 0.3 percent. The consensus opinion is that European Central Bank leader Mario Draghi will soon outline measures that will mirror those implemented by the U.S. Federal Reserve throughout the last several years, including but not limited to large scale asset purchases. In anticipation of these measures, investors have piled into government debt in safe countries, such as the U.S. and Germany, keeping a tight lid on interest rates for the time being.
U.S. Economy Stronger in Q2 Than We Thought
The Commerce Department had last reported that the U.S. economy advanced at a 4 percent rate in the second quarter. Last week, however, the same department revised that number up to 4.2 percent, indicating the U.S. economy was even stronger than we thought. The report highlighted that business spending on investment and equipment rose sharply, while consumers exhibited higher demand for high priced items such as automobiles. Furthermore, corporate profits were a record high in the second quarter. After tax profits grew by 6 percent to an estimated total of $1.84 trillion, or 10.6 percent of the overall U.S. economy. According to Macroeconomic Advisers, this economic strength is expected to carry forward throughout the current quarter. The firm estimates the economy will advance by another 3.1 percent in the third quarter.
Side Note of the Week
The U.S. debt situation just got a little less dire last week, but the relief might be short lived. The Congressional Budget Office indicated last week that the cumulative difference between government receipts and expenditures is expected to be $400 billion less between now and 2024 than their last estimate indicated in April. However, despite their predictions for declining deficits over the next several years, this trend is expected to once again reverse beginning in 2018. Government debt as a percentage of the economy will reach nearly 75 percent this year, the highest level since 1950 according to the Congressional Budget Office, and is expected to climb to more than 77 percent by 2024.
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* Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult with your financial advisor.
* 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 10-year Treasury Note represents debt owed by the United States Treasury to the public.
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* Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* Charts and graphs should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decision and are for general informational purposes only.
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* Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.
* This newsletter was prepared by CWM, LLC.
* Yahoo! Finance is the source for any reference to the performance of an index between two specific periods.
Sources:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101957595
http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/sandp/?iid=C_MT_Index
http://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2014/08/30/96fed75418934e225e0f6a7067008d86_r620x349.JPEG?75d51d0aea2efce5189afce216053cbc530c46a8
http://markets.money.cnn.com/services/api/chart/snapshot_chart_api.asp?symb=SPX
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/business/international/eurozone-inflation-dips-again-to-increase-pressure-on-ecb.html?_r=0
http://www.statbureau.org/en/eurozone/monthly-inflation-comparison-current-previous-years-yoy.png
http://online.wsj.com/articles/gdp-expanded-at-4-2-rate-in-second-quarter-1409229416
http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NA-CC528B_GDP_G_20140828183611.jpg
http://online.wsj.com/articles/cbo-offers-mixed-forecast-of-u-s-budget-economy-over-next-decade-1409150020