Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are up 15 points and are trading 0.3% above fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are up 62 points and are trading 0.4% above fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 85 points and are trading 0.2% above fair value. The tone is subject to change, however, with the impending 8:15 a.m. ET release of the ECB policy decision and 8:30 a.m. ET release of the weekly jobless claims report, the August Producer Price Index, and the August Retail Sales report. In other developments, the People’s Bank of China will lower the required reserve ratio by 25 bps, effective September 15, for all banks that have not implemented a 5.0% reserve ratio, oil prices are up 1.4% to $89.74/bbl, and the automakers and the United Auto Workers union remain far apart in negotiations, according to The Wall Street Journal, raising the potential for a strike. The 2-yr note yield is unchanged at 4.98%, and the 10-yr note yield is unchanged at 4.26%. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 tested the 50-day moving and failed, but the index closed higher at 4467.44, while the RSI index closed… Read More
Headline News: Inflation posted its biggest monthly increase this year in August as consumers faced higher prices on energy and a variety of other items. The consumer price index, which measures costs across a wide variety of goods and services, rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% for the month and was up 3.7% from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Wednesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were looking for respective increases of 0.6% and 3.6%. However, excluding volatile food and energy, core CPI increased 0.3% and 4.3%, respectively, against estimates of 0.2% and 4.3%. Federal Reserve officials focus more on the core as it provides a better indication of where inflation is heading over the long term. Energy prices fed much of the gain, rising 5.6% on the month, an increase that included a 10.6% surge in gasoline. Food prices rose 0.2%, while shelter costs, which make up about one-third of the CPI weighting, increased 0.3%. Stock market futures initially fell following the report, then rebounded. Treasury yields were higher across the board. (Jeff Cox CNBC) Markets: The S&P 500 closed lower at 4461.90, while the RSI index moved back below the 50 level, closing at 49.73. The… Read More
Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are down 13 points and are trading 0.3% below fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are down 51 points and are trading 0.7% below fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down 56 points and are trading 0.1% below fair value. Equity futures are slipping after yesterday’s higher finish. A big loss in a software company following its disappointing guidance is weighing down the broader market. There’s also some hesitation in play as market participants look ahead to the August Consumer Price Index tomorrow. Rising oil prices are an overhang for the broader market. WTI crude oil futures are up 0.9% to $88.09/bbl. The 2-yr note yield is unchanged at 4.99%, and the 10-yr note yield is unchanged at 4.28%. Today’s economic data was limited to the August NFIB Small Business Optimism, which declined to 91.3 from 91.9. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 rallied past resistance at the 50-day moving average to close higher at 4457.49. The RSI index also gave a bullish signal by closing higher at 53.75. However, a lower open could be in the cards this morning, taking the S&P 500 back below… Read More
Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are up 16 points and are trading 0.4% above fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are up 100 points and are trading 0.7% above fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 33 points and are trading 0.1% above fair value. Equity futures indicate a higher open after the market logged sizable declines last week. This week’s calendar features some important economic releases, including the August Consumer Price Index on Wednesday, followed by the August Producer Price Index and Retail Sales report on Thursday. Treasury yields are moving higher. The 2-yr note yield is up two basis points to 4.99% and the 10-yr note yield is up 4.30%. WTI crude oil futures are down 0.5% to $87.04/bbl. There is no U.S. economic data of note today. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 traded between the 20-day moving average at 4444.08 and the 50-day moving average at 4478.29 on Friday. While the RSI index tried to move past the 50 level, closing at 49.29. So far this morning, the S&P 500 futures are higher by 0.76%, which should be an open above the 50-day moving average. If so,… Read More
Investors in their 50s You’ve worked hard to put the kids through college and wondered if you would ever start to clearly see your retirement horizon. You’ve probably starting to visualize your retirement: The trips, the hikes, the projects, the family vacations and just sitting around a bit enjoying a pretty day. It is also a good time to take stock of where you are relative to your goals. I recommend focusing on the below list of items in your 50s to ensure your retirement outcome is successful. 1. Do an in-depth holistic financial plan if you have not done one already. Saving for retirement probably started back in your 20s and 30s but do you know if your savings plan will get you to where you need to be in retirement? Are you investing in the right investments at the right time to meet your goals? A holistic plan can answer these questions but can also point out opportunities for you and your family. Working with a financial planner to put your goals at the highest probability of success will not only help you achieve successful outcomes but will also allow you to potentially see financial opportunities. 2. Plan… Read More
Welcome to Lilly’s Counseling Session, where UGA alumni and Dawgs superfans John Lilly and Deven Patel preview this week’s matchup against the Ball State Cardinals. Go Dawgs!
Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are down 21 points and are trading 0.4% below fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are down 125 points and are trading 0.7% below fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down 45 points and are trading 0.1% below fair value. The stock market is poised for a lower open after yesterday’s retreat. Treasury yields are pulling back from yesterday’s settlement levels, but the recent run-up in yields remains top of mind for market participants. The 2-yr note yield is down four basis points to 5.00% and the 10-yr note yield is down three basis points to 4.27%. Oil prices are inching lower this morning. WTI crude oil futures are down 0.6% to $87.01/bbl. Separately, China reported an 8.8% year-over-year decline in exports and a 7.3% year-over-year decline in imports for August, both of which were better than expected. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 sold off sharply below support at the 50-day moving average to close at 4465.48. The index tested and held the 20-day moving average at 4445.47, so buyers might be willing to step in again at that level. The RSI index moved lower… Read More
Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are down 11 points and are trading 0.2% below fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are down 48 points and are trading 0.2% below fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down 72 points and are trading 0.2% below fair value. Stock futures indicate a lower open, pressured by several airlines warning about rising jet fuel costs, concerns about a slowdown in discretionary spending due to high gas prices, and festering worries about rising interest rates. The weekly MBA Mortgage Applications Index dropped 2.9%, with purchase applications falling 2.0% and refinance applications declining 5.0%. The 2-yr note yield is down two basis points to 4.94%, and the 10-yr note yield is down two basis points to 4.24%. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 closed lower at 4496.83 on a volume of 2,105,726,336; the down volume was 73%. The 50-day moving average, 4472.48, is racing higher to provide support, and we feel that level will hold if tested today. Possible resistance will remain at 4527.37. We are currently Intermediate-term bullish and short-term bullish. John N. Lilly III CPFA Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor℠ Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ Portfolio Manager,… Read More
Headline News: The S&P 500 futures are down 5 points and are trading 0.1% below fair value. The NASDAQ 100 futures are down 37 points and are trading 0.3% below fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 1 point and are trading roughly in line with fair value. Equity futures point to a lower open after the holiday weekend. Some mega-cap stocks sport pre-open losses, which is limiting the broader market, along with rising market rates. The 2-yr yield is up four basis points to 4.92%, and the 10-yr note yield is up five basis points to 4.22%. Goldman Sachs lowered its U.S. recession probability to 15% from 20%. The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate at 4.10%, as expected. China’s Caixin Services PMI decelerated again in August, coming in at its lowest level of the year, while Australia’s Services PMI remained in contraction for the second consecutive month. Elsewhere, the eurozone’s final Services PMI readings for August confirmed a renewed contraction in activity. (Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, Lead Portfolio Manager) Markets: The S&P 500 tried to rally above resistance at 4527.37 but sold off to close lower at 4515.77, and the RSI index traded… Read More
Investors in their 40s You made it to the 40s. And hopefully, you have spent part of your 20s and your 30s building the foundation of a solid financial path. Now it’s time to start thinking about how you will achieve your longer-term obligations, dreams, and lifestyle, such as retirement and college funding. Saving for retirement and college is most likely becoming foremost in your thoughts. Still, in your 40s, the financial planning and decision-making around these goals should start taking priority and getting traction. Action 1- Have all unsecured debt paid off so that you can maximize your savings plan Your retirement will most likely encompass 30 years or more. You will probably work another 25 years or so. During this time, saving as much as possible in your retirement plan is essential. Continuing to pay for unsecured debt directly comes off the top of your potential savings plan. Ensuring this debt is paid off as soon as possible will be important when propelling your savings plan to the next level. You also may have kids in middle or high school, so having a more detailed plan on how you want to pay for college or after-high school graduation… Read More
