News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh lockdowns.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 4.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 2.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.55% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, jumped 4.01%.[i],[ii],[iii]
Vaccine Hopes
Reports of an effective COVID-19 vaccine sent stocks soaring on Monday as the end to economic uncertainty appeared to be in sight. Stocks that had been pummeled by economic lockdowns surged on the news, while the stay-at-home stocks suffered steep declines. Bond yields and oil prices both moved higher on expectations of increased economic activity.
Market enthusiasm evaporated in the days that followed, however, as higher COVID-19 infections, new lockdowns, and low expectations for a new fiscal stimulus package dampened the optimism brought on by the pending vaccine.
Stocks closed the week on a higher note, with cyclical stocks adding to their gains and technology companies shaving part of their losses.
Clouds Over Chinese Capitalism?
The market was caught by surprise last week when Chinese regulatory authorities issued draft guidelines to address concerns over abusive monopolistic practices. Shares in some of the biggest Chinese technology companies dropped on the news. This follows the prior week’s suspension of a listing of a large initial public offering for one of the country’s leading fintech companies.
It’s difficult to say whether Chinese regulators are acting on concerns that western nations have with the dominance of Big Tech companies, or if they are attempting to rein in the power and influence of privately owned corporations. An answer may not be clear anytime soon, but investors will be watching.
Robert Roman
CEO, Managing Director
THIS WEEK: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Tuesday: Retail Sales.
Wednesday: Housing Starts.
Thursday: Existing Home Sales, Jobless Claims, Index of Leading Economic Indicators.
Source: Econoday, November 13, 2020
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
THIS WEEK: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), JD.com, Inc. (JD)
Tuesday: Walmart (WMT), The Home Depot (HD)
Wednesday: Nvidia Corp. (NVDA), Target Corp. (TGT), Lowe’s Companies (LOW), The TJX Companies (TJX)
Thursday: Workday, Inc. (WDAY), Ross Stores (ROST), Intuit (INTU), Netease, Inc. (NTES)
Source: Zacks, November 13, 2020
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart”
– Elizabeth Foley
Tax Pros Should Protect Their EFIN
Every tax professional has their own electronic filing identification number, or EFIN. To help maintain security, tax pros can verify the number of returns submitted using their EFIN and look out for suspicious activity. Tax pros can check this information using the IRS e-Services. Once they create an account, they can see the number of returns the IRS received and match this number to their records.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
How High Should You Tee Your Ball for Your Driver?
Properly teeing up your ball is the first step in hitting a great shot. You won’t find an exact measurement of how high you should tee up your ball because it depends on the type of shot you want to achieve and the club itself.
For a normal drive, you should tee the ball up so half of the golf ball is above the height of your driver. If you are hitting downwind or want your drive to go higher, tee the ball up higher. If you want to achieve a lower ball flight or you’re playing on a windy day, tee the ball lower. When you properly tee up your ball, your tee should stay in the ground after your shot because all of your force is directed into the ball properly.
Tip adapted from Golficity[v]
Friendships May Benefit Your Health in Many Ways
Making friends is one of the very first things we do as children and that need for connection only gets more important as we age.
Friendships may benefit our health in a number of ways. First off, having friends may decrease stress levels, which impact both our mental and physical health. Laughing with friends is one of the best forms of medicine! Friendships may also help keep our minds sharp. You’re engaging more with others and feel less isolated and alone. Lastly, friends are a great support system and can help us through tough times.
So grab a friend and celebrate the holiday season!
Tip adapted from Live Science[vi]
DIY Rain Harvesting
Did you know that about 600 gallons of rainwater can be harvested from about one inch of rain if it falls from a thousand square foot roof? Harvesting rainwater is a great way to save water and take full advantage of Mother Nature this fall. Plus, you don’t even need fancy equipment to get started. Here’s what you need to know:
- You can calculate how much rainwater you’ll harvest by using data points like how much it rains where you live and the length and width of your roof.
- Rainwater tanks can be as small as 55 gallons.
- Make sure to place your rainwater reservoir underneath a downspout.
- The main components of a rainwater harvesting system are a barrel, a transportation system for the water, and a filter.
- Even if you’re not the handiest, some rain catchers are as simple as a garbage bin, a lid, and a filter.
Tip adapted from Morning Chores[vii]
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.
Diversification does not guarantee profit nor is it guaranteed to protect assets.
International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors.
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 indices from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
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.
Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
You cannot invest directly in an index.
Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.
Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
These are the views of Platinum Advisor Strategies, LLC, and not necessarily those of the named representative,
Broker dealer or Investment Advisor and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named representative nor the named Broker dealer or Investment Advisor gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial professional for further information.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged and generally considered representative of their respective markets. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
- The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2020
- The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2020
- The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2020
- IRS.gov, March 5, 2020
- Golficity.com, November 13, 2020
- Livescience.com, November 13, 2020
- Morningchores.com, November 13, 2020