By: Sean Schmid, Chief Operating Officer – Penn Investment Advisors
Weekly Update – December 13, 2021
A more benign reassessment of the possible economic risk posed by Omicron sent stocks sharply higher last week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 4.02%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 3.82%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 3.61% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 2.74%.1,2,3
Assessing Omicron
Though much is still unknown about the Omicron variant, reports of potentially milder health effects and the efficacy of booster shots ignited optimism that its economic impact would be less severe than originally feared.
Stocks rallied higher each of the first three days, with strong gains in many of the reopening stocks, such as airlines, travel and leisure, financials, and energy. The performance of high-valuation growth companies was a bit more erratic as they rose and fell sharply throughout much of the week. Weakening Thursday, stocks turned higher on Friday despite a hot inflation number, pushing the S&P 500 to a new record high.4
Inflation Factor
November’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in at a nearly 40-year high, rising 0.8% from the previous month and 6.8% from a year ago. It is the 6th-consecutive month that inflation has exceeded 5%. Core inflation (excluding the more volatile food and energy prices) came in lower, but still posted its sharpest jump since 1991.5
Economists have attributed this elevated inflation rate to strong consumer demand, a shortage of goods due to supply chain constraints, and strong wage growth. How long this high level of inflation persists is unknown, but the Fed has begun considering policy steps to manage it.
This Week: Key Economic Data
Wednesday: Retail Sales. FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) Announcement.
Thursday: Jobless Claims. Housing Starts. Industrial Production. PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) Composite Flash.
Source: Econoday, December 10, 2021
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
Thursday: Adobe, Inc. (ADBE), FedEx Corporation (FDX), Lennar Corporation (LEN).
Friday: Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI).
Source: Zacks, December 10, 2021
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.
Quote of the Week
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
– Mae Jemison
Tax Tips
Tax Incentives Can Help You Further Your Education
Tax credits help with the cost of higher education by reducing the amount of income tax you may need to pay. The two tax credits available are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
Some education savings plans offer tax benefits if the individual qualifies. Also, you may be able to deduct higher-education costs – such as tuition, student loan interest, and qualified education expenses – from your tax return.
If you’ve always dreamed about going back to school, whether to further your career or just to learn something new, knowing your potential tax benefits may save you money.
* 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.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov6
Have investment questions? Call us at1.800.626.1027 or email us at invest@pennadvisors.com.
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Footnotes, disclosures and sources:
Investment advisory services are provided through Penn Investment Advisors, Inc. (PIA), a Registered Investment Adviser. PIA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn Community Bank (Bank). Investment products, securities and services offered by PIA are not a deposit of, or obligation of, or guaranteed by the Bank, or an affiliate of the Bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any agency of the United States, the Bank, or any affiliate of the bank and involve investment risk, including the possibility of loss of principal. 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 indexes from Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.
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.
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 Penn Investment Advisors, Inc., and other listed sources. This should not be construed as investment advice. Penn Investment Advisors, Inc., does not give 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 advisor for further information. By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as they are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site.
- The Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2021
- The Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2021
- The Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2021
- CNBC, December 10, 2021
- The Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2021
6. IRS.gov, June 16, 2021