LIGHT SWEET CRUDE SETTLES AT $29.42
Oil closed at its lowest level in more than 12 years Friday, plummeting 11.3% for the trading week on the NYMEX. Two factors contributed greatly to the rout: the Energy Information Administration’s forecast of the global crude glut lasting well into 2017 and the imminent expiration of sanctions against Iran, which could mean greater crude exports from that country. The EIA forecast West Texas Intermediate crude prices to rise to the vicinity of $40 later this year.1,2
CONSUMER OPTIMISM REMAINS
Rising to 93.3 from its final 2015 mark of 92.6, the University of Michigan’s initial January consumer sentiment index amounted to a pleasant surprise during a gloomy week. Another consumer indicator was less positive: the Commerce Department said that both headline and core retail sales dipped 0.1% in December.3
PRODUCER PRICE INDEX SLIPS 0.2%
This statistic is only part of the story regarding wholesale inflation in December. Minus the volatile food and energy categories, producer prices rose 0.1% last month according to the Labor Department.3
WORRIES ABOUT OIL, CHINA IMPEDE STOCKS
Another dip for Chinese equities and slumping oil prices led shares lower last week. During January 11-15, the Dow lost 2.19%, the Nasdaq 3.34%, and the S&P 500 2.17%. At the close, the Dow stood at 15,988.15, the Nasdaq at 4,488.42, the S&P at 1,880.28. Even COMEX gold futures lost 0.7% for the week, settling Friday at $1,090.70.4,5
THIS WEEK: U.S. financial markets are closed Monday in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Bank of America, Charles Schwab, Comerica, Delta Air Lines, eBay, IBM, Morgan Stanley, Nautilus, Netflix, and UnitedHealth Group announce earnings Tuesday, and China presents its Q4 and 2015 GDP readings. On Wednesday, investors consider the December CPI, December housing starts and building permits, and earnings from Briggs & Stratton, Brinker International, Goldman Sachs, Kinder Morgan, Northern Trust, and Raymond James. Thursday, earnings from Alaska Air Group, American Express, BoNY Mellon, BB&T, E*TRADE, Fifth Third, J.B. Hunt, Schlumberger, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, Travelers, Union Pacific, and Verizon arrive along with the latest initial claims figures. Friday, NAR’s December existing home sales numbers and the latest Conference Board leading indicator index complement earnings from GE and SunTrust Banks.
% CHANGE Y-T-D 1-YR CHG 5-YR AVG 10-YR AVG
DJIA -8.25 -7.69 +7.13 +4.59
NASDAQ -10.36 -1.80 +12.58 +9.37
S&P 500 -8.01 -5.64 +9.08 +4.60
REAL YIELD 1/15 RATE 1 YR AGO 5 YRS AGO 10 YRS AGO
10 YR TIPS 0.67% 0.23% 1.00% 1.97%
Sources: forexlive.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov – 1/15/164,6,7,8
Indices are unmanaged, do not incur fees or expenses, and cannot be invested into directly. These returns do not include dividends. 10-year TIPS real yield = projected return at maturity given expected inflation.
WEEKLY QUOTE
“I don’t think success is harmful, as so many people say. Rather, I believe it indispensable to talent, if for nothing else than to increase the talent.”
– Jeanne Moreau
WEEKLY TIP
One way to save more for 2016: reduce or eliminate some of the automatic monthly charges on your bank and credit card statements (such as gym memberships, software fees, and subscriptions).
WEEKLY RIDDLE
I weigh nothing, but you can see me. Put me in a box, and the box will become lighter. What am I?
Last week’s riddle:
A man and a woman wearing very expensive outfits manage, without using wheels or any form of assistance, to push a 6-ton object entirely through their own physical effort. Under what circumstances are they able to do this?
Last week’s answer:
They are astronauts in outer space.
Citations.
1 – marketwatch.com/story/oil-plunges-into-the-20s-a-barrel-on-iran-supply-woes-2016-01-15/ [1/15/16]
2 – reuters.com/article/us-eia-outlook-idUSKCN0UQ2BD20160112 [1/12/16]
3 – foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/01/15/stocks-nosedive-as-global-oil-prices-plunge.print.html [1/15/16]
4 – news.forexlive.com/!/us-stock-indices-end-the-day-down-but-off-lows-20160115 [1/15/16]
5 – marketwatch.com/story/gold-gains-for-the-session-but-falls-for-the-week-2016-01-15 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=1%2F15%2F15&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=1%2F15%2F15&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=1%2F15%2F15&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=1%2F14%2F11&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=1%2F14%2F11&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=1%2F14%2F11&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=DJIA&closeDate=1%2F13%2F06&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=COMP&closeDate=1%2F13%2F06&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
6 – bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical/default.asp?symb=SPX&closeDate=1%2F13%2F06&x=0&y=0 [1/15/16]
7 – treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyield [1/15/16]
8 – treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=realyieldAll [1/15/16]
This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world’s largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other metals trade. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and differences in accounting standards. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. Market indices discussed are unmanaged. Investors cannot invest in unmanaged indices. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., for Mark Lund, Mark is known as The 401k Advisor, Investor Coach, The Financial Advisor, The Financial Planner and author of The Effective Investor. Mark offers investment advisory services through Stonecreek Wealth Advisors, Inc. an independent, fee-only, Registered Investment Advisor firm providing 401k consulting for small businesses and financial Advisor services for professional athletes and individuals. Stonecreek is located in Salt Lake City, Murray City, West Jordan City, Sandy City, Draper City, South Jordan City, Provo City, Orem City, Lehi City, Highland City, Alpine City, and American Fork City in Utah.
