The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 2.13%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 2.63% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 1.20%.^1,2,3

Watching Bonds

Stocks began the week moving lower as bond yields climbed higher, with growth stocks suffering some of the steepest declines. Investors considered China’s ongoing lockdown warily, worried it might worsen supply-chain issues.

Historically high consumer and producer price inflation reports were shrugged off by the stock and bond markets in the main, with bond yields slipping despite the hot inflation numbers. Despite an encouraging start to the first-quarter earnings season, stocks pulled back on Friday as bond yields resumed their move higher ahead of a three-day holiday weekend.

An Eye on Inflation

On Tuesday, March’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report offered little indication that inflation may be moderating, as prices increased 8.5% year-over-year, the fastest pace in 40 years. Core inflation, excluding food and energy prices, recorded a 6.5% jump, the steepest rise since August 1982. One encouraging note was that core inflation showed potential signs of ebbing, posting a monthly increase of 0.3% versus expectations of a 0.5% increase.⁴

The following day, March’s Producer Price Index, a potential insight into future inflation, rose 11.2% year-over-year. A March survey by the National Federation of Independent Business released earlier in the week, indicated that half of the respondents were likely to raise prices in the next three months.⁵

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: Housing Starts.

Wednesday: Existing Home Sales.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. Index of Leading Economic Indicators. 

Friday: Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) Composite Flash.

^{Source: Econoday, April 14, 2022
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: Bank of America Corporation (BAC), J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT).

Tuesday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), Prologis, Inc. (PLD).

Wednesday: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), CSX Corporation (CSX).

Thursday: AT&T, Inc. (T), United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL), Snap, Inc. (SNAP), Blackstone, Inc. (BX), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP), Dow, Inc. (DOW).

Friday: Verizon Communications, Inc. (VZ), American Express Company (AXP), KimberlyClark Corporation (KMB). 

^{Source: Zacks, April 14, 2022
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.}

– Maya Angelou

Electronic Filing Options for Military Families

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a number of online resources for military members and their families. Some of these resources include:

• IRS Free File. This program offers online tax preparation, electronic filing and direct deposit of refunds, at no cost.
• Members of military and their families who have income below $72,000 can choose from any of the Free File tax software companies that the IRS has compiled.
• Free File Fillable Forms is available for those who have income above $72,000.
• Using Free File can help taxpayers figuring things like their earned income tax credit, child and dependent care credit and Recovery Rebate Credit.
• Miltax is another free tax resource available for the military community, offered through the Department of Defense.

* 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

Easy Herbs to Grow Inside

Spring is in the air! Even if you don’t have a green thumb, these herbs are super easy to grow inside. Herbs add a little greenery to your home and are healthy and delicious. A win-win!

Here are some of the easiest herbs to grow inside:

• Basil
• Bay leaves
• Chives
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Thyme

When planning out your indoor herb garden, you may need to separate the herbs into their own containers because they each have different watering schedules and sunlight requirements. Thyme, rosemary, and oregano enjoy much less water than basil, for example. Once you know a little bit about the care of each herb, your garden will thank you.

Tip adapted from Gardeners.com⁷

How much dirt is in a 2-foot diameter hole that is 4 feet deep? 

Last week’s riddle:  When you take away the whole from this, you still have some leftover. What is it?  Answer:  Wholesome. 

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, April 14, 2022}

^{2. The Wall Street Journal, April 14, 2022}

^{3. The Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2022}

^{4. CNBC, April 12, 2022}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2022}

^{6. IRS.gov, February 25, 2021}

^{7. Gardeners.com, April 9, 2021}

^{The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.}

^{The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.}

^{The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. 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 technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.}

^{U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. 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.}

^{International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.}

^{Please consult your financial professional for additional information.}

^{This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.}

^{Copyright 2022 FMG Suite.}