Presented by Jon Robertson
Prospects of cooling inflation powered a rally in stock prices last week despite growing recession concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.39%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 6.45%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 7.49% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, edged 0.78% higher.1,2,3 |
Stocks BounceDeclining energy and food prices and falling bond yields signaled a potentially improving inflation outlook, buoying investor sentiment. The rally in stocks was most powerful on the first and final trading days of a holiday-shortened week. Stocks turned a bit choppy mid-week as investors digested Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Senate appearance but resumed their momentum on Thursday and rallied Friday as rate-hike expectations eased. Though the weekly gain was a welcome respite from the market’s downward trend, declining bond yields and falling food and energy prices can also be interpreted as signs of slowing economic growth, which may represent a headwind for corporate earnings in the months ahead. Powell TestifiesFed Chair Jerome Powell told members of the Senate Finance Committee that the Fed is committed to lowering inflation and moving quickly to do so. He conceded that a recession could result from the Fed’s inflation-fighting efforts and acknowledged that some of the forces driving inflation (e.g., supply chain, war) are out of the Fed’s control.4 Perhaps the most exciting part of his testimony was what he didn’t say, which was a definitive statement on future hikes. Instead, Powell told lawmakers that he “anticipate[s] that ongoing rate increases will be appropriate.” Before his testimony, the Fed published a new research paper that found a greater than 50% chance of recession in the next four quarters.5 This Week: Key Economic DataMonday: Durable Goods Orders. Tuesday: Consumer Confidence. Wednesday: Gross Domestic Product (Third Estimate for Q1). Thursday: Jobless Claims. Friday: Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Index. Source: Econoday, June 24, 2022 This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsWednesday: General Mills, Inc. (GIS). Thursday: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU), Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ), Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA). Source: Zacks, June 24, 2022 |
“You can’t win every week.” – Caryl Churchill |
Get Educated on Education CreditsTwo education credits are available to American taxpayers: the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). The IRS has lots of information about these two credits on their site, but here are some helpful highlights:
* 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 |
Healthy Roadtrip SnacksSummer is the season for road trips! Whether taking a short drive from your house or heading off on a cross-country adventure, many families are packing up the car for some time away. One of the best parts about road trip are the snacks, but they aren’t always the healthiest. Luckily, there are many easy snacks you can prepare for your trip. Skip the chips at the gas station and snack on these healthy road trip snacks instead:
Tip adapted from Healthline7 |
In a drawer are six pairs of red socks, four pairs of white socks and five pairs of blue socks. In total darkness, how many socks would you have to grab to be certain you had a matching pair? Last week’s riddle: It has 18 legs, is uniformed, walks and runs on grass and artificial turf, and catches flies. What is it? Riddle answer: A baseball team. |
Four Peaks, Gila County, Arizona |
Footnotes and Sources
2. The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2022 3. The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2022 4. The Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2022 5. The Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2022 6. IRS.gov, March 20, 2020 7. healthline.com, February 26, 2022 |
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