Goldilocks Returns  
WEEKLY UPDATE - MARCH 12, 2018
In This Issue
Domestic stocks leapt ahead last week as the latest jobs report inspired renewed confidence in our economic standing. The S&P 500 added 3.54%, and the Dow gained 3.25%. [1] The NASDAQ erased its losses from February's market correction to hit a new record close while growing 4.17% for the week. [2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE increased by 1.79% .[3]
In addition to solid stock growth, Friday, March 9, also brought a significant milestone in the markets: the 9 th anniversary of our current bull market. The Dow is now in the midst of its longest-ever bull run, and the S&P 500's bull market is its 2 nd-longest and -largest ever. [4] 

To put the recovery in perspective, 9 years ago, the S&P 500 closed at only 676.53. By market's close last Friday, the index was at 2,786.57-more than 4 times its value at the bull market's start. [5] 

What drove last week's market performance?

While talk of tariffs on aluminum and steel imports affected stocks last week, a major jobs report was arguably the biggest market mover. [6] The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest jobs report on Friday, and the numbers relieved many investors' inflation concerns. The data showed that the economy added 313,000 jobs in February - far more than what analysts expected.  

At the same time, wages only grew by 2.6% from this time last year, below the prediction. [7] 

What does this data mean?

Bloomberg called the labor report a "'Goldilocks' scenario," because it indicates that the economy is neither too hot nor too cold. The data reveals that many people are returning to the workforce, but wages are not increasing fast enough to trigger significant inflation. [8] 

This jobs report also contrasts with last month's data, which showed wages rising faster than expected. That report contributed to February's market correction. [9] 

Ultimately, some analysts believe the latest data implies that inflation is less of a concern, and the Fed may only increase interest rates 3 times this year. [10] 

Later this month, Federal Reserve leaders will meet to determine whether to raise interest rates and will also provide their latest economic projections. [11] Looking ahead, we will continue to analyze the interplay between labor, inflation, and interest rates - and how these forces may affect your financial life .    


ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Tuesday: Consumer Price Index
Wednesday:  Retail Sales    
Thursday: Jobless Claims, Housing Market Index
Friday:  Housing Starts, Industrial Production, Consumer Sentiment




Notes: All index returns (except S&P 500) exclude reinvested dividends, and the 5-year and 10-year returns are annualized. The total returns for the S&P 500 assume reinvestment of dividends on the last day of the month. This may account for differences between the index returns published on  Morningstar.com and the index returns published elsewhere. International performance is represented by the MSCI EAFE Index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.


" Frugality includes all the other virtues."

- Cicero

Flatbread Cubano Sandwiches

Serves 4

Ingredients:  
  • 4 ounces lower-sodium Swiss cheese, very thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces lower-sodium deli ham, very thinly sliced
  • ½ cup thinly sliced dill pickles, patted dry
  • ½ cup packed fresh cilantro
  • 8 (6") flour tortillas
  • Spicy brown mustard, for serving
Directions:  
  1. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. 
  2. Distribute lower-sodium Swiss cheese, lower-sodium deli ham, dill pickles, and cilantro on 4 flour tortillas on the prepared sheet. 
  3. Put another flour tortilla on top of each.
  4. Spray the tops with the nonstick cooking spray.
  5. In 475°F oven, bake until bottoms are golden brown, 6-8 minutes.
  6. Use spatula to turn over sandwiches.
  7. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp, 6 minutes.
  8. Serve with spicy brown mustard.
   
Recipe adapted from Good Housekeeping [12]

Keep It Simple for a Powerful Swing  

Many golfers spend a lot of their time examining and analyzing every detail of their swings: the grip, the body rotation, the movement of the clubface, the shifting of their legs during the swing, the feet placement, the torso twisting, even the mental gymnastics of the single most important part of the game.   

With all this deep thinking, what happens most of the time? The mechanics of the swing gets entangled in a wide and nuanced mesh of tricks and techniques, some of it committed to distant memory, some loosely incorporated into your game, and some long forgotten.

Occasionally, the pros call players back to the basics. Their advice: Keep it simple.

Here are 3 tips to simplify your swing:
  1. The address and backswing: Stay centered. Keep your weight neutral at address. Support your weight equally on both feet. However, do stay cognizant of the weight on the inside of your right foot. 
     
  2. Keep it even during the downswing: Many players shift their weight away from the ball during the backswing and then back to the front during follow-through. Try instead to emphasize rotation - taking a page from the baseball players' handbook.
     
  3. Build speed in the downswing and follow-through. The caveat: Don't let your hands generate the speed. A better way: Allow the speed to increase on the way down on the swing so the fastest is at ball contact. Picturing the swing as a clock, the highest club speed should be between the 7 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions.
Returning to the basics can sometimes improve your game significantly.


Tip adapted from Golf Digest[14]
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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 advisor for further information.

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[1] www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/us-stock-futures-dow-data-nonfarm-payrolls-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html


[2]  www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-09/nasdaq-takes-just-one-month-to-recoup-worst-losses-in-two-years


[3] www.msci.com/end-of-day-data-search

[4]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/08/the-bull-market-just-turned-9-years-old-heres-how-the-stock-surge-compares-with-past-runs.html

[5]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/us-stock-futures-dow-data-nonfarm-payrolls-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html

abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-bull-market-hits-ninth-birthday-2nd-longest-53632885

[6]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/us-stock-futures-dow-data-nonfarm-payrolls-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html

[7]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/nonfarm-payrolls-february.html

[8]  www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-09/it-s-market-deja-vu-jobs-beat-wages-miss-and-stocks-rally

[9]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/us-stock-futures-dow-data-nonfarm-payrolls-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html

[10]  www.cnbc.com/2018/03/09/us-stock-futures-dow-data-nonfarm-payrolls-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html

[11]  wsj-us.econoday.com/byshoweventfull.asp?fid=481816&cust=wsj-us&year=2018&lid=0&prev=/byweek.asp#top

[12]  www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/easy/a44230/flatbread-cubano-sandwiches-recipe/

[13] www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-taxpayers-across-the-country-can-have-their-taxes-prepared-for-free
[14] www.golfdigest.com/story/simplify-your-driver-swing-for-effortless-power
[15] www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/default.htm
[16]  www.globalstewards.org/stop-junkmail.htm

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David P. Little & Tyler D. Little
Little & Associates Wealth Management
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