POCKETBOOK Week Ending April 12, 2019

(From Bespoke….I did not include the “Non-Dogs Performance” chart because I was just Dow Dogs hunting.)

• The good Dogs of the Dow

Good news for fans of the Dogs of the Down investment strategy: Their total return is up 13.56% this year. Let’s hear a big “Good girl!” for that.

According to Bespoke, the two tech stocks that have performed the best are IBM, up over 28%, and Cisco, up over 32%. Matching that set, two of the 10 dogs were down as well: Pfizer, down -3.28% and Coca-Cola, off a hair at -0.18%.

 

• Sage advice

From author and wise personal writerJonathan Clements’ recent Humble Dollar newsletter comes this: “But even with the risk of a large short-term market drop, I think stocks remain the best bet for long-term investors. U.S. shares may be richly priced. But those who diversify globally will also have cheaper markets in their portfolio. And let’s face it: With 10-year Treasury notes yielding less than 2.6%, is there any alternative to biting the bullet and buying stocks?”

 

• Market Quick Glance

The performance gods appear to continue smiling on Wall Street as the three indices followed here were up double-digits when last week came to a close.

Below are the weekly and 1-year index performance results for the three major indices—DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ — including the dates each reached new highs. Data is according to CNBC.com and based on prices at the close of business on Friday, April 12, 2019.

–DJIA 13.22% YTD off a hair from the previous week’s 13.28%.

• 1 yr. Rtn 7.88% up a hair from the previous week 7.83%

Most recent DJIA a new ALL-TIME CLOSING HIGH was reached on Oct.3, 2018 of 26,951.81. The previous high was reached on Sept. 21, 2018 of 26,796.16.

 

-S&P 500   15.39% YTD up again from the previous week’s 13.07%

• 1 yr. Rtn 8.63% up from the previous week’s 7.33%.

The S&P 500 reached a BRAND NEW CLOSING ALL-TIME HIGH on Sept. 21, 2018 of 2,940.91. The previous closing high was reached on August 29, 2018 of 2,916.50.

 

-NASDAQ 20.33% YTD up from last week’s 19.64%%

• 1yr Rtn 11.82% down from last week’s 12.18%

Nasdaq reached a BRAND NEW 52-week CLOSING HIGH on August 30, 2018 of 8,1333.30. The previous high was reached on August 24, 2018 of 7,949.71.

 

-Mutual funds

At the close of business on Thursday, April 11, 2017, the year-to-date cumulative total reinvested performance of U.S. Diversified Equity Fund was 15.73%, according to Lipper. That’s up from the previous week’s close of 15.05%.

Those Equity Leverage Funds are still tearing it up as, on average, they have returned 30.99%. In fact, of all the dozens of types of mutual funds that Lipper tracks weekly, this group has rewarded shareholders the most so far this year.

Commodities Energy Funds also continue their upward performance with an average return of 24.63%.

And looking around the world China Region Funds have returned about the same at 23.15% while the average World Equity Funds return stood at 13.57% last Thursday.

Visit www.allaboutfunds.com for more information about how various equity and fixed-income funds have rewarded investors over the short-and long-term, based upon Lipper data. Short-term meaning weekly and monthly performance returns; longer-term includes quarterly, year-to-date, 1-yr, 2-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr returns.

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Kodak: A Snap Shot

Kodak, that really old wonderful company founded in the late 1800’s that brought us Brownie cameras and Kodachrome film has had a rough time of it in this century.  In 2012, for instance,  the company filed for bankruptcy.  Over the past 52-weeks, KODK  has traded as low as $1.50 and then came yesterday, July 28, 2020, when what seemed like all of a sudden,  the gods smiled down and the stock closed up 203%.

What happened?

Well,  you can thank the mighty hand of the president and a loan from the U.S. government.

The deal went something like this: Kodak would be the recipient of a 765 million dollar loan that came about because of the Defense Production Act in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense and all made possible because of the signing of a Donald Trump executive order.

Ya gotta love Donald Trump and the lengths to which he’ll go to tell a story and open the possibilities to making a few quick million bucks along the way.

Obviously, based on the reaction of the stock price on Tuesday, this was one heck of a score for Kodak. Or should I say the new Kodak; Kodak Pharmaceuticals.

In addition to KODK’s stock price being resurrected from the dead by this news, this new arm of the company–Kodak Pharmaceuticals– is tasked with producing key pharm ingredients that will hopefully make a positive difference in finding a pill or vaccine to quell the spread of the COVID-19.

But here’s the kicker, reliable sources report that one of the pharma products Kodak Pharmaceuticals may manufacture is Trump’s favorite, hydroxychloroquine.

Oh my.

For those of us who wished there were privy to getting the scoops on this deal before the opening bell yesterday, because on Monday, July  27, 2022, KODK closed at $2.62 per share. Tuesday morning, July 28, 2020, it opened a $9.63.

Yes, the price jumped around throughout the day getting as high as $11.80, KODK closed yesterday at $7.94 a share on volume of 264.5 million. Not too shabby for a stock that was trading around a couple of bucks last week.

While nobody knows what today will bring for Kodak’s stock— early morning indications look like it will be up over 5 dollars a share. Or, what the future of this new Kodak will be. But something I’d like to know is how many folks had the scoops on this government/business transaction between the closing bell on Monday to the opening one Tuesday?

And, why wasn’t I one of them?

 

 

A Stark Contrast

FROM US TODAY’S “THE DAY IN PICTURES”: The contrast begs the question: Which president, Trump or Putin,  cares the most?

 

Plenty of Meat in Palm Beach

 

On most Saturday’s in most years, finding a parking spot on Worth Avenue around 2 in the afternoon in the middle of the season would be nearly impossible. Not so today. Thanks to the Virus Crisis finding a spot was easy. Too easy, if you ask me and you care about the economy. But that  (the economy) is a subject for another day.

On the other hand. up the road a bit at Publix– the grocer of choice in Palm Beach– the parking lot is nearly filled to capacity. And so were the meat counters—something I found hard to believe as I’d seen near-empty meat racks at both my local Aldi and Costco stores recently.

But Palm Beach is different.

Just as the shelves were pretty well stocked throughout this store,  word is that the  Palm Beach Publix is the second busiest in the entire Publix chain. And, as one employee told me when I asked why no shortage of meat, I was reminded that there is no food shortage.

And he’s right. There is no food shortage.

 

 

 

Gloves: They’re back!

Everything old eventually becomes a fashion trend again! This time around gloves are the fashionable way to fight the coronavirus.

It’s time to dig into the back of your grandma’s closet and drag out those lovely fashion gloves she wore back in the last century. They made a statement back then and now the look is ever more important.

So pull’em out. Put’em on.

You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

Counting squares

 

The coronavirus scare has made hoarders out of every day ordinary non-hoarder kinds of folks. Take the toilet paper rush, for instance. Really people? This virus is an upper respiratory one. Not bottom-based.

Nonetheless, you’d think the stuff was made of gold and going to make you a fortune if only you had enough of it. It won’t.

That said, in an effort to bring a little humor into the day, here’s a toilet paper memory I’d like to share:

I started counting toilet paper square usage (TPSU) years ago. I know. Sounds crazy but hey, the question happened to come up at one of the Friday night meetings of the Ole Ladies group I was a regular at in my townhouse community.

There was no health worry or panic going on at the time. So, there was no crazy need to hoard the stuff like there is today. Consequently, I don’t exactly remember why or how the subject turned to TPSU, but a couple of things came out of that get together that I’ll never forget and always make me smile: First, I’ve been counting the number of squares of toilet paper that I use for both Numbers 1 and 2, ever since. FYI, it’s typically not more than three.

Second, and clear winner when it comes to TPSU competition, came from lovely Eunice. Like the other ole ladies in the group, she had been retired for years.

In her career heyday, Eunice had been a field director with the Library of Congress in New Delhi. It was a plum career position and one she was well suited to, and, came with appreciated government perks like live-in servants and drivers.

I’m going to guess it was a 1-ply TP world that Eunice lived and worked in back fifty years ago. While that’s not surprising because 1-ply is still popular and very much used here today, (it doesn’t clog toilets or septic tanks like the really soft 2- and 3-ply stuff does), it was her handling of the delicate yet sometimes harsh tissue that had us all guessing how in the world she managed to keep a tidy bottom. You see, Eunice used 1 square of toilet paper for each discharge. One square. That’s it.

But wait, there’s more. Eunice didn’t just ball up her one, wafer-thin maybe 3”x3” TP square and wipe with it. Nope. Instead, before putting it to its necessary use, this librarian ever-so-gently took her one appointed toilet paper square and first, folded it in half. And then, in half again. Really.

I’m remembering this as one of those jaw-dropping disbelief, shock and “huh?” moments that left everyone around the table belly laughing because none of us could believe what Eunice was telling us: One square, halved then halved again? How could what, an inch of tissue possibly do the dirty work required of it even for those with the tiniest of tushy’s? But, it was for her.

And, maybe it will be for you, too. Next time you go, give it a try.

Be well.

 

 

 

 

 

PBTrumpBits: Tweeterly D Tweeterly Dumb

Bragging about how great the stock market is performing under his rule, and before he caught the error, Donald Trump tweeted that everyone should check their “409K’S” to see how rich they have become. I did. I need more.

Nothing gripes me more than hugely inaccurate money information. And today I’m griped-out thanks to the ridiculously inaccurate information shared in Tweetland by our president.

As most of us in these United States of America know, not all workers have much if any disposable income to spend or save. Nor do the majority of working Americans have a qualified retirement account–such as a 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA– that they fund, meaning, actually put money into.

One who doesn’t know this, or, has any clue about the money realities of real working folks is POTUS.

According to USA TODAY, on 1/10/20, Donald Trump tweeted:

“STOCK MARKET AT ALL-TIME HIGH! HOW ARE YOUR 409K’S DOING? 70%, 80%, 90% up? Only 50% up! What are you doing wrong?”

Really Donald? How sadly ignorant. Allow me to explain:

First, Mr. President, it isn’t “409K’S” it’s “401 (k)”.  And “409” is the brand name of a popular house cleaning product. Something I’m going to guess you also know little about.

Second, roughly only about half of Americans have access to a 401 (k), according to CNBC. And the Census Bureau reports that about 32% of Americans are saving for retirement in a 401(k).

Third, to pronounce that everyone’s qualified retirement account is up 70 to 90% and that if their account had only gained 50% they must be doing something wrong is pretty close to goofy.

Goofy because neither one of the three stock market indices, the S&P 500, Nasdaq, or DJIA, were up even close to 50% in 2019. And, while it was a great double-digit year for each of those indices that represent the stock markets’ performances, their 2019 returns were up 28%, 35%, and 22% respectively.

As all of us know, telling the truth is really important. Especially when it comes to money in our 2020 world.

 

POCKETBOOK Week Ending May 31, 2019

 

• I’m on vacation

After more than 20-years of writing this weekly blog, I’ve decided to take the month of June off. No blog. No market or mutual fund update. No opinion.

Not sure how successful I’ll be at keeping my fingers off the keyboard but I’ll give it a try.

In the meantime, if you’re a day trader, market volatility is not your friend unless you are a really skilled and lucky day trader. Which, most people aren’t.

If you’re a long-term investor, market ups and downs are a natural part of the deal. Buckle up.

Some thoughts: Re current market conditions, given that we have a president who has threatened and in some cases imposed our most active trading partners with tariffs that has/does/will impact our markets and, as a result, the prices you and I pay for all sorts of things from groceries, to automobiles, etc., you’d be wise to expect some challenging times ahead. Additionally,  this guy— who has a passion for insulting everyone, fancies aggressive war-like behavior, boasts about all he does and lies daily— is best taken with a grain of salt  no matter what he or tv talking heads have to say. Our economy isn’t as  rosy as they’d all like you to believe.  Plus,  don’t forget that economies are socially sensitive,  fickle and hence fragile.

Add to that, we have debt problems; an inverted yield curve; oil prices that are falling; natural disasters on the rise around America that will result in billions of dollars needed to be spent to help those in the areas where people/businesses have suffered; weather issues that are going to impact what farmers produce in the near and not-so-near future; recession worries; global market concerns and the list of things to worry about goes on and on.

Bottom line: Why not go fishing?  Spending time in nature has a wonderful way of clearing your head and making you smile.

 

 

• Market Quick Glance

Weekly downers.

But the good news is year-to-date returns are okay—up about 10% and more.

Below are the weekly and 1-year index performance results for the three major indices—DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ — including the dates each reached new highs. Data is according to CNBC.com and based on prices at the close of business on Friday, May 31, 2019.

–DJIA 6.38% YTD way down again from the previous week of 9.68%.

• 1 yr. Rtn 1.64% way down again from the previous week 3.12%

Most recent DJIA a new ALL-TIME CLOSING HIGH was reached on Oct.3, 2018 of 26,951.81. The previous high was reached on Sept. 21, 2018 of 26,796.16.

 

-S&P 500   9.78% YTD way down again from the previous week’s 12.73%

• 1 yr. Rtn 1.73% way down from the previous week’s 3.60%.

*****The S&P 500 reached a BRAND NEW CLOSING ALL-TIME HIGH on Friday April 26, 2019 of 2,939.88. The previous all-time closing high was on Sept. 21, 2018 of 2,940.91. Prior to that, the high of 2,916.50 was reached on August 29, 2018.

 

-NASDAQ 12.33% YTD down again from last week’s 15.10%.

• 1yr Rtn 0.15% way down from last week’s 2.86%.

*********Nasdaq reached a BRAND NEW All-Time CLOSING HIGH on Friday, April 26, 2019 of 8,146.40. Prior to that, the previous high of 8,1333.30 was reached on August 30, 2018. Before that, on August 24, 2018 reached it’s then all-time high of 7,949.71.

 

-Mutual funds

The slide continues.

At the close of business on Thursday, May 30 , 2019, the year-to-date cumulative total reinvested performance of U.S. Diversified Equity Fund was 11.21%,according to Lipper.

Other averages y-t-d returns:

-Sector Equity Funds (5/31/19), 10.38%;

-World Equity Funds, 8.58%;

-Mixed Asset Funds, 7.55%;

-Domestic Long-term Fixed-Income Funds, 4.49%;

– And World Income Funds, 4.97%.

Visit www.allaboutfunds.com for more information about how various equity and fixed-income funds have rewarded investors over the short-and long-term, based upon Lipper data. Short-term meaning weekly and monthly performance returns; longer-term includes quarterly, year-to-date, 1-yr, 2-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr returns.

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POCKETBOOK Week Ending May 17, 2019

 

• Happy Spenders and our Great(?) Economy

Whoa. I was at the brand new multi-thousand foot At Home décor store yesterday in North Palm Beach, FL. The hugely huge parking lot was jammed as were the too-many-to-count aisles. As you might imagine, the check-out line snaked around and you would have thought the joint was giving away stuff. They weren’t.

From there it was on to a Sunday stop at Costco and then Aldi’s. Jammola in both stores and their respective parking lots. I said something to the cashier at Costco about the crowd and he said, “It’s a great economy.”

Apparently it is.

Then again, Ford just announced it’s laying off about 10% of its 7,000 white collar work force with about 2,400 of the cuts coming to those in North America and 1,500 others to be eliminated via oluntary buyouts, according to CNN Business.

Then again, again, American households are now holding more debt than they did prior to the 2008 financial crisis. According to CNBC.com, 55% of U.S adults have credit card debt with 22% of them reporting the balances they carry range between $100 and $500 while10% have balances over $5,000.

But wait there’s more: Consumer sentiment is the highest it’s been in 15 years, according to a new University of Michigan survey.

“Consumers viewed prospect for the overall economy much more favorable, with the economic outlook for the near and longer term reaching their highest levels since 2004,” said Richard Curtin, chief economist for the Surveys of Consumers.

So happy moods are here again.

Then again, so far this year at least 10 stores– whose names we are all familiar with– are closing some of their stores. They include: Victoria’s Secret; JCPenny; Family Dollar; Gymboree; Payless ShoeSource; Charlotte Russe; GAP; Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Brant: the Ascena Retail Group; Macy’s; and LifeWay Christian Stores.

Huh. I wonder how long our reportedly lowest unemployment rate in decades is going to last.

 

• Market Quick Glance

Last week there were downers everywhere as in on both the year-to-date returns and 1-year ones for the DJIA, S&P500 and NASDAQ.

Below are the weekly and 1-year index performance results for the three major indices—DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ — including the dates each reached new highs. Data is according to CNBC.com and based on prices at the close of business on Friday, May 17, 2019.

–DJIA 10.44% YTD down again from the previous week–it closed at 11.21%.

• 1 yr. Rtn 4.25% down again from the previous week 4.86%

Most recent DJIA a new ALL-TIME CLOSING HIGH was reached on Oct.3, 2018 of 26,951.81. The previous high was reached on Sept. 21, 2018 of 26,796.16.

 

-S&P 500   14.07% YTD down from the previous week’s 14.95%

• 1 yr. Rtn 5.12% down from the previous week’s 5.81%.

*****The S&P 500 reached a BRAND NEW CLOSING ALL-TIME HIGH on Friday April 26, 2019 of 2,939.88. The previous all-time closing high was on Sept. 21, 2018 of 2,940.91. Prior to that, the high of 2,916.50 was reached on August 29, 2018.

 

-NASDAQ 17.80% YTD down again from last week’s 19.32%.

• 1yr Rtn 5.88% way down from last week’s 6.91%.

*********Nasdaq reached a BRAND NEW All-Time CLOSING HIGH on Friday, April 26, 2019 of 8,146.40. Prior to that, the previous high of 8,1333.30 was reached on August 30, 2018. Before that, on August 24, 2018 reached it’s then all-time high of 7,949.71.

 

-Mutual funds

The slide continues.

At the close of business on Thursday, May 16, 2019, the year-to-date cumulative total reinvested performance of U.S. Diversified Equity Fund was 15.04%,according to Lipper. That’s down from the previous week’s close of 15.11%.

Even though there has been a slide in the average year-to-date returns, many different types of funds have average returns near 20% and more. A few of them under the large umbrella heading of U.S. Diversified Equity Funds include;

-Large-Cap Growth funds, 19.30%;

-Multi-Cap Growth funds, 19.50%;

-Mid-Cap Growth Funds, 22.51%;

-Small-Cap Growth funds, 20.73%;

-and Equity Leverage funds, 24.84%.

Visit www.allaboutfunds.com for more information about how various equity and fixed-income funds have rewarded investors over the short-and long-term, based upon Lipper data. Short-term meaning weekly and monthly performance returns; longer-term includes quarterly, year-to-date, 1-yr, 2-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr returns.

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POCKETBOOK Week Ending May 10, 2019

And you thought everyone had a cellphone and computer.

• The high cost of tariffs

Don’t be fooled by President Trump’s game of twiddlywinks he continues to play with our lives, our money and China over tariffs.

Most recently, he is playing a game to win you over in a couple of different ways: First, and most importantly, by playing with your pocketbook. Trump’s increased tariffs on the Chinese goods we import actually costs each and every one of us who purchases products made in China more.  Second, he’s flexing his muscle in a war that nobody wins.

So even if the president was able to come to some kind of agreement that winds up returning monies to the U.S., that headline might make news for a while but it’s the kind of news that doesn’t count—unless paying more is the counting you’re counting.

Since Trump’s increased tariffs imposed on China last week, China has retaliated by slapping billions in tariffs on the kinds of products American’s are fond of using. Such as coffee, beef, salmon, flowers,some fruits and veggies, according to USA TODAY.

As you’ve no doubt heard before and will no doubt continue to hear: No one wins a tariff war.

 

• Market Quick Glance

And the worm has turned as all indices followed here were lower at their close on Friday than they were on Friday of the previous week. For how long the market dives is anyone’s guess.

BOTTOM LINES: Trump’s tariffs are costing everybody from the bottom line on corporate earnings, the bottom line on the major indices, and the bottom line in your personal and/or retirement accounts.

Below are the weekly and 1-year index performance results for the three major indices—DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ — including the dates each reached new highs. Data is according to CNBC.com and based on prices at the close of business on Friday, May 10, 2019.

–DJIA 11.21% YTD down a heap from the previous week’s 13.62%.

• 1 yr. Rtn 4.86% way down from the previous week 9.13%

Most recent DJIA a new ALL-TIME CLOSING HIGH was reached on Oct.3, 2018 of 26,951.81. The previous high was reached on Sept. 21, 2018 of 26,796.16.

 

-S&P 500   14.95% YTD down a heap from the previous week’s 17.50%

• 1 yr. Rtn 5.81% way down from the previous week’s 12.01%.

*****The S&P 500 reached a BRAND NEW CLOSING ALL-TIME HIGH on Friday April 26, 2019 of 2,939.88. The previous all-time closing high was on Sept. 21, 2018 of 2,940.91. Prior to that, the high of 2,916.50 was reached on August 29, 2018.

 

-NASDAQ 19.32% YTD down a heap from last week’s 23.04%.

• 1yr Rtn 6.91% way down from last week’s 15.18%.

*********Nasdaq reached a BRAND NEW All-Time CLOSING HIGH on Friday, April 26, 2019 of 8,146.40. Prior to that, the previous high of 8,1333.30 was reached on August 30, 2018. Before that, on August 24, 2018 reached it’s then all-time high of 7,949.71.

 

-Mutual funds

Dipping down.

At the close of business on Thursday, May 9, 2019, the year-to-date cumulative total reinvested performance of U.S. Diversified Equity Fund was 15.11%, according to Lipper. That’s down from the previous week’s close of 16.50%.

Here’s a look at how the average fund type under various equity fund headings have performed year-to-date through May 9, 2019 and compared to their 1^st quarter returns:

-U.S. Diversified Equity Funds, 15.11% (still above 1^st quarter return of 13.27%).

-Sector Equity Funds, 12.44 (still above 1^st quarter average return of12.98%.)

-World Equity Funds, 10.77% (below their 1^st quarter average return of 11.29%.)

-Mixed Asset Funds, 8.86% (lower than 1^st quarter average return of 8.21%).

-Domestic L-T Fixed Income Funds, 4.14% ( higher than 1^st quarter average return of 3.56%.

-World Income Funds, 4.03% (higher than 1^st quarter average return of 3.77%.)

Visit www.allaboutfunds.com for more information about how various equity and fixed-income funds have rewarded investors over the short-and long-term, based upon Lipper data. Short-term meaning weekly and monthly performance returns; longer-term includes quarterly, year-to-date, 1-yr, 2-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr returns.

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• Sell in May?

For fans of a six-month investment strategy there is none better than the Sell in May and Go Away one. This technique, according to CNBC.com, involves investing in the DJIA between Nov. 1 and April 30 then switching to fixed income for the other six months of the year has proved profitable over the long haul for some.

One example, also from that same source, pointed out the following: Put $10,000 into the S&P500 between May 1 and Oct. 31, 1950 to the present, (I’m assuming that means April 30 as the story was published on May 1), and you’d have been a loser: Your 10g’s would have dwindled to $4,138. That’s a loss of $5,862. PU.

On the other hand, had you followed the Sell in May and go away formula and put $10,000 into the S&P500 from Nov.1 through April 20, you’d have enjoyed a gain of—-hold on to your hat— $2,836,350.

Another example from that same source: Plunk $10,000 on May 1 in 1950 into the DJIA, keep it there until October 31, and the years would have rewarded you with about $1,000.

But do the buy Nov. 1 and sell on April 30 beginning in 1950 and ending in April of this year and you’d have a return of over $1 million smackeroos.

Sounds tempting, doesn’t it.

But like all tempting things, this strategy comes with no guarantees of making any money over the long term. And, with our current Trump economy– that even the wisest of talking heads can’t figure out– the risk-reward ratio of putting that Sell in May play into motion is greater than ever.

Player beware.

 

• Market Quick Glance

Both the S&P and NASDAQ moved ahead last week—not so for the Dow.

But can these highs keep on going? That’s not likely if President Trump’s tariff threats re China are imposed. Tariff wars are not good for any country or their respective stock markets.

Below are the weekly and 1-year index performance results for the three major indices—DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ — including the dates each reached new highs. Data is according to CNBC.com and based on prices at the close of business on Friday, May 3, 2019.

–DJIA 13.62% YTD down a hair from the previous week’s 13.79%.

• 1 yr. Rtn 9.13% up from the previous week 9.13%

Most recent DJIA a new ALL-TIME CLOSING HIGH was reached on Oct.3, 2018 of 26,951.81. The previous high was reached on Sept. 21, 2018 of 26,796.16.

 

-S&P 500   17.50% YTD up a bit from the previous week’s 17.27%

• 1 yr. Rtn 12.01% up from the previous week’s 10.23%.

*****The S&P 500 reached a BRAND NEW CLOSING ALL-TIME HIGH on Friday April 26, 2019 of 2,939.88. The previous all-time closing high was on Sept. 21, 2018 of 2,940.91. Prior to that, the high of 2,916.50 was reached on August 29, 2018.

 

-NASDAQ 23.04% YTD up from last week’s 22.77%.

• 1yr Rtn 15.18% up from last week’s 14.44%.

*********Nasdaq reached a BRAND NEW All-Time CLOSING HIGH on Friday, April 26, 2019 of 8,146.40. Prior to that, the previous high of 8,1333.30 was reached on August 30, 2018. Before that, on August 24, 2018 reached it’s then all-time high of 7,949.71.

 

-Mutual funds

Keeping investors smiling.

And it was another week when year-to-date returns for equity funds proved positive for fund shareholders. At the close of business on Thursday, May 2, 2019, the year-to-date cumulative total reinvested performance of U.S. Diversified Equity Fund was 16.50%, according to Lipper. That’s down a hair from the previous week’s close of 16.54%.

Looking at how equity funds performed during the first quarter of 2019 shows the following:

-U.S. Diversified Equity Funds 1^st quarter average return: 13.27%.

-Sector Equity Funds 1^st quarter average return: 12.98%.

-World Equity Funds 1^st quarter average return: 11.29%.

-Mixed Asset Funds 1^st quarter average return: 8,21%.

-Domestic L-T Fixed Income Funds 1^st quarter average return: 3.56%.

-World Income Funds 1^st quarter average return: 3.77%.

Visit www.allaboutfunds.com for more information about how various equity and fixed-income funds have rewarded investors over the short-and long-term, based upon Lipper data. Short-term meaning weekly and monthly performance returns; longer-term includes quarterly, year-to-date, 1-yr, 2-yr, 3-yr and 5-yr returns.

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TrumpBits#33: Trump gets his Wall

Over the past few years, candidate and now President Trump has been talking about building a wall to protect us. Now, two years into his presidency, a wall has appeared. It’s a wall created by Trump and paid for by the American public.  How long it will stand is anybody’s guess.