Money Talks – November 21, 2015

Radio, Radio: Whole Show Recording

This week on “Money Talks,” Principal Bil Lako, CFP® joins Research Analysts Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA and Nick Antonucci to discuss the market’s reaction to the November 13th attacks on Paris. They discuss how this may affect interest rates and the strength of the U.S. dollar going forward. The experts also discuss how the third-quarter earnings season is wrapping up, as well as inflation indicators, the Producer Price and Consumer Price indices. The hosts also discuss a case about an investor who is confused by the investment advice he’s been given from another adviser. They demystify several terms of financial jargon that every investor should know. A listener’s question on hometown companies Delta and Home Depot is also answered.

Market Roundup: Markets Have a Strong Week Ahead of the Holiday

Market Commentary, Radio

The markets started the week on a positive trajectory with gains in both the Energy and Utilities sectors. Trading ended mixed on Tuesday. The Energy sector weighed on the markets as a result of a downswing in crude oil. The Consumer Price Index ticked up by 0.2%. Industrial production decreased by 0.2% in October, while manufacturing output, however, increased by 0.4%. Mid-week, investors reacted favorably to minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Comments from the October meeting indicated the majority of members supported a rate hike in December, although no decision had been made, and any move continues to be data dependent. The markets pulled back on Thursday with Healthcare stocks trading lower while Technology stocks traded higher. Labor Department data showed initial jobless claims decreased by 5,000 to 271,000 last week. On Friday, the markets were buoyed by news of stronger-than-anticipated sales from retailers. The weekly results ended strong ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and the beginning of the holiday shopping season.