Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 7-24-2017

  • Economic data for the week was mixed, with several regional manufacturing surveys showing weaker yet still expanding metrics, but strong housing starts and monthly index of broad leading indicators.
  • Equity markets gained globally, with emerging markets outperforming developed markets.  Bonds also fared well, with interest rates declining worldwide amidst dovish central bank language and weaker inflation.  Commodity indexes fell overall as oil prices declined a bit for the week, offset partially by a rise in gold.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 7-17-2017

  • Economic data for the week was highlighted by a decline in retail sales, consumer sentiment, job openings and year-over-year consumer inflation, while industrial production ticked higher.  Investors were also reassured by Fed Chair Yellen’s comments concerning a continued slow pace of monetary policy tightening.
  • Equities in the U.S. and many foreign markets experienced gains for the week, as global sentiment improved in a few areas.  Bond prices rose upon interest rates falling globally.  Commodity indexes rose on the heels of a weaker dollar and rebound in crude oil prices for the week.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 7-10-2017

  • Economic data for the holiday-abbreviated week was mixed, with stronger ISM and non-ISM index data, while the monthly employment situation report underwhelmed a bit in some respects.
  • Equity markets were mixed with the U.S. edging slightly higher, while foreign equities lagged across the board for the most part.  Bonds lost ground in most sectors as interest rates again edged higher, with U.S. debt outperforming foreign.  Commodities lost ground again due to continued weakness in energy prices.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 7-03-2017

  • Economic data for the week was led by weaker durable goods orders, pending home sales and jobless claims, while several consumer sentiment measures strengthened.
  • Equities were mixed for the week, with declines in the U.S. and foreign developed markets, while other groups were little changed.  Investment-grade bonds suffered due to interest rates creeping higher.  Commodities gained due to a rebound in the price of crude oil for the first time in weeks.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 6-26-2017

  • In a slow week for economic data to open the summer, several housing metrics showed strength, as did the Index of Leading Economic Indicators, while jobless claims ticked upward slightly.
  • Equities gained a bit for the week in the U.S., Japan and emerging markets, while Europe and the U.K. declined.  Bonds were up slightly with mixed interest rate changes across the yield curve.  Commodities lost ground as high oil supplies continued to push down prices.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 6-19-2017

  • Economic news for the week centered on the Fed, which raised rates another quarter-percent.  Other data included a drop in retail sales and disappointing housing metrics, continued low jobless claims, and strength in a variety of regional manufacturing surveys.
  • Equity markets were flattish in the U.S., but declined for the most part abroad.  Bonds fared better, with lower long-term rates despite the Fed’s raising of short-term rates.  Commodities lost ground, with crude oil losing several percent on the week.

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Fed Note

Fed Note:

The June FOMC meeting ended today, and resulted in a +0.25% hike in the fed funds target rate, bringing this to a new range of 1.00-1.25%.  In fact, Fed Funds futures had shown a 99%+ probability of this outcome, which implied a lack of surprise.  There was one dissent, from Minneapolis Fed president Kashkari, who preferred to keep rates at the lower level.

The official statement noted the strong pace of labor markets, despite a moderation in job gains recently, as well as economic activity rising ‘moderately’ this year generally.  Additionally, a reference was made to household and business fixed spending continuing to expand, while inflation declined back below target levels.  Most importantly, perhaps, was the announcement of greater detail surrounding the plan to reduce Fed security holdings (‘the balance sheet’) by decreasing reinvestments.  A specific timeline was not mentioned other than ‘this year’.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 6-12-2017

  • Economic data for the week was very light, and limited to a slight pareback in non-manufacturing growth and continued low readings for jobless claims.
  • Equities performed negatively around the world last week, especially in the U.S. technology sector, reversing recent strength.  Bonds also suffered as interest rates ticked upward and foreign bonds were held back by a stronger dollar.  Commodities declined as oil prices again fell due to oversupply concerns.

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LSA Trade Date Reminder

** TRADE DATE TODAY – June 12, 2017! **

**LSA REVISION VIDEO HAS BEEN POSTED**

 

Portfolio Revisions

Private Client Revisions – (Inclusive of the NTF Models)

LSA will be making revisions to the following portfolios:

Bear Market Entry Bear Market Entry TDA NTF Cautious Bear Plus Cautious Bear Plus Schwab NTF Cautious Bear Plus TDA NTF Private Client Private Client Fidelity NTF Private Client Schwab NTF Private Client TDA NTF

These are the only models that we are making changes to at this time.  The revision allocation and notes have already been posted to the website and we the revision video is now available for you to view. LSA is targeting June 12th to implement these changes.

*As a reminder, the Revision Explanation Presentation/Video is posted….to view please CLICK HERE or visit the LSA website.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at support@LSAportfolios.com or call us at 866-581-5724.

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LSA Revisions June 2017

Private Client Revisions – (Inclusive of the NTF Models)

LSA will be making revisions to the following portfolios:

  • Bear Market Entry
  • Bear Market Entry TDA NTF
  • Cautious Bear Plus
  • Cautious Bear Plus Schwab NTF
  • Cautious Bear Plus TDA NTF
  • Private Client
  • Private Client Fidelity NTF
  • Private Client Schwab NTF
  • Private Client TDA NTF

These are the only models that we are making changes to at this time.  The revision allocation and notes have already been posted to the website and we will be posting the revision video today.  LSA is targeting June 12th to implement these changes.

*As a reminder, the Revision Explanation Presentation/Video is posted in the “News & Announcements,” section on the LSA Beta home page. Continue reading

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 6-05-2017

  • Economic data for the week was generally flat to a bit weaker, with decent results from manufacturing surveys, continued mixed housing data, and a poorer-than-expected May employment situation report.
  • Equity markets gained both in the U.S. and overseas, as did bonds, with a decline in interest rates and falling dollar, which benefitted foreign securities.  Commodities declined along with crude oil due to high inventories and an increase in anticipated drilling activity.

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Weekly Economic Update

Economic Update 5-30-2017

  • Economic data last week was led by a weaker durable goods report, an upward revision to first quarter GDP, weakness in housing, and generally neutral results from sentiment and jobless claims.
  • Equity markets gained for the week, with U.S. stocks outperforming developed foreign markets, but underperformed emerging markets with a recovery in Brazil.  Bonds were generally flat with little change in yields in the U.S., while emerging market bonds outperformed.  Commodities lost ground following declines in oil prices.

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