Market Commentary for the week of October 9, 2017

The Markets

After the Labor Department’s report showed the first monthly decline in nonfarm jobs in seven years, the Dow and the S&P 500 dipped into the red. However, the NASDAQ closed higher for the ninth day and squeezed into a record close. For the week, the Dow rose 1.70 percent to close at 22,773.67. The S&P gained 1.25 percent to finish at 2,549.33, and the NASDAQ climbed 1.45 percent to end the week at 6,590.18.

Source: Morningstar.com. *Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Three- and five-year returns are annualized. The Dow Jones Industrials, MSCI EAFE, Barclays US Agg Bond and S&P, excluding “1 Week” returns, are based on total return, which is a reflection of return to an investor by reinvesting dividends after the deduction of withholding tax. The NASDAQ is based on price return, which is the capital appreciation of the portfolio, excluding income generated by the assets in the portfolio in the form of interest and dividends. (TR) indicates total return. (PR) indicates price return. MSCI EAFE returns stated in U.S. dollars.

No Drops — The S&P 500 has experienced 10 drops of at least 5 percent during its bull market run that will reach 103 months in length this week (Oct. 9, 2017) but none since Feb. 11, 2016, or 19.5 months ago (source: BTN Research).

Last Quarter of the Year — Over the past 25 years (1992-2016), the S&P 500 stock index has gained an average of 4.9 percent (total return) over the final three months of the year. Twenty of the past 25 fourth quarters (80 percent) have produced a positive total return gain (source: BTN Research).

Just One Month to Go — With just September remaining in fiscal year 2017, the budget deficit to date is $674 billion. The last five Septembers have reported a budget surplus that has averaged $76 billion. The deficit from fiscal year 2016 was $587 billion (source: Treasury Department, BTN Research).

WEEKLY FOCUS – Preparing Financially for Natural Disasters

If you live in a part of the country prone to natural disaster, you’re probably prepared for an emergency. Extra water, flashlights, last year’s tax returns… Wait. Tax returns?

We hear about physical preparations for natural disaster but what about financial preparations?

When disaster hits, you might only have enough time to ensure the physical safety of your family. But once the immediate danger passes, you may need a Financial Emergency Kit for the recovery process.

What are some of the things you need to include in your Financial Emergency Kit?

• Cash and keys. Make sure there is enough ready cash for food, lodging and miscellaneous expenses. You can include an extra credit card, but cash is king during most emergencies. Pack an extra set of essential keys to cars, house and safe deposit boxes.
• Pre-storm photos or video of your home, both inside and out.
• A list of everything of value in and around your home, their approximate value and receipts, if possible.
• Copies of important documents like your homeowner’s insurance policy, mortgage agreement, deeds, health care proxies, bank statements, credit card bills and information needed to file tax returns.
• A list of telephone numbers and email addresses for family members and key medical, financial and business contacts.
• Personal identification: You may need to confirm your identity to file for disaster relief services and insurance claims or access property and financial assets.

There are four basic steps in being financially prepared for a disaster. Gather the contents for your kit, including important documents and contact information. Review insurance policies and financial papers to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date. Make sure paper and electronic copies of all files are stored in a safe, easy-to-access location. Schedule a regular meeting for updating it; pair it with your yearly financial planning review.

* 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 index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia and Far East Index (MSCI EAFE Index) is a widely recognized benchmark of non-U.S. stock markets. It is an unmanaged index composed of a sample of companies representative of the market structure of 20 European and Pacific Basin countries and includes reinvestment of all dividends. Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. investment-grade, fixed-rate bond market securities, including government, government agency, corporate and mortgage-backed securities between one and 10 years. Written by Securities America, Copyright October 2017. All rights reserved. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. SAI# 1917359.1