While domestic and geopolitical concerns continued to make daily headlines, the major stock market indices experienced another positive quarter. The 3rd quarter extended the upward momentum, allowing equity investors to continue enjoying solid returns for 2017.
Recent Articles
Market Recap
Political stories dominated the headlines during the 2nd quarter, but investors were the beneficiaries of another set of solid gains for the major market indices although the ride was somewhat bumpy. Stocks were strengthened by good corporate earnings, the prospect of possible tax cuts, and strong economic numbers in the foreign markets. This extended gains from the 1st quarter, with the Dow’s YTD change at 8.03% closing at 21,350. The S&P YTD change through 6/30/17 was 8.24% closing at 2,423 while the NASDAQ was up 14.07% closing at 6,140 for the same time period.
Investing & Economic Commentary
Your team at Kays Financial recently reduced positions in the Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and added emerging market exposure through the Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX).
We recently added Huntsman Corporation (HUN) to portfolios at what we believe to be a bargain price at just ~7.0x next twelve months expected earnings. As a matter of background, Huntsman is a global manufacturer of chemical products.
Financial Planning
The House’s H.R. 1994: “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” (SECURE) Act has gained a lot of traction and bipartisan support. The Senate’s own version H.R. 1007: “Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act” (RESA) has also made significant progress. As such, much ink has been spilt discussing the changes.
“We become what we think about.” – Earl Nightingale
According to Mr. Nightingale, I must be taxes. As many of you who know me are aware, I became addicted to learning tax law in my senior year of college.
