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
As you may have seen in your trade confirmations, we added a small position in Citigroup (C) this morning. Our bullish view on the stock is based on a number of factors including 1) an attractive valuation, 2) expected revenue growth with disciplined cost control, and 3) a significant return of capital to shareholders (i.e., through both share repurchases and dividends).
As you have likely seen in your trade confirmations, we are reducing our over-weight exposure to mid-cap ETFs and raising our exposure to small cap ETFs.
Financial Planning
Each year I write about Georgia’s QEE Credit program that allows state citizens to donate to a qualified school in return for a credit against state income taxes. (See this year’s article here).
No, this isn’t some newfangled common core math test! My daughter is 7 years old and, despite her parents’ mathematical abilities, she struggles with math. Addition makes sense, but subtraction is a challenge. 2+2 is most definitely 4 but 4-2 isn’t as clear cut. It reminds me of the accounting joke, “what’s 2+2?” “Whatever you want it to be.” So, at this point you may be wondering why 10 – 2 = 0.28.
