Intensifying hostilities in Ukraine continued to unsettle markets, as investors grappled with the war’s impact on the global economies.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.88%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 3.53% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 0.90%.1,2,3
Markets Remain Stressed
Markets gyrated last week as Russia escalated its attacks on Ukraine, the U.S. banned imports of Russian oil, and more companies announced the suspension of business in Russia. Eastern Europe has added complexity to the Fed’s plans for raising interest rates to manage accelerating inflation, which has been exacerbated by a sharp rise in energy and other commodity prices.
The stock market saw brief moments of respite. Stocks rallied Tuesday on a news report that Ukraine would promise not to pursue NATO membership, but lost momentum before the close. Stocks rallied on Wednesday as oil prices tumbled, but were unable to follow-through on Thursday and then faded further into Friday’s close.
A Four-Decade High
Consumer prices rose 0.8% in February as energy and commodity prices pushed higher. This latest monthly report showed a year-over-year inflation rate of 7.9%, the highest level since January 1982. Excluding the more volatile food and energy prices, the 12-month increase was 6.4%, a slight bump from last month’s 6.0% year-over-year increase.4
Many economists hoped that inflation pressures would ease, but February’s inflation number suggested that the impact of sanctions and supply-chain disruptions due to the invasion of Ukraine may likely feed further price increases for the foreseeable future.
This Week: Key Economic Data
Tuesday: Producer Price Index.
Wednesday: Retail Sales. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Announcement.
Thursday: Housing Starts. Jobless Claims. Industrial Production.
Friday: Existing Home Sales. Index of Leading Economic Indicators.
Source: Econoday, March 11, 2022
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Coupa Software, Inc. (COUP).
Thursday: FedEx Corporation (FDX), Dollar General Corporation (DG).
Source: Zacks, March 11, 2022
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
Have questions about the market? Set a time to chat with Kevin.
WEALTH WATCH: GEOPOLITICAL STRAIN – WILL IT GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER?
The HCM-BuyLine® is still negative and has gotten even more negative, which could result in an additional reduction in equites. We are currently about 30% cash/ T-bills. We have been getting a lot of questions about the cash balances within our models. As a reminder, the cash balance observed when looking...[READ MORE] 5
Vance Howard on CNBC The Exchange
This communication is issued by Howard Capital Management, Inc. It is for informational purposes and is not an official confirmation of terms. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, nor is it a complete statement of the financial products or markets referred to. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
How Do You Repay Deferred Taxes?
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, some self-employed individuals were able to defer paying certain Social Security taxes in 2020 over the next two years. But, how do you repay these deferred taxes?
- Make payments directly through the IRS site by debit card, credit card, money order, or with a check
- Ensure that these payments are separate from other tax payments
- Ensure that the designee of the payment is “deferred Social Security tax”
You can select the reason for the payment when you view your balance due using Direct Pay. If you are using a card, you can select “installment agreement.”6
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
How to Test Your Vision at Home
You don’t have to go to the eye doctor to check your vision. In fact, you can do it right from home! Simply download a vision chart, like the one found on Vision Source’s website, and print it on a regular piece of paper. Hang it on the wall and measure 10 feet from the wall. Mark this spot because this is going to be your standing distance.
Then, cover one eye at a time to see how many letters you can read as they get smaller. Have someone keep track of your score and write down the smallest line where you were able to identify the majority of the letters. Each row is labeled with the vision it corresponds with (20/20, 20/30, etc.).7
BEEF CABBAGE STIR FRY
Servings: 4-6
Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
STIR FRY SAUCE
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons Chinese cooking wine, (or Mirin, dry sherry, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, sake, rice wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar, or sweetener for low carb -- (OPTIONAL)
STIR FRY
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 pound lean ground beef (mince), (500g)
- 1 head cabbage, core removed and leaves shredded (8 cups shredded cabbage)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded (1/2 cup shredded)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine stir fry ingredients in a bowl. Set sauce aside.
- Heat cooking oil a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Cook the garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the beef, breaking it up with the end of a wooden spoon as it cooks, until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Once beef is browned, add half of the sauce to the beef, stir frying to evenly coat.
- Add the cabbage and carrots; continue cooking while stirring until the cabbage is wilted. Taste test and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Stir through the remaining sauce. Serve warm.
Stay safe!
Footnotes and Sources
1. The Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2022
2. The Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2022
3. The Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2022
4. The Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2022
5. howardcm.com, March 8, 2022
6. IRS.gov, July 6, 2021
7. VisionSource.com, September 30, 2021
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
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