BOARD CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GUIDES Lower Extremity Trauma
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Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
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But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
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Posted on August 13, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: The NASDAQ is fading and closing lower for the second straight week for the first time all year.
Semiconductor stocks dragged the index down, but investors were also a bit fidgety over an inflation report that showed producer prices grew faster than expected last month.
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
***
But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
Channel Surfing the ME-P
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Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
***
But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
Channel Surfing the ME-P
Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.
Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
***
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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
Posted on August 11, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
GlobalLaunch
By Staff Reporters
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Recently, PayPal debuted its stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), the first issued by a global financial platform. Stablecoin is a cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset, in this case, the US dollar, which is meant to make it less volatile and safer than other digital tokens. Stablecoins have been around for decades but haven’t taken off in the consumer payment space—mainly because regulators aren’t convinced of the stability promise.
But, PayPal asserts that PYUSD will “reduce friction for in-experience payments in virtual environments” and allow faster and cheaper transfers between countries.
PYUSD works for peer-to-peer payments, both for checking out online and transferring value among digital wallets.
The currency is redeemable for dollars and is convertible to or from other digital currencies that PayPal supports.
And soon, you’ll be able to send your tokens between PayPal and Venmo, making it even more convenient to send money any where and any time..
Posted on August 11, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Several US financial firms, including multiple Wells Fargo companies, will pay a combined $549 million in fines after admitting they couldn’t produce discussions about company business from smartphone messaging apps used by their employees, “including those at senior levels.” Both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) fined banks for being unable to produce discussions going back to at least 2019. The regulators say employees used their personal devices to discuss official company business via apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Signal and that those “off-channel communications” weren’t “maintained or preserved.”
Not keeping records of those conversations violates the 1934 Securities Exchange Act’s record keeping rules, as well as similar rules from the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, according to the SEC. The CFTC maintains its own record keeping requirements, which it says were violated.
The S&P 500 was up 1.12 points at 4,468.83; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 52.79 points (0.2%) at 35,176.15; the NASDAQ Composite was up 15.97 points (0.1%) at 13,737.99.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 10 basis points at 4.109%.
CBOEs Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.07 at 15.89.
Communication services and transportation shares were among the strongest performers Thursday. Energy stocks slipped as crude oil futures tumbled more than 1.5%. Small-caps were also under pressure, with the Russell 2000 (RUT) falling slightly.
Posted on August 10, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug Company has been on a partnering spree lately, and its latest collaborator is Scripta Insights, a digital health company that helps health plans and members find prescription savings.
Scripta plans to incorporate Cost Plus Drugs’s discounted pricing into its Med Mapper, which “maps every drug on the market to every possible way to save,” according to Scripta.
Palantir stock fell 11% to $15.25 yesterday, its biggest drop since November 2022. With that decline, shares are now below their 50-day moving average, at $16.16, for the first time May. It’s broken its uptrend line, which sat around $17, and its first level of support, near $16. Worse still, the stock has fallen for six straight days and is 22% during its losing streak, the worst six-day stretch since May 2022.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 31.67 points (0.7%) at 4,467.71; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 191.13 points (0.5%) at 35,123.36; the NASDAQ Composite was down 162.31 points (1.2%) at 13,722.02.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 2 basis points at 4.004%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was little changed at 15.99.
Financial shares joined tech stocks in the laggard column Wednesday. The KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) was down about 1%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) dropped about 1.4%. Energy stocks continued to outperform as crude oil futures gained nearly 2% and touched a nine-month high near $85 a barrel.
Oil’s recent rally reflects production cuts by top global producers and concern over supply disruptions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Posted on August 9, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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(UPI) — A drain on deposits, along with the decline in asset value in a high-interest rate environment, led to a downgrade in ratings for a handful of U.S. banks, Moody’s said. Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the credit rating for smaller lenders such as Pinnacle Financial and put major banks such as Northern Trust under review.
In a report published late Monday, Moody’s said banks may be facing a liquidity and capital crisis “as the wind-down of unconventional monetary policy drains system-wide deposits and higher interest rates depress the value of fixed-rate assets.” Second quarter results for many banks, meanwhile, revealed a struggle to generate profit at a time when Moody’s expects a “mild” recession to emerge in the U.S. economy by early 2024. The investment service added that there was a particular risk coming from the commercial real estate portfolios for some of the banks under review.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 19.06 points (0.4%) at 4,499.38; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 158.64 points (0.5%) at 35,314.49; the NASDAQ Composite was down 110.07 points (0.8%) at 13,884.32.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 5 basis points at 4.028%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.27 at 16.04.
Financial and technology shares were among the weakest sectors Tuesday, with the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) dropping about 1.5%. Energy stocks were strong as crude oil futures climbed more than 1%.
Volatility based on the VIX spiked to its highest level since late May before receding late in the session. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened on expectations domestic interest rates will remain higher than those in other countries.
Posted on August 8, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Zachary Kirkhorn resigned last week as Tesla’s chief financial officer after 13 years with the electric car giant, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC filing show Kirkhorn, who also held the playful title of “Master of Coin,” stepped down on August 4th as Tesla’s CFO. Kirkhorn has served in different finance positions since 2010 and was appointed to CFO in 2019, according to Tesla’s website.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 40.41 points (0.9%) at 4,518.44; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 407.51 points (1.2%) at 35,473.13; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 85.16 points (0.6%) at 13,994.40.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 3 basis points at 4.093%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.29 at 15.81.
Financials and Communication Services were among the best-performing S&P market sectors, while energy shares pulled back as crude oil futures fell nearly 1%. Small-cap stocks were also lower, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) easing slightly.
Markets: Here’s hoping this week will be better than the last one for the stock market, when the S&P 500 and NASDAQ logged their worst week since March. But, yields on the 10-year Treasury note have jumped to nearly their highest level in 10+ years. This indicates that investors are betting that elevated interest rates will stick around for a while (bad for anyone looking to buy a house, but a good sign for healthy economic growth).
Inflation data: The monthly consumer price index report—a broad measure of inflation—has been retreating dramatically this year. Thursday’s reading is expected to show prices continued their cool down in July.
Berkshire Hathaway had a solid Q2. Its operating earnings jumped 6.6% thanks to a better performance from Geico, an insurer it owns. Berkshire’s cash pile has ballooned to $147 billion.
Posted on August 6, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Stocks embraced the idea that what goes up must come down last week as all three major indexes ticked up in the morning only to fall in the afternoon and finish the week in the red. The back-and-forth reflected a mixed jobs report, which showed jobs being added more slowly but unemployment staying low and wages staying high.
Stock spotlight: Amazon had its best day this year after the market digested its blockbuster quarterly results. The company added over $100 billion to its value, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
Posted on August 5, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Hiring roughly held steady in July as employers added 187,000 jobs despite high interest rates and inflation. The unemployment rate, which is calculated from a separate survey of households, dipped from 3.6% to 3.5%, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had estimated that 200,000 jobs were added last month.
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The geopolitics: Major oil producer Saudi Arabia said yesterday it would extend its output cuts into September and could even deepen those cuts after that, according to state media. By curbing supply, Saudi Arabia hopes to prop up the price of oil—which gives it critical revenue to spend on futuristic cities. But the cuts are angering the White House because they could lead to an uptick in US inflation.
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Apple’s sales are slumping. The iPhone-maker reported its third straight quarter of revenue declines as fewer people join the blue-text mafia. But while Apple is struggling to sell iPhones, it’s doing a great job monetizing its existing customers. The services unit—home to the App Store, Apple TV+, Apple Music, and more—hit a record $21 billion in sales. Amazon was the other Big Tech company to report earnings yesterday: Its glowing financials knocked Wall Street’s socks off.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended for the day and week:
The S&P 500 Index ended 24 points lower (0.53%) at 4,478.03 and was down 2.27% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 150 points lower (0.43%) at 35,065.62 and was down 1.11% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite ended 50 points lower (0.36%) at 13,909.24 and was down nearly 3% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) pulled back 12 points to 4.055%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) rose 1 point to 17.33.
Posted on August 4, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Internal Revenue Service is allowing people who inherited an individual retirement account after 2019 to skip a required minimum distribution [RMD] this year, but most still must empty the account within 10 years. The IRS issued the new guidance last week.
There has been confusion surrounding the rules for inherited IRAs ever since the Secure Act of 2019 eliminated the so-called “stretch IRA” for most non-spouse beneficiaries. The old rules had allowed beneficiaries of inherited IRAs to stretch their required minimum distributions over their own lifetimes, permitting decades of tax-free or tax-deferred growth in some cases.
Under the Secure Act of 2019, most non-spouse beneficiaries must now empty their inherited IRA by the end of the 10th year following the original owner’s death. When the law was first passed, experts interpreted it to mean that all the money could be withdrawn in year 10 if so desired, said Ed Slott, CPA and founder of IRAHelp.com
Yet in early 2022, the IRS proposed stricter rules that would apply to someone who inherited an IRA from a person who had already begun taking RMDs; in that case, the recipient must continue taking distributions on an annual schedule. In other words, if the RMD tap had already been turned on, Slott said, it couldn’t be turned off following the original owner’s death, and beneficiaries had to keep withdrawing every year and paying income tax on the amount withdrawn.
Posted on August 4, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Stocks held steady despite a jump in bond yields (which typically sends equities lower). Gas station, oil prices continued their upward march.
Economy: Jobs Report at 8:30am ET today, as the government will drop the employment situation for July. It is expected to show a softening—but still healthy—labor market. Economists will be especially dialed in to wage growth for insights on the future trajectory of inflation. Workers getting big raises could put upward pressure on prices.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday:
The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was down 11.50 points (0.3%) at 4,501.89; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 66.63 points (0.2%) at 35,215.89; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was down 13.73 points (0.1%) at 13,959.72.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 11 basis points at 4.185%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.11 at 15.98.
Energy was among the strongest sectors Thursday as crude oil futures surged nearly 3%. Consumer Discretionary shares and regional bank stocks recovered some of their losses from the day before.
Utilities were among the weakest sectors, with the Philadelphia Utility Index (UTY) dropping near a four-week low.
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
***
But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
Channel Surfing the ME-P
Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.
Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
***
***
Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
MCLEAN, Virginia (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday voiced more objections to Fitch Ratings’ downgrade of the main U.S. credit rating, calling it “entirely unwarranted” because it ignored improvements in governance metrics during the Biden administration and the country’s economic strength.
The S&P 500 Index was down 63.34 points (1.4%) at 4,513.39; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell 348.16 points (1.0%) to 35,282.52; the NASDAQ Composite dropped 310.47 points (2.2%) at 13,973.45.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose about 3 basis points to 4.073%.
CBOE’ss Volatility Index (VIX) was up 2.2 at 16.13.
Consumer discretionary and energy shares were also weaker, with the latter pressured by a more-than 2% drop in crude oil futures.
The U.S. dollar index (DXY) strengthened for a fifth straight day and touched a four-week high, as investors shed riskier assets in favor of what are considered safe havens. Volatility based on the VIX hit its highest level since late May.
Posted on August 2, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
WARNING!
By Staff Reporters
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Fitch, the credit assessor knocked the US’ credit rating from the gold-standard AAA to AA+, citing the country’s growing debt burden and the “erosion of governance” (a reference to political standoffs over the debt ceiling).
The last time the US received a credit downgrade was in 2011, when S&P sent it to AA+, causing market mayhem. Past and present US economic officials said Fitch was off its rocker for the decision. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers called it “bizarre and inept” given the current strength of the US economy.
Posted on August 2, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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CVS Health is eliminating about 5,000 jobs in an effort to reduce costs as it turns its focus to healthcare services, the company said Tuesday. The cuts represent less than 2% of the company’s total workforce, which comprised of roughly 300,000 employees at the end of 2022. The layoffs will affect “non-customer facing positions,” the company said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.
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AT&T Inc.’s human resources chief, Angela Santone, will leave the company at the end of September, just as the telecommunications giant is eliminating thousands of jobs as part of a newly expanded $8 billion cost-reduction program. Chief Executive Officer John Stankey informed employees last week in an email that Santone was leaving. She is one of only three female top executives at AT&T.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 12.23 points (0.3%) at 4,576.73; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 71.15 points (0.2%) at 35,630.68; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was down 62.11 points (0.4%) at 14,283.91.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 8 basis points at 4.037%.
Cboe’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.29 at 13.92.
Financials were among the weakest sectors Tuesday, with the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) falling more than 1%.
Energy shares were also under pressure as crude oil futures pulled back from a recent rally.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened for a fourth consecutive day, rising to its highest level in about three weeks.
The 4% Rule is a practical rule of thumb that may be used by retirees to decide how much they should withdraw from their retirement funds each year; according to Investopedia.
The purpose of adopting the rule is to keep a steady income stream while maintaining an adequate overall account balance for future years. The withdrawals will consist primarily of interest and dividends on savings.
CHALLENGE: But, experts like Mike Kitces are divided on whether the 4% withdrawal rate is the best option. Many, including the creator of the rule, say that 5% is a better rule for all but the worst-case scenario.
Posted on August 1, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
What is the Dow Theory?
By Staff Reporters
Pioneered by Charles H. Dow, one of the founders of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones & Co., and the publisher of MarketWatch, the theory states that if two stock-market averages, most commonly the Dow industrials and transport gauges, reach notable new highs within the same short period, then the broader market is likely headed higher.
It also was one of the first theories that sought to codify a methodology for prognosticating where the market might be headed in the intermediate future. For more than a century, it’s been a staple in the repertoire of technical strategists, who aim to glean insights through analysis of stock-market charts and indicators.
Dow Theory has lost some of its luster in modern times, especially as the Dow has taken a backseat in recent years to the S&P 500 and high flying tech-heavy indexes like the NASDAQ Composite and NASDAQ-100 critics also have lambasted it as overly simplistic.
But proponents of the technical Dow Theory can still point to a wealth of historical data showing it generally works as a buy signal, especially if its broadened to include other indexes like the now-dominant S&P 500.
Posted on July 30, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the US just rose to an eight-month high of $3.71, as per AAA. While that’s far below last summer’s peak of $5.02 per gallon, gas prices have been creeping up due to refineries going offline unexpectedly and higher demand for oil at a time when supply isn’t there to meet it.
Bloomberg Opinion’s oil guru, Javier Blas, notes that global oil consumption has likely reached a record high.
Posted on July 30, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Fed’s favorite inflation measure fell. The personal consumption expenditures price index, a key data point for Jerome Powell and the FOMC, grew by only 3% last month compared to the previous June—its lowest annual rise since 2021.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the employment cost index, another favored gauge that tracks wages and benefits, also rose at its slowest rate in two years. Powell said earlier this week that central bankers will be watching the data to decide whether to raise rates again in September, and these are signs that things are moving in the direction the Federal Reserve wants.
Posted on July 29, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Stocks entered the weekend on a high note yesterday, with rising tech stocks and falling inflation leading the way.
Stock spotlight: Tupperware kept climbing yesterday, after gaining more than 300% over the past month. Perhaps it has become the latest meme stock even though it warned in April that it was on the verge of bankruptcy.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended for the day and week:
The S&P 500 Index was up 45 points (1%) at 4,582.23 and gained about 0.9% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 177 points (0.5%) at 35,459.29 and added 0.7% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was up 267 points (1.9%) at 14,316.66 and gained nearly 1.5% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell about 5 points to 3.960%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) dropped 1.1 points to 13.29.
Posted on July 28, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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US gross domestic product (GDP) increased at a more-than-expected 2.4% annualized rate last quarter thanks to healthy consumer spending and businesses shelling out on investments. The latest figures show that not only is the US economy not spiraling into a recession due to interest rate hikes, it’s actually getting stronger as the year goes on.
In fact, underlying inflation rose at its slowest pace in two years. This could be a sign of the “soft landing” that FOMC Chair Jerome Powell seeks.
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The European Central Bank also took it a cue from the FOMC and raised interest rates to a 23-year high. Investors think it could be the ECB’s last rate hike this cycle.
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But, according to CNN, Japan’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged today despite rising inflation but hinted that it could gradually abandon years of cheap money, sending the yen soaring and stocks tumbling. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) said it kept unchanged its short-term interest rate at minus 0.1% and maintained its target for the yield on 10-year government bond at around 0%.
But the central bank also said it would adopt a more flexible approach to controlling the yield on government bonds — which affects borrowing costs across the world’s third biggest economy,diluting a key pillar of its longstanding ultra-loose monetary policy.
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After a historic 13-day winning streak, the Dow—along with the other two major indexes—closed lower as its dizzying rise finally succumbed to gravity. There were some strong individual performances, however. Meta kept its impressive 2023 rolling after giving an optimistic earnings report.
Posted on July 28, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Dow slipped on Thursday, snapping a 13-day winning streak. The blue-chip index fell 237 points after being on track to close higher for a 14th consecutive session. That would have marked the Dow’s longest run of consecutive gains since May 1897. If the Dow had closed higher Thursday and Friday, it would have notched 15 days of gains, its longest daily winning streak ever.
But the index’s run was at historic levels before it was cut short Thursday: On Wednesday it notched its 13th straight day of gains, its best winning streak since 1987 and its highest level since February 2022. The Dow, up roughly 6% for the year, has rallied in recent weeks as cooler-than-expected inflation data has investors more optimistic that a soft landing, or no recession, could be in the cards for the economy.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended for the day:
The S&P 500 Index was down 29 points (0.64%) at 4,537.41; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 237 points (0.67%) at 35,282.72; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was down 77 points (0.55%) at 14,050.11.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose about 14 points 4.002%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) dropped 5 points to at 13.32.
Posted on July 27, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Whether we’ll see another interest rate increase soon depends on what happens between now and the Fed’s next meeting in September. Jerome Powell will be watching to see if consumer prices come down more than they already have, thanks to previous rate hikes.
There are some promising signs that the worst is behind us:
Tomorrow, when the government releases the latest personal consumption expenditures price index—the Fed’s preferred measure for tracking inflation—it’s expected to show the lowest inflation increase since the end of 2021. And last month, the consumer price index showed inflation fell to 3%, which is above the Fed’s 2% target but an improvement from last June’s 9.1%.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola—whose prices were 10% higher last quarter compared to Q2 2022—said it’s done marking up drinks for the year, and the CFO of Unilever said the packaged goods giant’s price inflation has peaked (though prices may still get higher).
But the FOMC wants more: Chairman Powell said that for inflation to be truly conquered, the job market, which currently boasts a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, will need to slow.
Posted on July 27, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate another 0.25% on Wednesday, reviving its inflation fight despite a significant cooldown of price increases in recent months. The rate hike brought the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to a 22-year high of between 5.25% and 5.5%. Inflation has fallen significantly from a peak last summer, but remains at a level one percentage point higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%.
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The Dow on Wednesday rose for a 13th straight day, matching its longest winning streak since 1987. If it closes higher today, it would be a streak not seen since 1897 — about a year after the benchmark was created — when the Dow advanced for 14 sessions in a row. During this latest run, the Dow has outperformed, gaining 5%. That momentum hasn’t been seen in the broader S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite indexes, however. Both are up just 3% since the Dow’s streak began. The S&P 500 has fallen twice in that time, while the NASDAQ has posted three losing sessions
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended for the day:
The S&P 500 Index was down 0.02% at 4,566.75; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up about 82 points (0.23%) at 35,520.12; the NASDAQ Composite was down 17 points (0.12%) at 14,127.28.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) edged down to 3.867%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) dropped 5 points to at 13.32.
Posted on July 27, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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President Joe Biden’s administration just announced new rules meant to push insurance companies to increase their coverage of mental health treatments.
The new regulations, which still need to go through a public comment period, would require insurers to study whether their customers have equal access to medical and mental health benefits and to take remedial action, if necessary.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that insurers provide the same level of coverage for both mental and physical health care — though the administration and advocates argue insurers’ policies restrict patient access.
Markets: The Dow is on a run for the ages, extending its winning streak to 12 days. But, Spotify revealing widening losses due to its failed podcasting investments and projected lower revenues. And its stock plunge came despite adding a record number of new subscribers.
Economy: All eyes are on the FOMC today: With another rate hike pretty much a lock, investors will seek Jerome Powell’s comments to see whether the Fed is considering any more increases.
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Alphabet, which declared a “code red” for Google Search late last year as rivals like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s AI-equipped Bing came on the scene, is chugging right along. Google’s search advertising sales grew to a better-than-expected $42.6 billion. And, most people haven’t made ChatGPT their default search engine.
Microsoft beat expectations on its top- and bottom lines and told investors that it had spent, and would continue spending, gobs of money to build out AI infrastructure.
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Snap. The social media platform just rolled out an AI chatbot, My AI, and boasted that 150+ million users have sent over 10 billion messages to it. But, still fighting against the likes of TikTok for ad spending in a sluggish market, Snap’s sales dropped for the second straight quarter, causing shares to plummet 19% after-hours.
Conference calls: Meta reports earnings today, and Amazon and Apple report next week.
Posted on July 26, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat will become president and chief investment officer of parent company Alphabet, ending an eight-year run during which she helped pitch the company to Wall Street.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday:
The S&P 500 Index was up about 13 points (0.28%) at 4,567.46; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up about 27 points (0.08%) at 35,438.07; the NASDAQ Composite was up 86 points (0.61%) at 14,144.56.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was little changed at 3.883%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.09 at 14.00.
Posted on July 25, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The IRS will not come to the front / back door
The tax agency will no longer make unannounced visits to taxpayers’ homes or businesses to collect payments due (in most cases). The IRS said it was halting the controversial practice, which has been around since at least the 1950s, to protect its agents’ safety.
Instead, the agency will send letters requesting that the taxpayer schedule an appointment. In specific cases, such as to deliver a summons or subpoena or seize assets, an unannounced visit may still occur, but there are only a few hundred of those each year compared to tens of thousands of the more routine visits, according to Reuters.
Posted on July 25, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By StaffReporters
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Recession: Last October, economists surveyed by Bloomberg were predicting a 100% chance of a Recession. But currently, the Dow is riding a 10-day winning streak, and the S&P 500 is just over 5% away from its all-time high. This week, Wall Street will be glued to the Fed’s interest rate announcement and a heavy slate of earnings.
Final Fed rate hike? The Federal Reserve will likely announce another interest rate increase this week, but this could be the final hike in its 16-month quest to bring down inflation. If the Fed hikes 25 basis points as expected, interest rates would be at their highest level since 2001.
Earnings galore: Corporate America’s A-list will report Q2 earnings this week, including Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Exxon Mobil. In all, about one-third of companies in the S&P 500 will give financial updates over the next five days, so we should get a good look into the health of a bunch of different industries.
Posted on July 25, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The good news continued for the Dow, which notched its 11th straight day of gains yesterday—its best streak since February 2017. But there is much coming that could impact the markets this week, from Big Tech earnings (Microsoft and Alphabet report today) to a likely rate hike from the Fed tomorrow.
Stocks spotlight: Mattel, IMAX, and AMC (boosted from a recent ruling blocking a planned stock conversion) were all up.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday:
The S&P 500 Index was up 18 points (0.4%) at 4,554.64; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 184 points (0.5%) at 35,411.24; the NASDAQ Composite was up 26 points (0.2%) at 14,058.87.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 3 basis points at 3.870%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.29 at 13.89.
Energy was the strongest sector as crude oil futures added to their recent rally with another 2.3% rise to end near $79 per barrel. Financials were also higher, while utilities and health care lagged.
Posted on July 24, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The NASDAQ 100 is Getting Re-Balanced
Before the market opening today, NASDAQ shuffled the weighting of its NASDAQ 100 Index so that the biggest tech companies have less sway.
The issue is that the market caps of tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia have gotten so big recently that when we refer to “the NASDAQ,” we’re actually just talking about a few companies that hold outsized influence (even after the changes, Apple and Microsoft will account for 22% of the index’s weighting).
The re-balancing isn’t expected to have a meaningful impact on stock prices.
Posted on July 22, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Regulators fined Deutsche Bank $186 million for not fixing anti-money laundering, due diligence, and sanctions controls. This is the third time since 2015 that the Federal Reserve has fined the troubled bank for internal control failures. (CNN Business)
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Under the YouTube Health Initiative, the company partnered with several healthcare organizations, including traditional health systems like Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Mass General Brigham in Boston, as well as online health education platforms like Osmosis and Psych Hub. Other partners include the medical journal the New England Journal of Medicine, the World Health Organization, and the American Public Health Association.
These health organizations created videos on a range of health topics, which YouTube curates in what it calls “carousels” and labels to indicate that the information comes from reputable sources. If someone searches for information on diabetes, for example, they’ll get a carousel of videos from the health partners on diabetes.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday and for the week:
The S&P 500 Index was up 1.47 points at 4,536.34, up 0.7% for the week and the benchmark’s eighth weekly gain in the past 10; the Dow Jones industrial average was up 2.51 points at 35,227.69, up 2.1% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was down 30.50 points (0.2%) at 14,032.81, down 0.6% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 2 basis points at 3.837%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.39 at 13.60.
Utility and health care shares were among the strongest performers Friday, which may reflect investors rotating into more “defensive” sectors, which haven’t participated as much in this year’s rally and may be seen as a “relative value” or “catch-up” play.
Energy stocks were also strong as crude oil futures jumped over 2% and posted a fourth straight weekly gain. Regional banks and communication services were among the weakest sectors, while the small-cap-focused Russell 2000 (RUT) fell slightly.
Posted on July 21, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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According to Morning Brew, the US banking system is about to speed up, potentially eliminating those frustrating waiting days it can take for money to hit your account. The Fed is launching its FedNow instant payment service later this month. The new system will enable banks to send each other cash instantly, 24/7, as an alternative to the existing system that runs only during regular business hours and often takes days to move money.
FedNow could put America’s banking system on track to catch up to countries like India and Nigeria, where high-speed payments are as common. The US does already have an instant payments system, but it’s private rather than government-backed, and it hasn’t been widely adopted. It’s mostly only used by big banks, and only 1.4% of US transactions happen in real time, according to payment systems company ACI Worldwide.
FedNow enabled services will soon likely appear at the 41 banks that have been certified to participate so far.
People moving money between banks or paying bills could complete their transactions in seconds without the need to plan payments days in advance.
Businesses will be able to access customer payments immediately and to send workers payments more frequently with instant direct deposit rather than the usual payroll cycle.
BUT … Faster payments could mean faster bank runs, too!
Some experts worry that allowing people to drain their bank accounts instantaneously could make SVB-style bank runs more likely. Smaller banks struggling with liquidity would have even less time to react to customer panic and get collateral for emergency government loans to cover fleeing cash.
But there are safeguards built in. FedNow has a transaction limit of $500,000, and banks can set their own ceilings to ensure that customers don’t pull their deposits.
Posted on July 21, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The S&P 500 and NASDAQ fell on Thursday, weighed down by drops in Tesla and Netflix following their quarterly results, but the Dow advanced for a ninth straight day thanks to gains in Johnson & Johnson following a strong annual forecast.
Here is where the major market benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 30.85 points (0.7%) at 4,534.87; the Dow Jones industrial average was up 163.97 points (0.5%) at 35,225.18; the NASDAQ Composite was down 294.71 points (2.1%) at 14,063.31.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 11 basis points at 3.846%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.22 at 13.98.
Consumer Discretionary stocks, which are considered to have greater exposure to recession than other companies, were among the weakest performers Thursday. Technology stocks also struggled, with the NASDAQ posting its lowest close since July 12th and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) tumbling over 3%.
Health care and utilities, generally considered more recession-proof, were the strongest performers.
Posted on July 20, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
Elon Musk underlined the astounding scale of Microsoft and Nvidia’s combined market-value surge on Tuesday with a two-word tweet: “Crazy times.” While Musk didn’t spell out whether he views Microsoft or Nvidia as overvalued, his strong reaction could be a red flag for stock market investors.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday:
The S&P 500 Index was up 10.74 points (0.2%) at 4,565.72; the Dow Jones industrial average was up 109.28 points (0.3%) at 35,061.21; the NASDAQ Composite was up 4.38 points at 14,358.02.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 4 basis points at 3.744%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.44 at 13.74.
Posted on July 19, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Cash is king, especially in this tough interest rate environment. That’s proving true in the mergers and acquisitions market this year, according to PwC’sUS Deals 2023 midyear outlook, which says companies and private equity with cash in hand are making deals happen. There are “opportunities for corporates with strong balance sheets. Private equity sponsors with large amounts of dry powder also have been getting deals done,” according to PwC.
Deal makers need cash because lending has become tougher and more expensive to obtain. Additionally, “the IPO market has remained quiet for over a year.”
Even the private equity market, which often leans heavily on debt financing, is reaching for other ways to get deals done: “Some PE sponsors have turned to more creative financing solutions, including higher equity contribution, seller’s notes, paid in-kind financing and the private credit markets.”
The challenging market is also impacting deal size. PwC found that deal makers are eschewing big deals in favor of smaller opportunities. However, although the deals appear to be smaller, the volume of M&A activity is “relatively strong compared to” COVID pre-pandemic levels.
Posted on July 19, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
FINALLY?
By Staff Reporters
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Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard cleared for landing
A federal judge rejected the FTC’s attempt to stop Microsoft from buying the video game publisher Activision Blizzard, paving the way for the $69 billion deal to close as soon as this month.
The FTC argued that the takeover would result in less competition in the video game industry and limit access to Activision’s blockbuster games, but the judge disagreed, saying, “To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content.”
While the deal still needs UK regulators’ approval, they also signaled yesterday they would let it proceed.
Posted on July 17, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Stocks are rolling following a week that showed our inflation emergency seems to be ending, and big banks are still raking in big profits. The Fed’s so-called “soft landing” scenario—getting inflation down without tipping the economy into a recession—is a distinct possibility, as long as corporate finances don’t end up being shockingly bad this earnings season.
Global economy: While the US economy is chugging along, the same can’t be said for China. Growth in the world’s No. 2 economy hardly budged between the first and second quarters, while youth unemployment hit a record last month. Expect President Xi Jinping to make moves to juice China’s stagnating GDP.
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Curiously, Cathie Wood’s flagship exchange-traded fund has rallied more than 50% this year. Investors are using that as an opportunity to get out.
They have pulled a net $717 million from the ARK Innovation ETF over the past 12 months, according to FactSet. That exodus marks a notable shift for a fund that had consistently drawn investor cash since its 2014 inception. Once the largest actively managed ETF with nearly $30 billion in assets under management, the fund has shrunk to roughly $9 billion, mostly due to investment losses.
Known by its ticker symbol ARKK, Wood’s fund became an investor darling shortly after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic with hugely successful bets on unprofitable and “disruptive” technology companies. It took in huge amounts of investor money, culminating with a $6.5 billion inflow in the first quarter of 2021, when its share price peaked.
Then, the Federal Reserve’s fastest interest-rate hiking campaign in decades crushed the valuations of unprofitable growth companies, which often attract investors when interest rates are low and returns on safer investments such as CDs are minimal. Shares of ARKK plunged 67% in 2022, but its investors largely held on or bought the dip.
Now, analysts say they expect some of those investors are getting out for good?
Posted on July 16, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Supplemental Security Income
By Staff Reporters
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Stocks popped 2% this week, as investors expect the Fed to soon pause or dial back interest rates after the release of the June inflation report. Central bankers have raised rates from zero to over 5% since March of last year, a move that led the S&P 500 to shed 20% in 2022.
And yet, No SSI for you!
DEFINITION: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a means-tested program that provides cash payments to disabled children, disabled adults, and individuals aged 65 or older who are citizens or nationals of the USA. SSI was created by the Social Security Amendments of 1972 and is incorporated in Title 16 of the Social Security Act The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and began operations in 1974.
Individuals or their helpers may start the application for SSI benefits by completing a short form on SSA’s website. SSA staff will schedule an appointment for the individual or helper within 1–2 weeks and complete the process.
SSI was created to replace federal-state adult assistance programs that served the same purpose, but were administered by the state agencies and received criticism for lacking consistent eligibility criteria. The restructuring of these programs was intended to standardize the eligibility requirements and level of benefits. Although administered by SSA, SSI is funded from the U.S. Treasury general funds, not the SS Trust Fund. As of July 2022, the program provides benefits to approximately five million Americans.
The Social Security Administration gives, and the Social Security Administration takes away — at least when it comes to beneficiaries who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
July is one of the months when the agency doesn’t issue an SSI check. Because of a quirk in the payment schedule, SSI beneficiaries get two payments in March, June, September and December, while no payments are deposited in January, April, July and October.
Posted on July 15, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The biggest U.S. banks presented a picture of a resilient economy on Friday, with consumers and businesses continuing to spend and borrow even after a lightning-fast rise in interest rates.
JPMorgan Chase’s profit soared 67% in the second quarter from a year earlier and Wells Fargo’s jumped 57%, lifted by the income they earned lending out money at higher rates. Citigroup’s net interest income was a bright spot, though profit fell 36%. All three banks beat analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 4.62 points (0.1%) at 4,505.42, up 2.4% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 113.89 points (0.3%) at 34,509.03, up 2.3% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was down 24.87 points (0.2%) at 14,113.70, up 3.3% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 7 basis points at 3.828%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.29 at 13.32.
Energy shares were among the weakest performers Friday after crude oil futures retreated nearly 2% from 2½-month highs posted Thursday. Regional banks were also lower despite stronger-than-expected quarterly results from their larger peers.
Health care and Consumer Staples were among the strongest performers. The U.S. dollar gained slightly but remained near a 17-month low against the euro.
Posted on July 14, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
Producer Price Index
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended on Thursday
The S&P 500 Index was up 37.88 points (0.9%) at 4,510.04; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 47.71 points (0.1%) at 34,395.14; the NASDAQ Composite was up 219.61 points (1.6%) at 14,138.57.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 10 basis points at 3.763%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.04 at 13.58.
Technology shares were among the strongest performers Thursday, with the NASDAQ-100 Index (NDX) and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) both climbing roughly 2% to 18-month highs. Communication Services and regional banks were also strong.
Oilfield services stocks gained on an extended rally in crude oil futures, which pushed above $77 a barrel near a three-month high. The U.S. dollar sank to its weakest point against the euro since February 2022 on expectations U.S. interest rates may have peaked.
Posted on July 12, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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BofA must refund $100 million to customers, pay $90 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement.
“These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust.”
Combined, it is one of the highest financial penalties in years against Bank of America, which has largely spent the last 15 years trying to clean up its reputation and market itself to the public as a bank focused on financial health and not on overdraft fee income and financial trickery.
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The latest reading ion core inflation indicates a notable cool-down in June but still exceeds the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2%.
Data just released exceeded the expectations of economists surveyed by Bloomberg, who expected inflation to have fallen to 3.1% in June. Inflation rose a modest 0.2% on a monthly basis, accelerating from a 0.1% increase in May. Despite the encouraging report, core inflation — which strips out volatile food and energy prices — rose 4.8%.
Food prices, meanwhile, continued to accelerate faster than overall inflation, rising 5.7% in June compared to a year ago. and, the price of flour rose about 12% in June compared to a year ago, roughly quadruple of the overall inflation rate; while the price of bakery products rose 9.5% over that period and the price of cookies rose nearly 9%.
Posted on July 12, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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American consumers are on track to run out of cash later this year, Bill Gross has warned.
Consumer spending is a key driver of economic growth. If it drops, a recession might be the result.
“Bond King” Gross said the government’s aggressive spending during the pandemic is still buoying the economy.
American consumers are propping up the economy by spending their pandemic savings, but they’re likely to run out of cash later this year, Gross warned.
“It’s fiscal policy not just monetary policy — stupid,” the billionaire investor tweeted. His point was that government spending and tax rates, along with interest rates and money supply, affect economic growth and inflation.
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Used Auto Prices Down
Used car prices in America saw the largest monthly slump since the height of the pandemic in June.
That’s good news on inflation, which could fall below 3% in June, the analyst said.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended: yesterday
The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was up 29.73 points (0.7%) at 4,439.26; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 317.02 points (0.9%) at 34,261.42; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 75.22 points (0.6%) at 13,760.70.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 3 basis points at 3.978%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.23 at 14.84.
Energy companies led sector gainers Tuesday as crude oil futures extended a rally, with the benchmark WTI contract rising more than 2.5% and touching a 2½-month high on signs of lower Russian production.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX) jumped more than 3% to a four-month high. Retail and transportation shares were also among the strongest sectors, while the health care and semiconductor sectors slipped.
Posted on July 11, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Investors shook off last week’s post-holiday blues with all three major indexes snapping three-day losing streaks yesterday, embracing a new outlook as they wait for more economic data and a new earnings season to start this week.
CAVA rose as analysts got their first chance to comment on the lunch spot since its IPO and were largely bullish on the bowl-maker—it’s already nearly doubled since its market debut last month.
Posted on July 11, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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July marks Minority/BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
A time when healthcare leaders and policymakers acknowledge the disparities that exist in behavioral health access and outcomes, as well as examine ways to address them. Tell us how your company, hospital, or practice is working to eliminate barriers and ensure equitable access to mental health services.
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U.S. inflation cooled in May to an annual 4%, its lowest annual rate in more than two years, but core inflation rose by 0.4% month-on-month and 5.3% year-on-year.
And the markets are eagerly awaiting key inflation prints from the U.S. later this week, with the core annual consumer price index (CPI) — which excludes volatile food and energy prices — remaining persistently high to date, despite the headline figure gradually edging closer to the Federal Reserve‘s 2% target.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was up 10.58 points (0.2%) at 4,409.53; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 209.52 points (0.6%) at 33,944.40; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 24.77 points (0.2%) at 13,685.48.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 4 basis points at 4.008%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) rose 0.21 to 15.04.
Chip stocks were among the strongest sectors Monday, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX), jumping about 2%.
Retail and industrial stocks were also strong, while the small-cap focused Russell 2000 index (RUT) gained 1.5%. Utilities and Communication Services ranked among the weakest performers. Volatility perked up, with the VIX touching a five-week high.
Posted on July 10, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Miss seeing terms like “adjusted profits” and “forward guidance” in the ME-P?
They’re coming back as earnings season got underway on Friday with big banks reporting. Tech companies, in particular, will have to impress to justify their expensive share prices.