Markets Start 2021 on a High

The Week on Wall Street

Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased by 1.83%. The Nasdaq Composite index, which led throughout 2020, picked up 2.43%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.45%.[1][2][3]

Fireworks to Start the New Year

Stocks got off to an inauspicious start amid the stuttering pace of vaccine distribution and concern that the economic recovery might take longer than anticipated. Uncertainty over the looming Senate runoff election in Georgia added to the broad retreat that marked the first day of 2021 trading.

From there markets turned higher, aided by firming oil prices with subsequent support provided by the Georgia Senate election results, which lifted hopes of additional fiscal stimulus. Stocks managed through political unrest mid-week, with banks, economically sensitive stocks, and technology shares leading the way.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose above 1% for the first time since March as investors fled bonds in anticipation of new federal borrowing.[4]

Stocks touched all-time highs on the final trading day, capping a strong week of performance.[5]

Employment Picture

The U.S. economy lost 140,000 jobs in December, confirming fears of economic slowdown brought on by a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

Not surprisingly, it was restaurants and bars that saw the greatest job losses, with the larger hospitality sector accounting for nearly all the job losses last month. Meanwhile, November job creation was revised upward, from 245,000 to 336,000.[6]

To help put the pandemic in perspective, December’s job report capped the worst year for job losses since the tracking began in 1939. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7%.[7]

THIS WEEK: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

• Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
• Wednesday:  Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• Thursday: Initial Jobless Claims.
• Friday: Retail Sales, Consumer Sentiment, Industrial Production.

THIS WEEK: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

• Tuesday: KB Home (KBH)
• Thursday: Blackrock (BLK)
• Friday: JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), PNC Financial (PNC)

“Fun is a good thing, but only when it spoils nothing better.”

– George Santayana

Recipe of the Week

FETTUCCINE WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE, KALE, AND CANNELLINI BEANS

4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound De Cecco Fettuccine pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil plus extra for drizzling
• 1 pound chicken sausage
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
• 1 cup yellow onion thinly sliced (about 1/2 medium onion)
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 3 cups kale chopped
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper freshly ground
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup parmesan grated, plus more for serving

Directions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage to the skillet, and cook for about 7 minutes, or until it is brown on all sides. Set aside on a cutting board to rest.
3. Add the butter to the skillet and lower the heat. Add the onions and sauté for 3-5 minutes, then add garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds more. Stir in the kale and season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. While the kale wilts, slice the sausages into 1-inch pieces and add to the skillet, along with the cannellini beans.
5. Add the pasta to the skillet, along with about ½ cup of the chicken broth and the grated Parmesan. If the pasta needs a little more sauce, add a little more chicken broth.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately with grated Parmesan on the side.

Recipe adapted from KitchenConfidante[8]

Tax Tips

Tax Tips for Those in the Military

The Internal Revenue Service has certain special tax breaks and programs for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are just a few.

Earned Income Tax Credit

If you get nontaxable combat pay, you may choose to include it in your taxable income. Including it may boost your earned income tax credit, meaning you may owe less tax and could get a larger refund. In 2015, the maximum credit for taxpayers was $6,242. The average amount of EITC claimed was more than $2,400. You may want to consider running both calculations to see what choice best benefits you.

Signing Joint Returns

As a rule, both spouses normally must sign a joint income tax return. If your spouse is absent due to military duty, you may be able to sign for your spouse. Keep in mind, however, that you may need a power of attorney to file a joint return.

Job Search

If you leave the military and look for work, you may be able to deduct some job search expenses. You may be able to include the costs of travel, preparing a resume and job placement agency fees.

* 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.

Tip adapted from IRS[9]

Golf Tip

What Does a Chip Have in Common With a Putt?

Healthy Lifestyle

Stay Healthy During Flu Season

• Get the flu vaccination: The Centers for Disease Control estimates that last year, fewer than half of all Americans got the flu vaccine. While getting the vaccine may not prevent you from getting a strain of the flu, it may help you avoid one of the other strains. This is especially important for anyone with a chronic health condition, and for those who are 65 years of age and older.
• Wash your hands: Handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the flu. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and wash your hands often.
• Disinfect: Disinfect objects that you touch every day, like doorknobs, your car’s steering wheel, and other household items that you use regularly.

Green Living

Clean Out Electronic Clutter