Does Your Portfolio Need Better Yields In 2017?
Check out our returns in 2016:
Markets: Indexes hit new record highs in this 1st trading week of 2017, aided by a strong Dec. US Auto Sales report. U.S. sales of new cars and trucks hit a record high in 2016, 0.4 percent higher than the previous record set in 2015. It was the 6th straight year of increasing sales, with Ford’s F-series trucks as the best-selling model line in the US, for the 40th year in a row.
Dividend Stocks Update: These high dividend stocks go ex-dividend this coming week: (NYSE:WDR), (NASDAQ:HCAP), (NYSE:CIO), (NASDAQ:FSC), (NASDAQ:FSFR), (NYSE:MN).
Volatility: The VIX fell 19% this week, finishing at $11.32.
Currency: The dollar pulled back vs. most major currencies, particularly the Canadian loonie, but gained vs. the pound:
Market Breadth: 17 of the Dow 30 stocks rose this week, vs. 3 last week. and 70% of the S&P 500 rose, vs. 21% last week.
US Economic News: Unemployment inched up to 4.7%. Non-Farm Payrolls fell to 156K in Dec., but Nov. payrolls were revised upward, to 204K. Hourly Earnings rose again, by.4%. Dec. US Auto and Truck Sales rose 3%.
Next Week’s US Economic Reports:
Sectors & Futures:
Telecoms continued to be strong, reflecting investors’ search for yield.Healthcare surprised, gaining nearly 3%, while Energy and Utilities lagged:
Palladium continued its winning ways, NatGas trailed:
