WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE
January 17, 2023
Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.
 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.00%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 2.67%. The Nasdaq Composite index surged 4.82% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, jumped 3.32%.1,2,3
Improving Sentiment
Investor sentiment came into the new year weighed down by recession fears and concerns that Fed rate hikes may “go higher for longer.” Last week a different narrative emerged. Sustained declines in inflation, a rate hike cycle nearing an end, and a resilient economy that may avoid recession resulted in a broad-based rally.
 
Moderating inflation was evident in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Thursday, which, in combination with a strong labor report the previous Friday, gave investors confidence that the environment for stocks had improved. Stocks extended their gains to end the week as a few money center banks kicked off a new earnings season with upbeat reports.
 
Inflation’s Cooling Trend
December’s CPI report showed a 0.1% decline in prices from November and a 6.5% increase from a year ago. It was the sixth-consecutive month of decelerating year-over-year increases. Core prices (excludes food and energy) slowed to 5.7%, a decline from the previous month’s 6.0% year-over-year rise. For the last three months, core prices have risen at an annualized rate of 3.1%–the slowest pace in over a year.4
 
Falling gasoline prices (-9.4%) accounted for most of the monthly decline in the CPI. Used car prices (-2.5%) were another bright spot.5
 
This Week: Key Economic Data
Wednesday: Producer Price Index (PPI). Retail Sales. Industrial Production.
Thursday: Housing Starts. Jobless Claims.
Friday: Existing Home Sales.
Source: Econoday, January 13, 2023 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
Tuesday:  The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), Morgan Stanley (MS), The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW).
Wednesday: United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL), The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC), Prologis, Inc. (PLD).
Thursday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). 
Friday: Schlumberger Limited (SLB), PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG).
Source: Zacks, January 13, 2023 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.

Food For Thought
"I didn’t know that I was different
and now I realize how very different I was.
But difference is what makes the world beautiful."
– Venus Williams

Tax Tips
Tax Benefits For Charitable Giving
Giving back to others feels good and is a great way to support your community and those in need, but it also has tax advantages. According to the IRS, most charitable contributions are deductible as an itemized deduction when you file your taxes, including cash and property contributions.
 
Some contributions aren’t tax-deductible, so check the current tax law or talk to your account before deducting charitable gifts from your tax return. You can even use the Interactive Tax Assistant on the IRS website to see if your charitable contribution is deductible.
 
* 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.gov6

Healthy Living Tip
Goals That Stick
Remember, your goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely. Here are some to get you started:
 
  • Eat more whole foods (set a particular number based on your lifestyle).
  • Drink more water (put a specific number of ounces you want to hit).
  • Sit less and move more (ex: standing up once per hour for 12 hours).
  • Go for a 15-minute walk every day.
  • Get at least 7 hours of sleep.
 
We’d love to know: what goals are you setting this winter?
 
Tip adapted from Healthline7

Weekly Riddle
You need to take a gallon of oil out of a barrel of oil.
How can you do it using only a 3-gallon container
and a 5-gallon container?
 
Last week’s riddle: It is a short and simple word,
and something that everyone needs.
Put an 'r' on the end and you have a new friend,
but if the first letter goes away, you are sad.
What is this word? Answer: Love.

Photo of the Week
Crooked River, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
David P. Little
President | CWS®
Tyler D. Little
Vice President | BFA™
FOOTNOTES & SOURCES

1. The Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2023
2. The Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2023
3. The Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2023
4. The Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2023
5. CNBC, January 12, 2023
6. IRS.gov, November 15, 2022
7. Healthline, December 23, 2019

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.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
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