November Concludes With Gains
WEEKLY UPDATE - DECEMBER 2, 2019
In This Issue
The Week on Wall Street
As November wrapped up, U.S. equity benchmarks advanced. Stocks were again aided by a sense of optimism that a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal could be near.

For the week, the Nasdaq Composite added 1.87%; the S&P 500, 1.21%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 1.03%. The MSCI EAFE index, which measures the performance of developed stock markets outside North America, gained 0.89%.[1][2]
Markets Wait for News of a Trade Pact
Wednesday, a senior White House official told Politico that the U.S. was "millimeters away" from a phase-one trade agreement with China, a deal that might involve the removal of certain tariffs.

Still, friction remains within the Sino-American relationship. Last week, President Trump signed two bills into law backing pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly reacted, stating that American lawmakers had "sinister intentions" and adding that China would take "strong counter-measures" in return. [3][4]

The Latest on Consumer Spending and Consumer Confidence
Personal spending was up 0.3% in October, according to the Department of Commerce. This happened even with no gain in household incomes.

The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index came in at 125.5 for November. Even though it has declined for four straight months, the index remains well above levels seen during the first half of the decade. [5][6]

THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: The Institute for Supply Management provides its latest monthly index of U.S. manufacturing activity (November).
Wednesday: The ISM presents its November Non-Manufacturing Index, and Automatic Data Processing (ADP) publishes its November payrolls report.
Friday: November hiring data arrives from the Department of Labor, and the University of Michigan's preliminary December Consumer Sentiment Index appears.

Source: Econoday, November 29, 2019
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.

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Tuesday: Salesforce (CRM), Workday (WDAY)
Wednesday: RBC (RY)
Thursday: Dollar General (DG), TD Bank (TD)

Source: Zacks, November 29, 2019
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. 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.


"December. A month of lights, snow and feasts; time to make amends and tie loose ends; finish off what you started and hope your wishes come true"

- Unknown
Super-Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

There's no time like the holidays to enjoy something warm, gooey, and totally indulgent. Enter: cinnamon rolls! Make these cinnamon rolls to impress guests, bring to your next holiday party, or just devour at home. 

[10 servings]

Ingredients

For the Dough:
  • 1¼ cups milk, warmed
     
  • ½ cup sugar
     
  • 1 Tbsp. active-dry yeast
     
  • ½ tsp. salt
     
  • ½ cup butter, softened 
     
  • 2 eggs
     
  • 4½ cups bread flour

For the Filling:
  • ½ cup of butter, softened
     
  • 1 cup sugar
     
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

For the Glaze:
  • ½ cup browned butter
     
  • 3 Tbsp. whole milk
     
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
     
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
     
  • 3½ cups confectioner's sugar

Directions
  1. Pour the milk and half of the sugar (¼ cup) into a mixing bowl and stir together.
     
  2. Sprinkle in the yeast and allow the mixture to sit until the yeast starts to bubble and foam, about 5 minutes.
     
  3. Stir in the remaining sugar (¼ cup), salt, butter, and eggs. Mix until combined and begin adding the flour slowly to incorporate.
     
  4. Once the flour is mixed in, knead it on a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, about 7 minutes.
     
  5. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean, damp towel, and let it rest until the dough has doubled in size, about an hour.
     
  6. While the dough is resting, simmer both the butter for the glaze and butter for the filling (1 cup total) in a medium saucepan until brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
     
  7. Divide the butter into two separate bowls and let them cool for about 20 minutes.
     
  8. In another bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the filling (1 cup sugar, plus 1 tsp. cinnamon).
     
  9. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch down the center and turn it onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough until it's about ¼-inch thick.
     
  10. Brush the dough with browned butter from one of the bowls. Dust with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
     
  11. Roll the rectangle of dough until it's in the form of a log, and pinch the seam shut. With the seam side down, cut into 10 cinnamon rolls.
     
  12. Place the cinnamon rolls into a lightly greased baking dish and cover with a clean, damp towel. Let it rest until the rolls double in size, about an hour.
     
  13. Preheat the oven to 350° F and bake them for 25 to 30 minutes.
     
  14. For the glaze, stir the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, confectioner's sugar, and remaining browned butter until combined. Slowly stir in the sugar.
     
  15. Pour half the glaze over the cinnamon rolls as they cool for another 30 minutes, and save half for when they're ready to serve. 

Recipe adapted from Spoon Fork Bacon[7]


Tips for Golfing in the Winter

December is officially here, which means winter play is also here. If you're planning on playing outside during the cold winter months, keep these tips in mind:
  • Your ball won't fly as far in the cold, so be prepared to use more club than you might normally.

  • If you can, choose to walk instead of renting a cart. Walking is a great way to keep your body warm.

  • Play with two balls. Keep one warm in your pocket while you play the other one, and then switch them out every hole (just don't artificially heat the ball).
     
  • Make sure to wear multiple layers to stay warm and take off layers as needed when you start to warm up.
     
  • Softer balls will fly farther in the cold weather, so shop for balls that compress more than the harder ones you would use in the summer.

Playing in the winter can be just as fun as playing in the summer. On many courses, the fairways will be less crowded, and you can take your time.


Tip adapted from Leading Courses[9]

Christmas Eve / Day - Offices Hours

In observance of Christmas
We will have reduced hours on Tuesday, December 24th,
Christmas Eve, from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Central.
 
Our offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th
in observance of the Christmas Day Holiday.
 
We will return to normal business hours on
Thursday, December 26th, at 8:00am Central.
 
Have a blessed & Merry Christmas Holiday
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[1] www.wsj.com/market-data

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[3] www.politico.com/news/2019/11/27/us-trade-deal-china-074230

[4] www.cnbc.com/2019/11/29/dow-futures-black-friday-thanksgiving-holiday.html

[5] www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/201911276898/us-gdp-growth-revised-up-to-21-rate-in-third-quarter-2nd-update

[6] www.briefing.com/calendars/economic/display-article?ArticleId=ER20191126100000ConsumerConfidence&FileName=conf.htm

[7] www.spoonforkbacon.com/brown-butter-cinnamon-rolls/

[8] www.irs.gov/newsroom/follow-these-tips-to-protect-data-when-shopping-online

[9] www.leadingcourses.com/blog/winter-golf-10-simple-tips/

[10] www.rewireme.com/happiness/okay-say-no/

[11] www.smallfootprintfamily.com/eco-friendly-holiday-tips

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