Market Direction Week of January 1, 2018©

Market Direction: BULLISH alert issued 9/21/2017

Stock on the Radar (STAR)© was launched 6/19/2017 Sunday evening. When there is a new stock recommendations for the week it is typically made available late Sunday, so investors can prepare to take a position when the market opens Monday for trading.

Last Week Review: Stocks were little changed in the final week of 2017. While gains were muted last week, stock markets rose steadily around the globe in 2017, with international stocks outperforming U.S. stocks for the first time since 2012. With that in mind, U.S. stocks still posted gains exceeding 20%, including dividends. Additionally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose more than 5,000 points, its largest ever point gain in a calendar year. 

Stock markets soared around the world in 2017 as global economic growth improved and investor confidence strengthened. Interest rates generally remained low, helping keep markets calm despite ongoing worries that political uncertainty or unexpected events would trigger disruptions. But rising optimism and five years of above-average U.S. stock market returns are two key reasons investors need to put away their rose-colored glasses and set realistic expectations for the years ahead.

How the market finished last week, the S&P 500 down 0.4%, the Nasdaq down 0.8%, and the Dow down 0.1%.

This Week: The first week of 2018 is full of important economic data. To begin the year, the manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) will be reported. Then on Wednesday, vehicle sales and the Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes will be released. Due to the New Years’ Day holding, the ADP numbers and the weekly EIA crude inventories figure will be delayed by a day. The week will end with December's jobs report.

Corporate data is very light, but UK retailers will keep a wary eye on Next’s trading statement, due on Wednesday. 

Economic Calendar: ISM Mfg Index (1/3), FOMC Minutes (1/3), International Trade (1/5), Employment Report (1/5)

Some of the major earnings announcements on deck: SONC, MON, WBA, STZ, AYI.

$tockMarketDirection proprietary model is currently BULLISH. We strongly encourage you to monitor positions closely, exercise proper money management strategies and follow us at $tockMarketDirection for ALERTS we may issue advising a change in the current market direction. Stay tuned and follow us. If you have a testimonial or comment of how this website has helped you we would like to know, write us. Share with a friend. Cha-ching.

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