And the economic data says...
The United States economy is doing pretty well. So well that a March rate hike by the Federal Reserve is not entirely out of the question. Barron's described the situation like this:
"Squawking pessimism can't drown out what is a very respectable start to 2016. Economic data so far this year, apart from predictions of deflation and negative interest rates, could justify what was scheduled to be, but what soon seemed impossible, a rate hike at the March FOMC. Yes, global factors are a risk and are hurting the factory sector but service prices are definitely on the climb and vehicle prices and vehicle production, reflecting strength in domestic demand, are back up. Ignore the cacophony of doubt and look at the economic data for yourself!"
U.S. economic data was generally positive last week, but that wasn't the primary driver behind the rally in U.S. stock markets, according to Reuters. Nope, that had more to do with oil prices. Despite serious political differences, Iran and Saudi Arabia appeared to reach an accord on oil production last week, when Iran endorsed a plan by Saudi Arabia to stabilize global oil prices, according to The Guardian. The agreement pushed oil prices higher mid-week.
However, late in the week, news that oil stockpiles in the U.S. were at record levels reignited worries about oversupply and oil prices fell at week's end. U.S. stock markets followed, giving back some of the week's gains on Friday, but all of the major indices finished more than 2 percent higher for the week.
Economic data may dominate the news next week. We'll get more information on housing, durable goods orders, jobless claims for February, and a revised estimate for fourth quarter's gross domestic product growth. Barron's suggested a strong employment report in tandem with rising prices could influence the Fed's interest rate decision.
WONDERING WHAT THE NEXT DECADE MAY BRING? America is renowned for innovation - originating ideas that change the ways in which people live and work. From the cotton gin to the assembly line, the transcontinental railroad to the automobile, the telephone to the Internet, ideas and inventions have spurred America's economic growth during the past two centuries. Here are a few inventions that are on the horizon:
- The Superman memory crystal: Imagine, a tiny piece of glass etched by a laser that has the capacity to save an enormous amount of data for more than 13 billion years, according to LiveScience.com. One tiny disc currently holds the Magna Carta, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and King James Bible.
- A transparent antipeep piezoelectric nanogenerator (TAPN): It may have a tongue twister of a name right now, but the TAPN could become as familiar as your phone charger in the future. All you'll have to do is place a transparent film on the touchscreen of a smartphone or another device, and then every tap on the screen will generate electricity. Which begs the question: Could texting teenagers power the world?
- A braille printer: A 12-year-old used Legos to build an inexpensive printer for people who are blind or suffering from macular degeneration or other conditions that affect eyesight. It used a thumbtack to punch braille dots into paper. Newer prototypes don't rely on thumbtacks, and are expected to translate words from a computer screen into braille very quickly.
- A fry pan that teaches cooking: Cooking will not become a lost art if a couple of hungry and cooking-challenged college students are successful. They've developed a smart frying pan. The pan transmits temperature data to the cook using a smartphone app that also lets the cook know when it's time for the next step in a recipe.
The human brain is an engine for innovation, and innovation is a driver of economic growth. Let's hope the outlook is good for brainstorms in the United States and across the globe.
Quote of the Week
"Software innovation, like almost every other kind of innovation, requires the ability to collaborate and share ideas with other people, and to sit down and talk with customers and get their feedback and understand their needs."
--Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft
Golf Tip of the Week
Keep Your Right Foot Firm
If you're having trouble hitting powerful drives, you might need to work on keeping your body behind the ball through impact. One common problem that afflicts amateur golfers is raising the right foot before impact and shifting too much weight to the left, thus losing power.
Avoid shifting your weight too early by anchoring your right foot to the ground to keep yourself from unconsciously lifting it before your club makes contact with the ball. With your foot placed firmly, you'll be able to translate more of your body power into the ball, improving your distance and drive.
Financial Question of the Week
Why is the CFP® designation important?
The CFP® (Certified Financial PlannerTM) mark can help identify financial planners who are committed to competent and ethical behavior when providing financial planning. Individuals certified by CFP Board have taken the extra steps to demonstrate their professionalism by submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process.
Most people think that all financial planners are "certified," but this is not true. Anyone can call himself a "financial planner." Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification mark. When selecting a financial planner, you need to feel confident that the person you choose to help you plan for your future is competent and ethical. The CFP® certification provides that sense of security by allowing only those who meet its high standards the right to use the certification marks.
