Weekly Economic Update – September 3, 2018

OPTIMISM REIGNS ON MAIN STREET
In August, the Conference Board’s respected consumer confidence index made a remarkable leap, rising 5.5 points to 133.4. This was its highest reading in almost 18 years. (Economists surveyed by Briefing.com forecast an August reading of 126.5.) The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index also improved in its final August edition, ending the month at a mark of 96.2, 0.9 points above its preliminary reading.^1,2

STRONG SHOWING FOR PERSONAL SPENDING, IMPROVEMENT FOR Q2 GDP
Households boosted their outlays by 0.4% in July, according to the Department of Commerce. The seventh month of the year also saw a 0.3% gain in personal incomes. In June, both indicators displayed an advance of 0.4%. The Department also issued its first revision to second-quarter economic growth last week, taking the number up 0.1% to an even stronger 4.2%.¹

WILL NAFTA BE REPLACED NEXT YEAR?
Last week, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada progressed toward a new trade deal that would supplant the North American Free Trade Agreement. The proposed new accord, which would be in place for the next 16 years and reviewed every six years, stipulates that 75% of the value of a vehicle sold in North America must be produced in either America, Canada, or Mexico, up from 62.5%. It would require Mexico to put higher wages in place for workers, while keeping Mexican farm exports free from U.S. tariffs. By law, President Trump must give Congress 90 days of notice prior to signing any new trade deal. The Trump administration urged Canada to join the new agreement by September 1, but it actually has until the end of this month to submit a fully detailed trade pact to Congress for review. Capitol Hill lawmakers are unlikely to vote on the deal until mid-2019.^3,4

NASDAQ PUSHES PAST 8,000
Another week, another market milestone: the tech benchmark settled at 8,109.68 Wednesday, a record. It ended the week just a hair lower at 8,109.54, advancing 2.06% in five trading sessions. Up 0.93% for the week, the S&P 500 closed out August at 2,901.52. Rising 0.68% in five days, the Dow Industrials finished the month at 25,964.82.^5,6

TIP OF THE WEEK
Retirement plans should be updated with time. As your financial situation changes, your plan should change and evolve.

THIS WEEK
Monday, nothing major is scheduled. | BMO Financial Group and Best Buy present earnings on Tuesday, while the Conference Board’s August consumer confidence index and the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index also arrive. | The federal government’s second estimate of Q2 economic growth appears Wednesday, as do the NAR’s July pending home sales index and quarterly results from Dick’s Sporting Goods. | Thursday offers July personal spending figures, the July PCE price index, and a new initial unemployment claims report. | On Friday, the University of Michigan releases its final August consumer sentiment index.