Stocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election enthusiasm as investors looked to future policy impacts of a Republican-controlled Senate and executive branch. (The House of Representatives remains undecided.)

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index spiked 4.65 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 5.74 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.61 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, was flat (-0.02 percent).1,2

Stocks Extend Rally on Election News

It was a shaky start to the week for stocks as investors anxiously awaited election results and the Fed’s interest-rate decision.3

On Election Day, stocks rallied broadly before polling places closed. After the election was called early the next morning, stocks opened higher and climbed throughout the trading session. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.307 percent.4,5

Stocks opened higher Thursday, and the rally picked up momentum after the Federal Reserve approved its second consecutive interest rate cut. Economic news that showed a 2.2 percent rise in third-quarter productivity helped support the move.6,7

Stocks finished the week with a number of records: the S&P 500 crossed the 6,000 mark, and the Dow breached 44,000 for the first time on Friday. While the S&P and Dow closed slightly below those record levels, each had their best week in a year.8

Fed Cuts Rates 

As expected, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point at its November meeting.

However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled some uncertainty about the pace of future rate cuts, which slightly unsettled the markets.

Citing a desire to “steer between the risk of moving too quickly and perhaps undermining our progress on inflation, or moving too slowly and allowing the labor market to weaken too much,” Powell said the Fed will continue to monitor the economy’s progress.9

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: Fed Officials Neel Kashkari and Patrick Harker speak.

Wednesday: Consumer Price Index. Fed Officials Lorie Logan, Alberto Musalem, and Jeffrey Schmid speak. Treasury Buyback Announcement.

Thursday: Producer Price Index. Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks. Weekly Jobless Claims.

Friday: Retail Sales. Industrial Production. Import and Export Prices. Business Inventories.

Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; November 8, 2024
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 Home Depot, Inc. (HD), Shopify Inc. (SHOP), Spotify Technology (SPOT)

Wednesday: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO)

Thursday: The Walt Disney Company (DIS), Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT), Brookfield Corporation (BN)

Source: Zacks, November 8, 2024.
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.

“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Be On the Lookout for Tax Carryovers

Deductions or credits not used fully one tax year that may be eligible to be carried over into future years include:

• When you have a net operating loss
• When your total expenses for a permitted deduction exceed the amount you’re allowed to deduct in a given year
• When a credit you qualify for exceeds the amount of tax you owe in a year
• Adoption tax credits
• Foreign tax credits
• Credits for energy efficiency

Track these (or have your software do it) so you don’t forget them from one year to the next.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS10

Know Your Key Health Numbers

According to the American Heart Association, adults should know their key health numbers, including total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index. If you’re unsure what your “numbers” are, schedule a visit with your doctor to monitor them and understand why each is important. Here’s a quick definition of each metric:

• Cholesterol – Cholesterol is a lipoprotein in our body’s tissues that forms and maintains cell membranes.
• Body mass index (BMI) – Your BMI is calculated using your height and weight and can help determine whether you’re underweight, at a healthy weight, or overweight.
• Blood pressure – Blood pressure refers to the amount of force the heart must use to pump blood throughout the body.
• Blood sugar – Blood sugar measures the concentration of glucose in the blood.

Tip adapted from American Heart Association11

What common English-language word becomes shorter when you make it longer?

Last week’s riddle: I am only one syllable long and too heavy for one person to lift, but if you reverse me, I am not. What am I? Answer: A ton.

Gateway Arch

Saint Louis, Missouri

Footnotes and Sources

1. The Wall Street Journal, November 8, 2024

2. Investing.com, November 8, 2024

3. CNBC.com, November 4, 2024

4. CNBC.com, November 5, 2024

5. The Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2024

6. The Wall Street Journal, November 7, 2024

7. MarketWatch.com, November 7, 2024

8. The Wall Street Journal, November 8, 2024

9. The Wall Street Journal, November 7, 2024

10. IRS.gov, January 30, 2024

11. American Heart Association, July 24, 2024

Stocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.50 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 0.96 percent.1,2

Q3 Reports Uninspired

Stocks rallied early Wednesday after the gross domestic product report showed a strong economy that appeared on the path to a soft landing. However, stocks moved lower throughout the day as investors digested mixed Q3 reports from a few mega-cap tech names.3,4

Stocks were under more pressure Thursday as disappointing outlooks for some key tech companies pulled the market down. A softer-than-expected jobs report on Friday unsettled investors, but stocks picked up as the day progressed, and attention shifted to how the Fed may interpret the jobs data.5

By Friday, the Nasdaq’s eight-week winning streak had ended, and the S&P fell for the second week.

Fed Back in Focus After Jobs Report

At its most recent meetings, the Fed has made it clear that it needed to balance the risks of both inflation and employment.

So Friday’s jobs report that showed 12,000 jobs created in October caught some by surprise. Economists expected the Labor Department to report 100,000, down from September’s 223,000 jobs.6

Investors parsed the data and determined the strike at a major aircraft manufacturer and two hurricanes caused the jobs report to fall short of estimates. Investors also appeared to believe the jobs report would prompt the Fed to move on rates at its two-day policy meeting, which ends on November 7.

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Motor Vehicle Sales. Factory Orders.

Tuesday: Election Day.

Wednesday: FOMC Meeting – Day 1. EIA Petroleum Status Report.

Thursday: FOMC Meeting – Day 2. FOMC Announcement. Fed Chair Press Conference. Productivity and Costs.

Friday: Consumer Sentiment. Fed Official Michelle Bowman speaks.

Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; November 1, 2024
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

Monday: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

Tuesday: Apollo Global Management Inc. (APO)

Wednesday: Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)

Thursday: Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB)

Source: Zacks, November 1, 2024.
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.

“It is not the position, but the disposition.”

– Susan Sontag

Military Members and Their Families Can Receive Free Tax Advice

The IRS started the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax advice, preparation, return filing help, and other assistance to military members and their families. This also includes specific tax advice for military members on combat zone tax benefits, special extensions, and other special rules. VITA has convenient locations on and off base and even has offices overseas.

These offerings are just one way the IRS strives to make tax information available to all. It also offers other free assistance programs to taxpayers who qualify, including the elderly, through its Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS7

Indoor Exercises to Stay Active

It might be hard to get outside often for walks and exercise in the winter, but you can do plenty of indoor exercises, even when the weather outside is not cooperating. Here are some simple moves to get you exercising indoors:

• Start with your core. Do 30 crunches followed by a minute-long plank. Repeat for three sets.
• Do two sets of mountain climbers: 60 seconds on, 30 seconds rest.
• Do push-ups (either on your knees or your toes), and hold a plank for a minute on your last rep. Rest for 20 seconds, then repeat three more times.
• Do a standing, reverse lunge, 20 reps on each side. Complete three sets.
• Do regular squats, but hold at the lowest point for three seconds. Complete 20 reps three times.

Tip adapted from Active8

I am only one syllable long and too heavy for one person to lift, but if you reverse me, I am not. What am I?

Last week’s riddle: How many times can you subtract the number 75 from 7,500? Answer: Once, because after the first subtraction, you will subtract 75 from 7,425.

Yosemite National Park

Sierra Nevada, California

Footnotes and Sources

1. The Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2024

2. Investing.com, November 1, 2024

3. CNBC.com, October 30, 2024

4. The Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2024

5. The Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2024

6. The Wall Street Journal, November 1, 2024

7. IRS.gov, March 29, 2024

8. Active, July 24, 2024

Stocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty slowed market momentum.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.96 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.16 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.68 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 2.30 percent.^1,2

Nasdaq Leads

Stocks were mixed for the first half of the week as investors geared up for a steady stream of Q3 reports. The 10-year Treasury yield continued to trend higher, which caught the attention of some traders. 

Markets fell Wednesday morning with news that existing home sales fell to a 14-year low in October; still slowed by higher interest rates, sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. Also, pre-election jitters remained an undertow with traders.^3,4,5

News that durable goods orders rose in September buoyed sentiment a bit. At Friday’s close, the Nasdaq, fueled by technology names, marked its seventh consecutive week of gains but the S&P 500 broke its 6-week winning streak.^6,7

Election Focus

With the election cycle in full swing, some traders appear to be preparing for an uptick in volatility in the coming weeks.

In late August, nearly 90 percent of stock traded above their 20-day moving average. However, that momentum has slowed. On Tuesday, Standard & Poor’s reported that the number of stocks above their 20-day moving average fell to nearly 50 percent. Traders may be moving to more of a “risk off” position ahead of November 5.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: International Trade in Goods. Consumer Confidence. Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

Wednesday: Gross Domestic Product. Treasury Refunding Announcement. Pending Home Sales. ADP Employment Report.

Thursday: Personal Income and Outlays.

Friday: Employment Situation. ISM Manufacturing Index.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; October 25, 2024
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

Monday: Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

Tuesday: Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL), Visa Inc. (V), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

Wednesday: Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

Thursday: Apple Inc. (APPL), Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Mastercard Incorporated (MA), Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER)

Friday: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), Chevron Corporation (CVX)

^{Source: Zacks, October 25, 2024 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.}

“Keep your thoughts free from hate, and you need have no fear from those who hate you.”

– George Washington Carver

Is Your Office in a Historic Building? You May Be Eligible for a Tax Credit

To protect heritage sites and other history, the IRS implemented its rehabilitation tax credit, which offers an incentive to renovate and restore old or historic buildings. Here are some of the highlights to help you determine whether your building is eligible:

• The credit may pay 20 percent of the qualifying costs of rehabilitating a historic building.
• This 20 percent needs to be spread out over five years.
• The credit doesn’t apply to the purchase of the building.
• Taxpayers use Form 3468, Investment Credit, to claim the rehabilitation tax credit.

Although this credit might not significantly improve many situations, it’s still a step toward preserving our country’s history.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS⁹

Neck and Shoulder Stretches for Desk Potatoes

Many of us sit at a desk for hours a day and stare at a screen. These easy desk stretches can help:

• Overhead side stretch: Put your arms over your head and lean in one direction while sitting up straight. Repeat on the other side. 
• Side-neck stretch: Gently put your hand on the back of your head and guide it to your chest. Then, instead of putting your head straight down, turn it slightly by looking at your thigh.  
• Neck-roll stretch: Relax and lean your head forward. Slowly roll your head to one side and hold for about 10 to 20 seconds, then slowly roll it to the other side. 
• Upper-trap stretch: Gently pull your head toward each shoulder. Hold on each side for 10 to 20 seconds.

Tip adapted from Healthline¹⁰

How many times can you subtract the number 75 from 7,500?

Last week’s riddle: How could Gail drive her car from Cleveland to Miami with a flat tire?
Answer: Her spare tire was flat, not any of the four tires she was driving on.

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching among of icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord

Unesco World Heritage Site, Greenland

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 25, 2024}

^{3. MarketWatch.com, October 23, 2024}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2024}

^{6. ABA Banking Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{7. CNBC.com, October 25, 2024}

^{8. The Wall Street Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{9. IRS.gov, April 30, 2024}

^{10. Healthline, July 24, 2024}

Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.85 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.80 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.31 percent.^1,2

Six in a Row

Stocks bolted out of the gate as the week began. The S&P 500 and the Dow Industrials hit record highs, with the Dow crossing 43,000 for the first time.³

Midweek, news of stronger-than-expected retail sales report contributed to overall market momentum. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in September, topping economists forecasts.⁴

As the week wrapped up, the technology sector helped fuel a rally that pushed the S&P and Nasdaq to another record high. It was the sixth straight week of gains for the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Industrials.⁵

Insight from Corporate Reports

There were many market forces pushing each other around last week.

Corporate earnings reports drove much of the market action. Some of the most extensive financial stocks surprised on the upside, supporting a narrative that the economy remains strong. 

At the same time, a corporate report from one of the world’s largest chip manufacturing contractors revealed continued strong global demand for AI microchips. However, increasing investor anxiety was a constant undertow in trading as the November elections drew nearer.⁶

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Fed Officials Lori Logan, Neel Kashkari, and Jeffrey Schmid speak.

Tuesday: Fed Official Patrick Harker speaks.

Wednesday: Existing Home Sales. Beige Book. Fed Officials Michelle Bowman and Thomas Barkin speak.

Thursday: New Home Sales. Weekly Jobless Claims. Fed Official Beth Hammack speaks.

Friday: Durable Goods. Consumer Sentiment.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; October 18, 2024
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: GE Aerospace (GE), Philip Morris International Inc. (PM), Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN), RTX Corporation (RTX), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), Fiserv, Inc. (FI)

Wednesday: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), The CocaCola Company (KO), T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW), AT&T Inc. (T), Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX), The Boeing Company (BA)

Thursday: Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP), United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

^{Source: Zacks, October 18, 2024
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.}

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

– Mae Jemison

Tax Incentives Can Help You Further Your Education

Tax credits help with the cost of higher education by managing the income tax you may need to pay. The two tax credits available are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Some education savings plans offer tax benefits if the individual qualifies. Also, you may be able to deduct higher education costs – such as tuition, student loan interest, and qualified education expenses – from your tax return.

Knowing your potential tax benefits may save you money if you’ve always dreamed about returning to school, whether to further your career or just learn something new. 

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS⁷

The Benefits of Brain Training

We know how important it is to exercise our bodies, but exercising our brains is just as important. When we continue to learn, our brains are better for it. Here are just a few benefits of “brain training,” or exercising your brain:

• Improved executive functions
• Improved working memory
• Improved processing speed
• Preserved cognitive health
• Fewer problems with daily functioning
• Better control over mental processing abilities

There are many fun ways to exercise your brain, one of which is to continue learning new things. Attend a pottery, painting, or foreign language class in your neighborhood, or check for discounts on community college courses. Another great way to exercise your brain is to socialize with others, spend time in nature, and practice mind puzzles, such as crosswords, Sudoku, or a game in a brain-training app.

Tip adapted from American Psychological Association⁸

How could Gail drive her car from Cleveland to Miami with a flat tire?

Last week’s riddle: If six pheasants are in a stand of cattails, and a hunter shoots one of them, how many will remain amid the cattails?
Answer: None, because the rest of the pheasants will fly away when they hear the shot.

Two lions (Panthera leo) resting high up in a tree

Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 18, 2024}

^{3. CNBC.com, October 15, 2024}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, October 17, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2024}

^{6. The Wall Street Journal, October 18, 2024}

^{7. IRS.gov, July 3, 2024}

^{8. American Psychological Association, July 24, 2024}

Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.21 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.23 percent.^1,2

Up And Down Week

Stocks slipped on Monday as oil continued to rise but moved higher on Tuesday as the technology sector showed the way. Oil prices fell back as investors took a wait-and-see stance concerning Middle East tensions.³

The S&P 500 and Dow Industrials hit fresh record highs on Wednesday but dipped Thursday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation was warmer than expected.^4,5

Earnings season kicked off Friday, and update reports from a few money center banks injected some enthusiasm into markets. Also, the Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed wholesale prices stayed flat last month, a welcomed update for investors. All three averages closed higher for the fifth consecutive week.⁶

Inflation Moves Markets

Despite news that showed retail inflation continued to decelerate in September, anxious investors focused on the fact that CPI came in slightly warmer than economists expected for September. Meanwhile, Friday’s PPI reading came in slightly better than economists expected, adding a layer of complexity for the Fed as it evaluates the inflation story.^7,8

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Fed Official Christopher Waller speaks.

Tuesday: Fed Official Adriana Kugler speaks.

Wednesday: Import and Export Prices. API Weekly Oil Stocks.

Thursday: Retail Sales. Industrial Production. EIA Petroleum Status Report. Weekly Jobless Claims. Fed Official Austan Goolsbee speaks.

Friday: Housing Starts and Permits.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; October 9, 2024
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: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UHN), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Bank of America Corporation (BAC), The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), Citigroup Inc.©

Wednesday: Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Prologis, Inc. (PLD)

Thursday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Morgan Stanley (MS), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG), Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV), Marsh & McLennon Companies, Inc. (MMC), The Blackstone Group (BX)

Friday: The Proctor & Gamble Company (PG), American Express Company (AXP)

^{Source: Zacks, October 9, 2024
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.}

“Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.”

– Colin Powell

Passport Power

Did you know that the IRS can revoke your passport if you owe the Internal Revenue Service $62,000 or more? That’s right; the IRS can revoke the passports of any taxpayer owing $62,000 or more, including penalties and interest.

Notably, if you’re currently paying off the debt or are contesting a tax bill in court, you should not be affected. However, anyone under an IRS tax lien could find their ability to travel hampered.

Contact a qualified attorney or tax specialist with questions about tax debts or other complex tax issues.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS⁹

Eat The Rainbow, Reap The Rainbow

Every food has health benefits, and colors can help you determine which health benefits you enjoy. Here’s a quick summary of some of the benefits associated with these colored foods:

• Red foods contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce cancer risk and keep our hearts healthy.
• Orange/yellow foods contain lots of carotenoids, which help maintain healthy mucous membranes and eyes/vision (possibly preventing cataracts and blindness).
• Green foods contain various compounds that have anti-cancer properties. They’re also an excellent source of folate.
• Blue and purple foods contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which can help protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
• White foods are known for their antiviral and antibacterial properties, and some (like bananas) are a good source of potassium.

Tip adapted from healthline.com¹⁰

If six pheasants are in a stand of cattails, and a hunter shoots one of them, how many will remain amid the cattails?

Last week’s riddle: I have rough skin and sometimes more than two eyes, but I can be tasty when prepared plainly and simply. Just what am I? Answer: A potato.

Bald Eagles Prepare Nest – Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Kenansville, Florida, United States

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 11, 2024}

^{3. CNBC.com, October 8, 2024}

^{4. MarketWatch.com, October 9, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{6. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{7. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{8. MarketWatch.com, October 11, 2024}

^{9. IRS.gov, June 12, 2024}

^{10. healthline.com, July 24, 2024}