Despite generally good economic data, U.S. stock indexes ended the week lower.  Foreign stock indexes were generally higher with emerging markets stocks having strong gains.  The markets fluctuated based on various comments from the Trump administration regarding trade.  U.S. and Chinese officials at multiple levels met to discuss trade prior to the G20 summit meeting at the end of the month.

Crude oil ended the week sharply lower at $57.03 a barrel.  There has been a sharp increase in production and inventories in the U.S. in anticipation of the Iran sanctions.  However, since eight countries were given exemptions, the effect of the sanctions may be much less than anticipated.  Keep in mind crude oil was $76 a barrel in early October.  OPEC is meeting in December and it is anticipated there will be production cuts.

Most other commodities ended the week higher as the dollar ended the week lower.  The 10-year treasury yield ended the week lower at 3.1%.

In the numbers this week:

• The Labor Department reported:
  • Consumer prices rose 0.3% in October and were up 2.5% from a year earlier.  Excluding volatile food and energy prices were up 0.2% in October and 2.1% form a year earlier.
  • Initial jobless claims rose 2,000 in the prior week to a seasonally adjusted 216,000.  The four-week moving average of claims rose 1,500 to 215.250.
• The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 0.8% in October and 4.6% from a year earlier.  The prior two months were revised down by 0.1%.  The increase was driven by a 3.5% increase in gasoline sales.  Auto sales were especially strong.  Excluding volatile gasoline and auto sales, retail sales still rose 0.3%.
• The Energy Information Administration weekly report is here wpsrsummary.  Also, the EIA reported
• • U.S. Crude oil production rose sharply to 11.7MM barrels per day.
  • 

• • Storage of natural gas rose 39BN cubic feet.  Natural gas storage is below the minimum for this date during the past five years.
• According to Baker Hughes, In the past two weeks, the number of active oil rigs rose 14 to 888 and natural gas rigs rose 1 to 194.
• Factset reported, with 92% of S&P 500 companies reporting 3^rd quarter earnings, the blended earnings increase was 25.7% from the 3^rd quarter of last year.  However, 61 companies reported negative guidance and 27 reported positive guidance.

Please call us if you have any questions.

Loren C. Rex, CFP^®, AIF^®, MA                                                         Erik A Smith

President                                                                                                 Managing Partner

Generations Financial Planning & Wealth Management             269-441-4143

77 E. Michigan Ave, Suite 140

Battle Creek, MI  49017

Tel 269-441-4090

Carrie Fuce, Assistant 269-441-4091

Toll Free: 800-513-8180

Fax 866-381-2301

Visit our Website:  www.genfinplan.com

Registered Representative of and securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.  Cambridge and Generations Financial Planning & Wealth Management are separate companies and are not affiliated.

These are the opinions of Loren Rex and Erik Smith and are not necessarily those of Cambridge, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice.  The Indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.