U.S. stocks climbed higher last week with the broad-market S&P 500 posting a third weekly gain. Equity appetites were bolstered on optimism surrounding solid corporate earnings however gains were capped by comments from Fed Chairman Powell saying supply-chain constraints have worsened, hastening further inflation risks ahead.
Congressional movement is still slow in regard to tax legislation making year-end planning a moving target. Retirement reform legislation has also stalled. Look for discussion around these topics should political action change.
Here's what we're reading this week:
Weekly Commentary -- A lopsided energy transition -- BlackRock
The economic restart has laid bare a lopsided transition toward low-carbon energy that has amplified a surge in coal and natural gas prices.
U.S. stocks rallied to all-time highs on better-than-expected corporate earnings. Oil prices hit multi-year highs.
Investors will watch activity and inflation data from the U.S., euro area and Germany for clues on the impact of supply chain disruptions on growth.
Trick or Treating on Wall Street -- Cetera Investment Management
Cetera provides a reminding perspective on the short-term volatility in stock markets in a metaphor for the scary holiday upon us.
Dividends: Best of Both Worlds? -- Hartford Funds
Dividend-paying stocks can help provide what investors want: growth potential with less risk.
- Preparing your portfolio for volatility could mean giving up a degree of growth potential.
- Dividend-paying companies not only offer growth potential, but have also historically been less volatile than companies that don’t pay dividends.
- American companies currently have the highest-ever amount of cash on hand available, which could make income from dividends increasingly attractive.
It’s important to note that dividend payouts are a perk, not a guarantee.