Friday,
December 15, 2023

Market recap

Dow Jones

37,248.35

+158.11 (+0.43%)

S&P 500

4,719.55

+12.46 (+0.26%)

Nasdaq

14,761.56

+27.59 (+0.19%)

Adobe

$584.64

-$39.62 (-6.35%)

Intel

$45.18

+$0.61 (+1.37%)

Moderna

$85.87

+7.27 (+9.25%)

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Top Story

What Investors Need to Know for 2024

The year is almost over so it’s time to look ahead to 2024. Investors will still be watching the Fed in the new year, but it might have a different flavor.

Read more >>


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US stocks inched up on Thursday but took a breather compared to the Fed-fueled rally earlier in the week

•   The Dow notched another record high thanks to this week’s rally.

•   Adobe shares fell 6.4% on weaker-than-expected guidance, even as the company beat earnings expectations.

•   Shares of drug makers Moderna and Merck moved significantly after promising data on skin cancer treatments combining Moderna’s experimental cancer vaccine and Merck’s Keytruda therapy. The news sent Moderna’s shares 9.3% higher and Merck stock 1.2% lower.

•   Shares of General Motors rose 6.7% on layoff news at its wholly-owned robotaxi company Cruise, which announced to cut 24% of its workforce, or 900 employees.

•   Intel shares rose 1.4% after revealing its new AI chip, which is slated to compete with NVIDIA and AMD next year.

•   Oil prices rose 3.2% from a five-month low after a larger-than-expected drawdown of 4.3 million barrels from U.S. stockpiles.

•   November retail sales rose 0.3% compared to an expected decline of 0.1%, highlighting continued resilience in consumer spending during the holiday shopping season in spite of higher prices on many goods.

•   The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined more than expected in the week ended December 9th, hitting the lowest level in two months.

What to be on the lookout for today

•   The NY Empire state manufacturing index, and industrial production data.

•   We’ll also get an earnings report from Olive Garden-owner Darden Restaurants.

Watch out for this debt trap in retirement

Debt is a financial burden at any age — but it can be especially tough to pay down when you’re no longer working and on a fixed income.

The good news is that debt levels tend to drop as you enter your golden years.

Even though more than two-thirds of families in the age group of 55-64 are in debt, with an average balance of $69,000, these numbers drop as people move further into retirement age as they pay off personal loans and mortgages. For the group aged 75+, average debt balances are just over $20,000, with fewer than half of all households in debt.

Small expenses adding up

But there is one concerning trend among the older age groups: credit card debt. More than 40% of those aged 65-74 are carrying a high balance on their credit cards, suggesting they’re relying on this high-interest channel for their spending. Not paying your credit card bill in full is costly since it means you will also be paying interest on top of the balance.

If you feel like you might benefit from tracking your money more closely, SoFi can help and take the first step to financial wellness.


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Today’s top stories

Is the labor market really as strong as we think?
Despite what recent data suggest, the labor market is cooling, especially for white-collar workers. But that may be all part of the Fed’s plan.
Read more >>

What retirement? The ratio of older workers is growing
Demographic groups are shifting and inflation is high, throwing a wrench into traditional retirement. About one in five Americans aged 65+ work, and that number is expected to grow.
Read more >>

The secret sauce in your savings account
Compounding interest can be a powerful tool in growing your wealth, and is among the reasons why the money you save today can grow much larger as time passes. Here’s what you need to know about compounding interest.
Read more >>

Other news that caught our eye

Financial planner tip of the day

“Where you put your 20% savings can help you reach your goals. High-yield savings accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, and cash management accounts are all vehicles that may pay more interest than a traditional savings account, helping your savings grow.”

Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi

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