Three Things to Watch
- Investors will get an updated look at the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) dual mandate this week, with both the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) and employment report released. Nonfarm payrolls are expected to increase 69,000 with the unemployment rate steady at 4.4%, while core CPI is expected to decline slightly to 2.5%. Both numbers were delayed slightly due to the partial government shutdown. They remain slightly at odds with unemployment up and inflation stubbornly above target.
- Fed Governors Waller and Miran are set to speak after the Fed left rates unchanged in January and President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the new chair and is pushing for lower rates.
- Another busy week of earnings is scheduled with 78 members of the S&P 500 reporting, including Coke, McDonald’s and Cisco. Earnings continue to surprise to the upside.
Three Things to Know
- The Super Bowl indicator, a decades-old piece of Wall Street folklore, might be the worst form of prediction, but it’s weirdly one of the most accurate. Developed in 1978 by New York Times sportswriter Leonard Koppett, the indicator suggests that a Super Bowl victory for the NFL’s National Football Conference (NFC) representative portends a bull market for stocks, whereas a win for the American Football Conference (AFC) team signals a bear market. It has a 70% accuracy rate over its 60-year-old data set. (Source: MSN)
- Each team playing in the Super Bowl gets 108 footballs, according to Wilson Sporting Goods. Of those, 54 are for practice, and 54 are for the actual game. And here’s another fun Super Bowl fact: Typically, 120 balls are used during the actual game. The additional ones are kicker footballs, used for all kicking plays. (Source: Reader’s Digest)
- Super Bowl Sunday ranks as the second-largest day for food consumption in the United States, right behind Thanksgiving—millions of wings, pizzas and dips are devoured annually. (Source: www.punnypulse.com)
The above information reflects the current opinion of the author. It is based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward-looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security mentioned.