Market Summaries

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week's Economic Headlines

• The lack of inflationary price pressure in the economy has persisted throughout the summer months. According to the Consumer Price Index, consumer prices rose 0.4% in August and are up 1.9% over the past 12 months. However, much of the monthly increase is attributable to a spike in energy prices, particularly gasoline, which increased 6.3% in August and has increased 10.4% over the past 12 months. The index less food and energy rose a more modest 0.2% for the month and is up 1.7% over the past 12 months. According to the report, Hurricane Harvey had a very small effect on survey response rates in August.

• The prices producers received for goods and services increased 0.2% in August compared to July's 0.1% decrease. For the last 12 months ended in August, producer prices have increased 2.4%. The index for producer prices less foods, energy, and trade services also increased 0.2% in August following no change in July. Over the last 12 months, producer prices less foods, energy, and trade services rose 1.9%.

• Retail sales to consumers scaled back in August, decreasing 0.2% from the previous month. In-store sales were down 0.3%, while nonstore (online) sales were down 1.1% for the month, but are up 8.4% over the prior 12 months.

• The federal deficit was $107.7 billion in August, an increase of $65 billion from July. Through 11 months of fiscal 2017, the total deficit sits at $674 billion — up from $619 billion over the same period last year. Compared to last year, total expenditures are up 3.1% while total receipts are ahead 1.9%.

• Hurricane Harvey impacted industrial production in August, according to the Federal Reserve's Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization report. Industrial production declined 0.9% in August following six consecutive monthly gains. The index for manufacturing decreased 0.3%. The manufacturing industries with the largest estimated storm-related effects were petroleum refining, organic chemicals, and plastics materials and resins. The output of mining fell 0.8% in August, as Hurricane Harvey temporarily curtailed drilling, servicing, and extraction activity for oil and natural gas. The output of utilities dropped 5.5%, as unseasonably mild temperatures, particularly on the East Coast, reduced the demand for air conditioning.

• The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for July revealed the number of job openings increased from 6.12 million in June to 6.17 million in July. The number of hires and total separations in July were little changed from the prior month. Some of the areas seeing notable job increases include transportation, warehousing, and utilities and educational services. Job openings decreased in health care and social assistance and state and local government. Over the 12 months ended in July, hires totaled 63.6 million and separations totaled 61.5 million, yielding a net employment gain of 2.1 million.

• In the week ended September 9, the advance figure for initial claims for unemployment insurance was 284,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's unrevised level. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma impacted this week's initial claims. The advance insured unemployment rate remained at 1.4%. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance during the week ended September 2 was 1,944,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level.

Eye on the Week Ahead

The Federal Open Market Committee meets this week following a break in August. Committee members will cull a mixed bag of economic information, with job growth steady but little inflationary pressure. The FOMC may opt to leave interest rates as they are for the time being, with a possible increase in October in anticipation of more noticeable economic growth during the fall months.

Data sources: News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e. wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. Market data: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates). All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

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