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Featured, February 2020 Issue |
March 2020

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Non-farm payroll

The U.S. economy continues its modest growth trajectory, with non-farm payroll growing by 195,000 per month on average. The overall labor market remains tight, as indicated by the recent unemployment survey, which came in at 3.5%. On a regional basis, large cities in the south and west were stronger than similar cities in the north and midwest.

U.S. & World Equity Indexes; 2/3/20; YTD Return S&P 500; 3,255; 0.76% Dow Jones Industrials; 28,517; -0.13% Nasdaq Composite; 9,279; 3.42% Shanghai Composite (China); 2,746; -9.95% S&P BSE Sensex (India); 39,872; -3.35% Nikkei Stock Avg (Japan); 22,971; -2.89% CAC 40 (France); 5,822; -2.43% DAX (Germany); 13,033; -1.53% FTSE 100 (U.K.); 7,286; -2.87%
Selected Interest Rates; 2/3/20; 1/2/20 15-Year Mortgage; 3.00%; 3.16% 30-Year Mortgage; 3.51%; 3.72% 5-Year Treasury Bond; 1.32%; 1.67% 10-Year Treasury Bond; 1.51%; 1.88% 30-Year Treasury Bond; 1.99%; 2.33%
Key Economic Statistics; Most Recent; Prior Month National Producer Price Index; 0.10%; 0.00% Consumer Price Index; 0.20%; 0.30% Unemployment Rate; 3.50%; 3.50% ISM Manufacturing Index; 50.90; 47.20 ISM Services Index; 55.00; 53.90 Change in Non-farm Payroll Emp.; 145,000; 266,000 New York State Consumer Price Index - NY, NJ, CT; 0.10%; 0.10% Unemployment Rate; 4.00%; 4.00% Empire State Manufacturing Survey; 4.80%; 3.50%

U.S. Wages and Salaries Growth

Wage growth adjustment for inflation has been averaging almost 5% since fall 2019. Rising wages confirm labor market tightness and add fuel to consumer product demand, both positive drivers for the U.S. economy.

Equity Market Statistics; Most Recent; Prior Month Dow Jones Industrials; 2/3/20; 1/2/20 Dividend Yield; 2.31%; 2.31% Price/Earnings (12 Mth Trailing); 20.53; 20.53 Price/Earnings (Projected); 19.31; 19.31 S&P 500 Index; 2/3/20; 1/2/20 Dividend Yield; 1.86%; 1.90% Price/Earnings (12 Mth Trailing); 22.40; 21.75 Price/Earnings (Projected); 19.94; 18.39

The information herein was obtained from various sources believed to be accurate; however, Forté Capital does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. This report was prepared for general information purposes only. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any securities, options, or futures contracts. Forté Capital’s Proprietary Market Risk Barometer is a summary of 30 indicators and is copyrighted by Forté Capital LLC. For further information, visit www.fortecapital.com, send a message to info@forte-capital.com, or call 866-586-8100 and ask for David W. Henion, CPA, or Larry H. Rabinowitz, CPA/PFS.

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