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<p>In the latest update, US economic growth for the third quarter has been <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-29/u-s-third-quarter-growth-revised-up-to-3-3-three-year-high">revised upward to a 3.3% pace</a>. This marks the most substantial quarterly increase in three years. Furthermore, <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/forecasts-anticipate-another-solid-rise-for-us-q4-gdp-growth/">estimates for the fourth quarter</a> remain optimistic, suggesting the potential for consecutive quarterly growth exceeding 3%. If these projections materialize, it will represent the best cumulative increase in three consecutive quarters since the period spanning Q3 2014 to Q1 2015.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/how-much-credit-does-trump-deserve-for-economic-growth/#more-9585" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/how-much-credit-does-trump-deserve-for-economic-growth/" title="7:10 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-30T07:10:59-05:00">November 30, 2017</time></a>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Republican tax bill moves closer to a Senate vote: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/senate-takes-step-toward-passage-of-tax-bill-vote-likely-this-week-idUSKBN1DT30D">Reuters</a></span><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Trump has nominated Marvin Goodfriend to the Fed's board of governors:</span> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/us/politics/trump-marvin-goodfriend-fed.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus&action=click&contentCollection=us&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront">NY Times</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">OPEC is anticipated to extend oil production cuts: </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-opec-meeting/opec-allies-set-to-agree-oil-cut-extension-to-end-of-2018-idUSKBN1DU0WW">Reuters</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Fed Chair Yellen informs Congress that the recovery is “increasingly broad based”:</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fed-yellen/yellen-recovery-increasingly-broad-based-in-both-u-s-and-worldwide-idUSKBN1DT1SH?il=0">Reuters</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Q3 GDP growth revised to 3.3%–the highest in three years:</span> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-29/u-s-third-quarter-growth-revised-up-to-3-3-three-year-high">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Pending home sales rebound by 3.5% following post-hurricane recovery:</span> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/pending-home-sales-rebound-3-point-5-percent-in-october-as-hurricane-torn-south-recovers.html">CNBC</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">2-year Treasury yield rises to a new post-recession high of 1.78%: <a href="https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield">Treasury.gov</a><br/></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2yr.30nov2017.png"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9584" src="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2yr.30nov2017.png" alt="" width="700" height="312" /></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/macro-briefing-30-november-2017/" title="5:31 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-30T05:31:42-05:00">November 30, 2017</time></a>
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<p>On Wednesday, North Korea <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/28/politics/north-korea-missile-launch/index.html">announced</a> another missile test, reportedly demonstrating its nuclear-strike capability, which may now reach the United States. Should this be a cause for concern? Absolutely. It is imperative for every global citizen to be alarmed by a belligerent government threatening nuclear action. Nevertheless, from an investment perspective, Kim Jong Un’s provocations should be regarded as mere background noise.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/should-investors-worry-about-north-koreas-missile-tests/#more-9581" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/should-investors-worry-about-north-koreas-missile-tests/" title="7:21 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-29T07:21:54-05:00">November 29, 2017</time></a>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">North Korea tests missile capable of hitting the US:</span> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/28/politics/north-korea-missile-launch/index.html">CNN</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Republican tax bill advances in Senate Budget Committee:</span> <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/2839778/republican-tax-reform-bill-clears-senate-budget-committee.aspx?type=glpn">RTT</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The risk of a US government shutdown is rising as Trump and Democrats clash:</span> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/362256-chances-for-government-shutdown-rising">The Hill</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Powell informs Congress that the case for a rate hike is strengthening:</span> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-28/fed-s-powell-says-case-for-december-rate-hike-is-coming-together-jajv5cw0">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The National Retail Federation reports a robust start to the holiday shopping season:</span> <a href="https://mninews.marketnews.com/content/national-retail-federationmore-holiday-shoppers-expected">MNI</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">US Consumer Confidence Index reaches a 17-year high:</span> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-28/u-s-consumer-confidence-unexpectedly-rises-to-17-year-high">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The US home price index rises by 6.2% year-over-year in September, surpassing expectations:</span> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/28/september-case-shiller-home-price-index.html">CNBC</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Significant growth reported for the FHFA house price gauge in Q3:</span> <a href="http://www.builderonline.com/money/prices/fhfa-home-price-index-posts-strong-gain-in-q3_o">Builder</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Richmond Fed manufacturing index hits a 24-year high in November:</span> <a href="https://www.richmondfed.org/research/regional_economy/surveys_of_business_conditions/manufacturing/2017/mfg_11_28_17#tab-1">Richmond Fed</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/richmond.fed_.29nov2017.png"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9580" src="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/richmond.fed_.29nov2017.png" alt="" width="408" height="265" /></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/macro-briefing-29-november-2017/" title="5:23 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-29T05:23:23-05:00">November 29, 2017</time></a>
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<p>Fourth-quarter US economic growth is projected to remain robust, maintaining the solid 3% pace seen in both Q2 and Q3, according to recent forecasts. If this outlook holds true, US GDP growth could achieve its strongest and longest series of quarterly increases in over a decade.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/forecasts-anticipate-another-solid-rise-for-us-q4-gdp-growth/#more-9577" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/forecasts-anticipate-another-solid-rise-for-us-q4-gdp-growth/" title="7:07 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-28T07:07:35-05:00">November 28, 2017</time></a>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Radio signals suggest a potential North Korean nuclear test:</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-signals/japan-detects-radio-signals-pointing-to-possible-north-korea-missile-test-source-idUSKBN1DS05Y?il=0">Reuters</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Two GOP senators may obstruct the tax bill from advancing to a vote: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/trumps-tax-bill-faces-potential-senate-republican-opposition-idUSKBN1DR263"><span style="color: #000000;">Reuters</span></a></span><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The incoming Fed chief anticipates “rates to rise somewhat further” </span><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-27/powell-sees-rates-rising-somewhat-further-core-reforms-retained">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Manufacturing growth rate moderates in Texas, though remains “solid”:</span> <a href="https://www.dallasfed.org/research/surveys/tmos/2017/1711.aspx">Dallas Fed</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">S&P maintains a “stable” rating on India’s debt:</span> <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/2838999/s-p-keeps-india-s-rating-unchanged.aspx?type=alleco">RTT</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Japan’s government reports that the economy is in a “moderate recovery”:</span> <a href="https://mninews.marketnews.com/content/japan-govt-modest-econ-pickup-intact-some-service-prices">MNI </a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Could Bitcoin reach $40,000? Hedge fund manager thinks it’s possible:</span> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/27/bitcoin-could-easily-reach-40000-by-the-end-of-2018-novogratz.html">CNBC</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Possible crash risk for Bitcoin is 80%:</span> <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-chance-of-a-bitcoin-crash-is-greater-than-80-2017-11-27">MarketWatch</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Ways to short Bitcoin:</span> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-27/calling-a-bitcoin-top-here-s-how-you-can-short-the-digital-coin">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">New home sales surged in October, reaching a 10-year high:</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-housing/u-s-new-home-sales-scale-10-year-high-supply-still-tight-idUSKBN1DR1UM?il=0">Reuters</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/home.sales_.28nov2017.png"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9576" src="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/home.sales_.28nov2017.png" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/macro-briefing-28-november-2017/" title="5:32 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-28T05:32:51-05:00">November 28, 2017</time></a>
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<p>Last week saw a rise in prices across all <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/major-asset-classes-october-2017-performance-review/">major asset classes</a>, according to a specific set of exchange-traded products. This trend marks the first instance of uniformly positive weekly results in the past three months.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/across-the-board-gains-for-markets-last-week-2/#more-9571" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/across-the-board-gains-for-markets-last-week-2/" title="6:57 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-27T06:57:15-05:00">November 27, 2017</time></a>
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<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Indonesian authorities issue evacuation orders for 100,000 as a volcano erupts:</span> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/mount-agung-100000-told-to-evacuate-as-bali-volcano-spews-huge-ash-cloud">Guardian</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Congress faces potential shutdown and other challenges in December:</span> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/26/congress-taxes-shutdown-immigration-december-259826">Politico</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The holiday shopping season begins robustly, driven by a surge in online sales:</span> <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/2838913/forget-the-mall-online-sales-skyrocket.aspx?type=corp">RTT</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">The ECB warns that “fake data” could threaten economic and financial stability:</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecb-policy-coeure/fake-data-a-relative-of-fake-news-is-threat-to-economic-stability-ecb-says-idUSKBN1DO10C">Reuters</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">South Africa’s credit rating downgraded to junk status by S&P:</span> <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/2838977/s-p-cuts-s-africa-s-sovereign-rating-to-junk-status.aspx?type=alleco">RTT</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">US growth eases in November according to PMI data but remains at a “solid” pace:</span> <a href="https://www.markiteconomics.com/Survey/PressRelease.mvc/8701f23cb1214990b08987e9ed5443f8">IHS Markit</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Bitcoin edging closer to $10,000:</span> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-26/bitcoin-surges-past-9-000-as-euphoria-reaches-a-fever-pitch">Bloomberg</a><br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">Drilling activities are triggering a spike in earthquakes in Texas and other states:</span> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/drilling-reawakens-sleeping-faults-in-texas-leads-to-earthquakes/">SciAm</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/earthquake.27nov2017.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9570" src="https://www.capitalspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/earthquake.27nov2017.png" alt="" width="590" height="370" /></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/macro-briefing-27-november-2017/" title="5:20 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-27T05:20:19-05:00">November 27, 2017</time></a>
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<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250126681/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250126681&linkCode=as2&tag=thecapitalspe-20&linkId=fe146eca5aca27857bef87255aa9ef2d" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1250126681&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=thecapitalspe-20" border="0"/></a><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thecapitalspe-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250126681" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0"/>● <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250126681/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250126681&linkCode=as2&tag=thecapitalspe-20&linkId=e85e7778826102279f10efc3062fe1ec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation of Illicit Money Networks and the Global Elite</a><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thecapitalspe-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250126681" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0"/><br/>By Jake Bernstein<br/><strong><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250126689">Summary</a> via publisher (Henry Holt)</strong><br/>A concealed web flows beneath the surface of global finance, moving trillions of dollars from activities such as drug trafficking, tax evasion, bribery, and other unlawful ventures. This operation obscures the identities of those benefitting from these activities, facilitated by bankers, lawyers, and auditors who are compensated to overlook these actions. In *Secrecy World*, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Jake Bernstein delves into this shadow economy and its evolution, building upon millions of leaked documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, also known as the Panama Papers, alongside various other journalistic and governmental investigations. Bernstein reveals how shell corporations function, enabling the extremely wealthy and celebrities to evade taxes while simultaneously providing cover for illicit activities conducted by crime lords and corrupt officials across the globe.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/book-bits-25-november-2017/#more-9561" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/book-bits-25-november-2017/" title="6:51 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-25T06:51:53-05:00">November 25, 2017</time></a>
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<p>Technology stocks have witnessed a significant rally recently, outpacing the other sectors of US equities, according to various ETFs. The shift in leadership is clearly observable, as tech has taken on a dominant role away from financials <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/financials-still-lead-but-tech-is-heating-up/">since the end of last month.</a> Nearly a month later, this transition is complete, and it is undeniable which sector now leads in upside momentum among one-year performances.<br/><a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/tech-stock-momentum-accelerates/#more-9564" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a></p>
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By James Picerno | <a href="https://www.capitalspectator.com/tech-stock-momentum-accelerates/" title="8:39 am" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2017-11-24T08:39:46-05:00">November 24, 2017</time></a>
</footer><!-- .entry-meta -->The recent developments in the US economy, including strong GDP growth and positive trends across various sectors, highlight an impressive recovery and ongoing potential for growth. However, geopolitical tensions and challenges such as potential government shutdowns remind us that vigilance remains essential in navigating both investment opportunities and risks. Keeping an eye on shifts in market momentum and sector performances will be crucial for both investors and policymakers moving forward.
