Here Comes Santa! Posted by lplresearch As 2017 winds down, we still have one of the most well-known trading axioms left—“The Santa Claus Rally.” This is also known as the “December Effect,” first noted by Yale Hirsh in his Stock Trader’s Almanac in 1972. But here’s the catch: The Santa Claus Rally isn’t talking about the entire month of December as many think, it is only the last five trading days of the year and the first two trading days of the following year. In other words, this starts tomorrow! So, should you believe in Santa? Going back to 1950 on the S&P 500 Index, the Santa Claus Rally is the second strongest seven-day period of the year. Per Ryan Detrick, Senior Market Strategist, “The days during the Santa Claus Rally have gained 1.35% on average, with only one other seven-day period of the entire year sporting a better return. Not to be outdone, the 7 days of Santa have been higher 77.6% of the time, making it the 7 days of the year that are most likely to be higher. Are you a believer yet?” One other interesting note is that in the rare instance that the market gets a lump of coal instead of a Santa Claus Rally, that usually means there could be weakness in January. You can call it a potential indicator that something could be wrong. In fact, over the past 20 years, 5 have seen coal and sure enough, January was lower every single time.
Trump signs GOP tax plan and short-term government funding bill on his way out of town President Donald Trump signed the GOP tax bill in law on Friday, capping off a months-long effort to pass the legislation through the Republican-controlled Congress. Trump also signed an emergency funding bill to keep the federal government open through January 19. The sweeping tax cuts represent the greatest legislative achievement of Trump's first year in office.
Rate Taxable Income Bracket 10% 0 to $9,525 12% $9,525 to $38,700 22% $38,700 to $82,500 24% $82,500 to $157,500 32% $157,500 to $200,000 35% $200,000 to $500,000 37% $500,000 and up Here are the rates for married couples who file jointly. Rate Taxable Income Bracket 10% 0 to $19,050 12% $19,050 to $77,400 22% $77,400 to $165,000 24% $165,000 to $315,000 32% $315,000 to $400,000 35% $400,000 to $600,000 37% $600,000 and up Finally, here are the rates for heads of household. Rate Taxable Income Bracket 10% 0 to $13,600 12% $13,600 to $51,800 22% $51,800 to $82,500 24% $82,500 to $157,500 32% $157,500 to $200,000 35% $200,000 to $500,000 37% $500,000 and up For comparison, here would be the 2018 brackets under the current tax law, adjusted for inflation. Rate Single Married Filing Jointly Head of Household 10% 0 to $9,525 0 to $19,050 0 to $13,600 15% $9,525 to $38,700 $19,050 to $77,400 $13,600 to $51,850 25% $38,700 to $93,700 $77,400 to $156,150 $51,850 to $133,850 28% $93,700 to $195,450 $156,150 to $237,950 $133,850 to $216,700 33% $195,450 to $424,950 $237,950 to $424,950 $216,700 to $424,950 35% $424,950 to $426,700 $424,950 to $480,050 $424,950 to $453,350 39.60% $426,700 and up $480,050 and up $453,350 and up
yea just noticed that too ... maybe santa? since this is the final trading day until Xmas and also the first official day of the SCR wouldn't surprise me if we see some more shenanigans like that as we're in the pre-holiday session
Not much going on, I guess people are ready for Christmas and some people might not trade again until 2018 Energy is having another pretty decent day
only 4 more trading days left to go in 2017 if anyone has to cut out early or won't be checking in or trading again until 2018 i hope you have a safe and happy holidays w/ your families & friends and we will see you in the new year!
I will probably begin to start some positions for 2018 next week, probably not much short term trading rest of the year though
