Mixed Data Leaves Investors Anxious

Support CASA Rutherford County with McKnight Advisory Group

This holiday season, McKnight Advisory Group is partnering with CASA Rutherford County to support children in foster care. CASA’s volunteers advocate for children in court and work to secure safe, permanent homes for them.

Join our Toy Drive by donating a new, unwrapped toy ($20+) or a $25 gift card from Walmart or Target. Your gift will bring joy and comfort to these children during the holidays.

Details:

• Deadline: December 2, 2024
• Drop-off: McKnight Advisory Group, 1800 S. Rutherford Blvd., Suite 202, Murfreesboro

Help brighten a child’s holiday and show them their community cares.

On October 15, 1951, "I Love Lucy" premiered on CBS. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the sitcom followed the comedic antics of Lucy Ricardo and her efforts to break into show business. The show was groundbreaking, introducing the multi-camera technique, pioneering reruns, and showcasing one of the first examples of Latin representation in mainstream media through Arnaz's role. "I Love Lucy" became a massive success, leaving a lasting legacy in television with its innovative production and timeless humor.

Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.21 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.23 percent.^1,2

Up And Down Week

Stocks slipped on Monday as oil continued to rise but moved higher on Tuesday as the technology sector showed the way. Oil prices fell back as investors took a wait-and-see stance concerning Middle East tensions.³

The S&P 500 and Dow Industrials hit fresh record highs on Wednesday but dipped Thursday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation was warmer than expected.^4,5

Earnings season kicked off Friday, and update reports from a few money center banks injected some enthusiasm into markets. Also, the Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed wholesale prices stayed flat last month, a welcomed update for investors. All three averages closed higher for the fifth consecutive week.⁶

^{Article from www.gsam.com : The Path(s) Forward}

“Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.”

–Colin Powell

Modern Spiced Pear Tart

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe pears (Bosc or Bartlett work well)
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken the juices)
• 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought, thawed)
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the ovento 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the pears: Peel, core, and slice the pears thinly. Toss them in a bowl with honey (or maple syrup), cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon juice, and cornstarch until the pears are evenly coated.
3. Roll out the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to fit a tart pan or form it into a freeform tart on a baking sheet.
4. Arrange the pears: Lay the spiced pears in an overlapping pattern on the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border if freeform.
5. Fold and bake: If using a freeform tart, fold the edges of the pastry up around the pears. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the pears are tender.
6. Optional garnish: For a more authentic touch, sprinkle slivered almonds on top in the last 5 minutes of baking.
7. Cool and serve: Let the tart cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of extra honey.

Tennessee’s Forgotten Witch

In the 19th-century village of Middle Tennessee, the legend of the Hollow Springs Witch unfolds with Agatha Harper at its center. A renowned healer, Agatha fell victim to wrongful accusations of witchcraft when a devastating drought struck the village. Fearing her perceived powers, the villagers set fire to her cabin, and as Agatha lay dying, she uttered a curse that would plague Hollow Springs for generations. After her passing, the village was plagued by eerie occurrences—unexplained disappearances, ghostly whispers shrouded in mist, and the emergence of accursed springs—ultimately leading to the abandonment of the once-thriving town. This cautionary tale is a timeless reminder of the destructive power of fear and superstition and the enduring consequences of unjust actions.

Passport Power

Did you know that the IRS can revoke your passport if you owe the Internal Revenue Service $62,000 or more? That's right; the IRS can revoke the passports of any taxpayer owing $62,000 or more, including penalties and interest.

Notably, if you’re currently paying off the debt or are contesting a tax bill in court, you should not be affected. However, anyone under an IRS tax lien could find their ability to travel hampered.

Contact a qualified attorney or tax specialist with questions about tax debts or other complex tax issues.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted fromIRS⁹

Eat The Rainbow, Reap The Rainbow

Every food has health benefits, and colors can help you determine which health benefits you enjoy. Here’s a quick summary of some of the benefits associated with these colored foods:

• Red foods contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce cancer risk and keep our hearts healthy.
• Orange/yellow foods contain lots of carotenoids, which help maintain healthy mucous membranes and eyes/vision (possibly preventing cataracts and blindness).
• Green foods contain various compounds that have anti-cancer properties. They’re also an excellent source of folate.
• Blue and purple foods contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which can help protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
• White foods are known for their antiviral and antibacterial properties, and some (like bananas) are a good source of potassium.

Tip adapted fromhealthline.com¹⁰

If six pheasants are in a stand of cattails, and a hunter shoots one of them, how many will remain amid the cattails?

Last week’s riddle: I have rough skin and sometimes more than two eyes, but I can be tasty when prepared plainly and simply. Just what am I? Answer: A potato.

Bald Eagles Prepare Nest - Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Kenansville, Florida, United States

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 11, 2024}

^{3. CNBC.com, October 8, 2024}

^{4. MarketWatch.com, October 9, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{6. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{7. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{8. MarketWatch.com, October 11, 2024}

^{9. IRS.gov, June 12, 2024}

^{10. healthline.com, July 24, 2024}