Stocks Mixed Ahead of Election

Bring Joy this Holiday Season with McKnight Advisory Group and CASA Rutherford County

This holiday season, McKnight Advisory Group proudly partners with CASA Rutherford County to uplift children in foster care. CASA’s dedicated volunteers advocate for these children, helping them find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.

How You Can Help:

Contribute to our Toy Drive by donating a new, unwrapped toy (valued at $20 or more) or a $25 gift card from Walmart or Target. Your donation will bring comfort and joy to children in need, letting them know their community cares.

Key Details:

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

Together, let’s brighten a child’s holiday and make this season memorable for those who need it most.

Stocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty slowed market momentum.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.96 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.16 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.68 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 2.30 percent.^1,2

Nasdaq Leads

Stocks were mixed for the first half of the week as investors geared up for a steady stream of Q3 reports. The 10-year Treasury yield continued to trend higher, which caught the attention of some traders.

Markets fell Wednesday morning with news that existing home sales fell to a 14-year low in October; still slowed by higher interest rates, sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. Also, pre-election jitters remained an undertow with traders.^3,4,5

News that durable goods orders rose in September buoyed sentiment a bit. At Friday’s close, the Nasdaq, fueled by technology names, marked its seventh consecutive week of gains but the S&P 500 broke its 6-week winning streak.^6,7

^{Article from gsam.com: Winners Keep Winning}

“Keep your thoughts free from hate, and you need have no fear from those who hate you.”

– George Washington Carver

Saffron and Honey-Spiced Rice with Roasted Lamb

Ingredients

• Lamb Marinade:

  • 1 lb lamb shoulder or leg, cut into chunks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs

• Saffron-Spiced Rice:

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp saffron threads, soaked in 2 tbsp warm water
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee

• Modern Garnishes:

  • Fresh pomegranate seeds
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Edible flowers (such as violets or pansies)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Lamb:

   • In a large bowl, mix olive oil, honey, cinnamon, cloves, salt, pepper, cumin, and lemon juice.
   • Toss the lamb chunks in the marinade and add rosemary sprigs, letting them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor).

2. Cook the Lamb:

   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Place the lamb pieces on a baking tray and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the lamb is tender and caramelized.

3. Prepare the Saffron Rice:

   • In a saucepan, heat olive oil or ghee over medium heat. Add the rice and stir until the grains are lightly toasted.
   • Pour in the water, add the saffron and its soaking water, and season with salt.
   • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and gently stir in the golden raisins and toasted almonds.

4. Assemble and Garnish:

   • Arrange the saffron rice on a serving platter, placing the roasted lamb on top.
   • Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, fresh mint leaves, and edible flowers for a beautiful, colorful presentation.

The Disappearing Children of Hollow Creek

On foggy nights, Hollow Creek takes on an eerie stillness that seems to call to the town’s youngest. Over the years, several children have gone missing, only to be found later by the creek, barefoot and dazed, with no memory of how they arrived there. They all recall a voice—gentle and inviting—whispering their names, sometimes promising a gift or comfort.

The story of Emma Graves lingers in local lore. One Halloween night, she vanished from her bed, later found standing by the water, her nightgown soaked and clutching a wildflower. Emma claimed a “kind lady” had called to her, floating above the ground and promising her a new doll.

Locals fear the spirit might be that of Sarah Belle, the accused witch, still reaching out from beyond. Now, every Halloween, parents place lanterns along the paths to the creek, hoping to break the spell of the hollow’s ghostly call and keep their children safe.

Is Your Office in a Historic Building? You May Be Eligible for a Tax Credit

To protect heritage sites and other history, the IRS implemented its rehabilitation tax credit, which offers an incentive to renovate and restore old or historic buildings. Here are some of the highlights to help you determine whether your building is eligible:

• The credit may pay 20 percent of the qualifying costs of rehabilitating a historic building.
• This 20 percent needs to be spread out over five years.
• The credit doesn’t apply to the purchase of the building.
• Taxpayers use Form 3468, Investment Credit, to claim the rehabilitation tax credit.

Although this credit might not significantly improve many situations, it’s still a step toward preserving our country's history.

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

Tip adapted fromIRS⁹

Neck and Shoulder Stretches for Desk Potatoes

Many of us sit at a desk for hours a day and stare at a screen. These easy desk stretches can help:

• Overhead side stretch: Put your arms over your head and lean in one direction while sitting up straight. Repeat on the other side. 
• Side-neck stretch: Gently put your hand on the back of your head and guide it to your chest. Then, instead of putting your head straight down, turn it slightly by looking at your thigh.  
• Neck-roll stretch: Relax and lean your head forward. Slowly roll your head to one side and hold for about 10 to 20 seconds, then slowly roll it to the other side. 
• Upper-trap stretch: Gently pull your head toward each shoulder. Hold on each side for 10 to 20 seconds.

Tip adapted fromHealthline¹⁰

How many times can you subtract the number 75 from 7,500?

Last week’s riddle:How could Gail drive her car from Cleveland to Miami with a flat tire?
Answer:Her spare tire was flat, not any of the four tires she was driving on.

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching among of icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord

Unesco World Heritage Site, Greenland

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 25, 2024}

^{3. MarketWatch.com, October 23, 2024}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2024}

^{6. ABA Banking Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{7. CNBC.com, October 25, 2024}

^{8. The Wall Street Journal, October 25, 2024}

^{9. IRS.gov, April 30, 2024}

^{10. Healthline, July 24, 2024}