Anyone tempted to follow the investor adage of “sell in May and go away” should reconsider in 2016. Liz Ann Sonders and her team at Schwab examine the market forces that make this a risky strategy this year. After declining for the previous three months, the Leading Economic Index increased in March.  Ataman Ozyildirim of the Conference Board discusses what that could mean for the remainder of 2016. If you’ll turn 66 on or before May 1st, very little time remains to take advantage of the lucrative “file-and-suspend” strategy for Social Security. Kevin McCormally offers the details for Kiplinger.

Sign O’ The Times: Sell In May And Go Away?- We are in that “season” when you will hear a lot about whether it’s appropriate this year to “sell in May and go away,” which is one of the most time-honored market adages, and for good reason. Since 1950, nearly all of the S&P 500’s gains have occurred between October and April.  Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Officer at Schwab, reviews the history of this pattern and draws some conclusions about today’s market. Read more…

The Leading Economic Index (LEI) Increases In March–  “With the March gain, the LEI’s six-month growth rate improved slightly but still points to slow, although not slowing, growth in the coming quarters,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Director of Business Cycles and Growth Research at The Conference Board. “Rebounding stock prices were offset by a decline in housing permits, but nonetheless there were widespread gains among the leading indicators. Financial conditions, as well as expected improvements in manufacturing, should support a modest growth environment in 2016.”  Read more…

Time Running Out On Popular File-And-Suspend Social Security Claiming Strategy– One of the most lucrative Social Security strategies ever invented for married couples will soon join the dodo bird in extinction. As of April 30, the government will no longer permit one spouse to file for and immediately suspend benefits in order to open the door for the other spouse to claim spousal benefits.  There is still a very brief period for you to take advantage of the policy. Read more…

We hope you enjoy reading these articles along with us and that you find them informative.  Please forward this to your friends and family.

Best Regards,

John R. Day, Bill Ennis, Stephanie Davidson and Matt Heller

Disclosure – The articles mentioned in Mid Week with Day & Ennis are for information and educational purposes only. They represent a sample of the numerous articles that the firm reads each week to stay current on financial and economic topics. The articles are linked to websites separate from the Day & Ennis website. The opinions expressed in these articles are the opinions of the author and not Day & Ennis. This is not an offer to buy or sell any security. Day & Ennis is under no obligation to update any of the information in these articles. We cannot attest to the accuracy of the data in the articles.