Headlines discused at LNWM’s Monday morning briefing:

— Estimated 1st qtr. 2019 earnings growth for the S&P 500 fell to 0.7% (from 3.5% in early Jan.), as benefits of tax cuts recede.
— January marked 100 straight months of US job gains (a record), but weaker wage growth and a slight rise in unemployment.
— China vowed to buy more US goods and do more on intellectual property, with 1 month left for talks before new US tariffs kick in.
— US crude oil prices rose 2.7% in a day, as US sanctions kept Venezuelan oil exports at port and indications of solid US demand.
— US stocks had their best monthly performance since 2015, with the S&P 500 up more than 7% in January.

Disclaimer: Clicking on any of the above links will take you away from the Laird Norton Wealth Management web page and to the source page. While we believe the information in these articles is relevant, we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness.