January 23, 2020 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Tangents:

Rudolph Steiner created seven seals, which take their names from the sun, moon  and the five visible planets (Saturn, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus).  These seals correspond in their sequence to the days of the week: Saturn for Saturday, the Sun for Sunday, the Moon for Monday, Mercury for Tuesday, Mars for Wednesday, Jupiter for Thursday, and Venus for Friday.  This unfolding, metamorphosing sequence represents the evolutionary octave –  the seven great planetary conditions or states – through which the Earth and humanity must pass.  Steiner also adapted the Buddha’s Eightfold Path for everyday use.  The path was laid out by the Buddha as the way to free oneself from attachments and delusions.  Steiner recommends that every sincere seeker develop some form of daily meditation practice.  Periodically, take counsel with yourself, test your principals, weigh your duties, experience displeasure at your faults, strive harder toward the highest standards.

Monday: Moon.  Right Word,  Speak only seriously, meaningfully.  Never speak without a reason.  Practice listening.
Tuesday: Mars.  Right Deed.  Be aware of the consequences of your actions.  Make sure that no one is hurt by what you do.
Wednesday: Mercury. Right Livelihood.  Be centered.  Consider life as a means of inner work and act accordingly.
Thursday: Right Endeavor.  Know your limitations, but never leave undone what you can do.  Be of service to others.
Friday: Venus.  Right Memory.  Learn as much as possible from your own life and that of others.  Learn from your mistakes.  Try to learn from everyone, even little children.
Saturday: Saturn.  Right Conception.  Think only meaningful thoughts.  Learn to separate essential from inessential, truth from opinion.  When listening to others, withhold all judgement.
Sunday: Sun.  Right Resolve.  Think through everything you do, then hold steadfastly to your decision.

Summary: Right Meditation.  Periodically, take counsel with yourself, test your principals, weigh your duties, experience displeasure at your faults, strive harder toward the highest standards.

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

The sun setting across the Cambrian Mountains by lake Teifi(Llyn Teifi) as the cloud and mist move in with a chilly breeze.
CREDIT: IAN JONES/ALAMAY LIVE NEWS

Robert Burns actor Gareth Morrison poses under $400 Chinese Lanterns in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Burns&Beyond Festival, runs in Edinburgh from the 23-26^th January, and this year it coincides with the Chinese New Year. So the two festivals are joining forces for a very special programme of events across the city of Edinburgh including music and spoken word events.
CREDIT: JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

A rare exploding fireball stunned a photographer when it appeared in the night sky above him.

The spectacular phenomenon was seen heading due west over Bude, Cornwall around 11.20pm by Chris Small. Fireballs are pieces od asteroid or comet that hit the atmosphere at high speed and burn up.
CREDIT: CHRIS SMALL/APEX NEWS

Market Closes for January 23^rd, 2020 

International Markets

Bonds

Currencies

Commodities

Market Commentary:
In 1985 the New York Stock Exchange said it “recommends” that companies listed on the NYSE should publish annual financial statements and distribute them to shareholders.
Canada
By Bloomberg Automation
(Bloomberg) — The S&P/TSX Composite rose for the second day, climbing 0.1 percent, or 21.92 to 17,621.78 in Toronto. Canadian National Railway Co. contributed the most to the index gain, increasing 1.0 percent. Alamos Gold Inc. had the largest increase, rising 4.8 percent. Today, 103 of 234 shares rose, while 121 fell; 10 of 11 sectors were higher, led by financials stocks. Terminal users can read more in our markets live blog.

Insights
* So far this week, the index rose 0.4 percent
* This month, the index rose 3.3 percent
* The index advanced 16 percent in the past 52 weeks. The MSCI AC Americas Index gained 25 percent in the same period
* The S&P/TSX Composite is 0.3 percent below its 52-week high on Jan. 22, 2020 and 16.4 percent above its low on Jan. 23, 2019
* The S&P/TSX Composite is up 0.8 percent in the past 5 days and rose 2.9 percent in the past 30 days
* S&P/TSX Composite is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.9 on a trailing basis and 15.5 times estimated earnings of its members for the coming year
* The index’s dividend yield is 2.9 percent on a trailing 12-month basis
* S&P/TSX Composite’s members have a total market capitalization of C$2.71t
* 30-day price volatility fell to 3.67 percent compared with 3.69 percent in the previous session and the average of 4.66 percent over the past month
================================================================
|Index Points | |
Sector Name | Move | % Change | Adv/Dec
================================================================
Financials | 10.2154| 0.2| 12/15
Utilities | 4.9549| 0.6| 12/3
Industrials | 3.8814| 0.2| 8/22
Information Technology | 3.4693| 0.3| 6/4
Communication Services | 1.8303| 0.2| 3/4
Consumer Staples | 1.6004| 0.2| 7/3
Consumer Discretionary | 0.9523| 0.1| 6/10
Real Estate | 0.5967| 0.1| 15/9
Health Care | 0.3071| 0.1| 6/2
Energy | 0.0181| 0.0| 9/21
Materials | -5.9071| -0.3| 19/28

* The benchmark 10-year bond rose and the yield fell 3.5 basis points to 1.417 percent.

US
By Claire Ballentine
(Bloomberg) — U.S. stocks eked out a small advance, dodging the losses that took hold in Europe and Asia, as investors evaluated the risk that a deadly respiratory virus spreading from China could curb global growth. Treasuries climbed and oil dropped. Gains for big tech companies overshadowed losses for makers of consumer goods, providing just enough lift to send the Nasdaq Composite Index to a fresh record high. Other markets showed greater concern about the potential fallout, with oil sinking to its lowest level since November on speculation the virus could dent demand. Government bonds and the yen rallied as investors sought out havens. Earlier, China’s Shanghai Composite Index plunged 2.8% on the last trading day before the Lunar New Year holiday, the biggest drop in eight months, as traders considered the virus’s potential impact on travel and shopping. While corporate earnings have beaten analysts’ estimates this season amid signals that global growth is picking up, investors are cautious with stocks trading at lofty valuations.
Fewer than 20 deaths have been tallied from the Chinese virus, and the World Health Organization opted against calling the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. But traders are hesitant to take on risk on the chance the outbreak could develop into something like the much more devastating SARS respiratory illness that emerged in China 17 years ago. “There is concern that this may become a much bigger event,” said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist for Prudential Financial Inc. “The market is vulnerable to a pullback or a consolidation.” Elsewhere, emerging-market stocks fell to a  two-week low. Mining companies led the Stoxx Europe 600 Index lower. The euro weakened after policy makers held interest rates steady and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said officials will look into the potential side effects of negative interest rates.

Here are some events to watch out for this week:
* Companies including Intel Corp. and Procter & Gamble Co. will post results.
* Eurozone PMI data is due Friday.
* The World Economic Forum, the annual gathering of global leaders in politics, business and culture, continues in Davos, Switzerland.

These are the main moves in markets:
Stocks
* The S&P 500 Index rose 0.1% at the close of trade in New York; the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%.
* The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.7%.
* The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dipped 0.8%.
Currencies
* The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.1%.
* The euro fell 0.3% to $1.1055.
* The British pound fell 0.2% to $1.3121.
* The Japanese yen gained 0.3% to 109.49 per dollar.
Bonds
* The yield on 10-year Treasuries dipped four basis points to 1.73%.
* Germany’s 10-year yield fell five basis points to -0.31%.
* Britain’s 10-year yield decreased five basis points to 0.59%.
Commodities
* West Texas Intermediate crude decreased 2% to $55.59 a barrel.
* Gold rose 0.3% to $1,562.72 an ounce.
–With assistance from Gregor Stuart Hunter, Adam Haigh, Todd White and David Wilson.
Have a great night.

Be magnificent!

As ever,

Carolann

Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.
                                -Sigmund Freud, 1856-1939

Carolann Steinhoff, B.Sc., CFP®, CIM, CIWM
Senior Investment Advisor

Queensbury Securities Inc.,
St. Andrew’s Square,
Suite 340A, 730 View St.,
Victoria, B.C. V8W 3Y7

Tel: 778.430.5808
(C): 250.881.0801
Toll Free: 1.877.430.5895
Fax: 778.430.5828
www.carolannsteinhoff.com