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Holiday Ginger Cookies Recipe

  Ingredients: - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour - 2 tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp baking soda - 1 tsp ground cinnamon - 1/2 tsp ground cloves - 1/4 tsp salt - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 tbsp water - 1/4 cup molasses - 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar for rolling Instructions: 1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. 3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, water, and molasses, and beat until well combined. 4. Mix Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. 5. Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Roll each ball in the additional granulated sugar to coat. 6. Bake: Place the...

S&P 500 Hits 15th Record High in 2024 Amid Tech Surge

                             S&P 500

The S&P 500 continues its remarkable ascent, notching its 15th record high this year. The stock market’s relentless momentum is fueled by a renewed rally in technology companies, with investors eagerly dissecting the latest remarks from Federal Reserve speakers for clues on the interest-rate trajectory.

Key Highlights:

  1. S&P 500 Milestone: The benchmark index surged past the 5,100 mark, solidifying its position as a top performer in 2024.

  2. Tech Titans Lead the Charge:

    • Nvidia Corp. emerged as a standout, driving gains in megacap stocks.
    • Dell Technologies Inc. soared an impressive 32% on the back of robust sales.
  3. Interest Rate Expectations:

    • Traders remain optimistic about potential rate cuts, betting that policymakers may act as early as June.
    • Fed Governor Christopher Waller hinted at a shift in the central bank’s holdings toward a larger share of short-term Treasuries.
  4. Market Resilience:

    • Despite weak economic data, the market’s resilience prevails.
    • Market bulls swiftly buy any momentary dips, sustaining the upward trajectory.
    • Chief Investment Researcher Mark Hackett notes that both technicals and fundamentals support the rally, but elevated valuations and universal optimism warrant caution.
  5. Sector Spotlight:

    • The Nasdaq 100 surged nearly 1.5%, driven by chipmakers.
    • Boeing Co. is in talks to acquire Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc..
  6. Earnings Season Triumph:

    • Fourth-quarter earnings have been stellar, with growth nearly 8%—far surpassing expectations.
    • Approximately 76% of S&P 500 firms surprised to the upside, prompting Wall Street to confidently embrace equities.
  7. AI Frenzy and Bullish Forecasts:

    • Wall Street strategists are racing to keep up with the stock market rally fueled by artificial intelligence.
    • Five major firms have already raised their S&P 500 forecasts for 2024.
    • The index’s strong start—up over 7%—follows a remarkable 24% gain in 2023.
  8. Historical Perspective:

    • The S&P 500’s consecutive monthly gains signal a promising year ahead.
    • Since 1950, when the index finished higher in both January and February, full-year returns averaged 19.8%—with positive outcomes in 27 out of 28 instances.

In summary, the S&P 500’s relentless climb underscores the market’s unwavering optimism, even as it navigates macroeconomic uncertainties. As technology continues to drive gains, investors eagerly await further developments in monetary policy and corporate performance.


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