WealthProtect Status Update June 2018

This is the monthly WealthProtect System* status update and includes the probability (Low, Mid, High) of a change in status within the next two months.

##System Commentary There were no triggering events this month, although developed foreign equities came really close as they weakened substantially. On the flip side, mall cap equities were particularly strong this past month.

##Market Commentary

Markets continue their consolidation pattern, but in the past few weeks the bias has been to the upside. Economic numbers have been fairly robust as of late, providing confidence that a recession is not around the corner. The Atlanta Federal Reserve, for example, as of 6/14 is estimating second quarter Gross Domestic Product to come in at 4.8%. In addition, the Federal Reserve raised short term rates again. This provides better yields for savers, but higher costs for new borrowers. Finally, the higher inflation we are seeing bears watching, but may have a silver lining: this October's Social Security increase may be the highest in several years.