Weekly Market Commentary 10/12/2018

Two storms buffeted the U.S. this week, leaving a huge amount of human suffering and investor angst in their wake. Residents of the Carolinas were still licking their wounds from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Florence last month as Hurricane Michael struck Florida with an even greater force this week. The stage 4 storm was winding its way up the Southeast as this is written, so the full extent of property damage and loss of life has yet to be measured. As was the case with Florence, Michael’s impact is also unfolding during the week that includes the 12th of the month, which is when the Labor Department conducts its employment surveys. So look for more distortions in this key economic report as well as other important indicators for October.