WTI crude fell below the psychologically important $50 t level Thursday for the first time in over a year but rebounded on news that Russia is warming to the idea of production cuts after watching prices fall >30% over the last two months. (LPL)

Today is the first trading day of December. That could be good news for equity bulls, as since 1950, the S&P 500 Index in the month of December has the highest average return (+1.6%) out of all 12 months. Also, it has never been the worst month of the year - it is the only month that can claim that rare distinction. (LPL)

Of all things to have to worry about. In January, Starbucks will introduce a content blocker that bans access to pornographic sites while using its free in-store Wi-Fi. (WP)

The Wall Street Journal reported a growing number of small and midsize mortgage firms are cutting staff, going up for sale, or closing down as evidence of the increasing pressure on the housing market amid rising interest rates. The decrease in nonbank mortgage lenders, which experts expect to continue, is contributing to concerns about the economy’s health, especially the slowing housing sector.

With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor I am Troy Reinhart.