Trade impact clearly evident. The official Chinese Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for Dec of 49.4 is nearing the 2011 and 2016 lows at 49.0. Meanwhile, the broader Caixin Manufacturing PMI measure came in at 49.7, its first sub-50 reading since 2016, with particular weakness in new export orders. Export weakness, coupled with anecdotal evidence of slower growth in China from corporate America (see Apple news), highlight the impact of the U.S.-China trade dispute. We continue to expect the dispute to be resolved over the next several months. (LPL)
 
Nordstrom co-president Blake Nordstrom died of cancer at age 58. (CNBC)
 
Manufacturing in the United States, grew but at a slower pace, in December, according to the ISM Manufacturing index. It slowed to a level not seen since November 2016. The index was pushed lower as new orders fell 10 percentage points.
 
It's Girl Scout cookie season, and the green-sashed entrepreneurial saleswomen have a new cookie. It is Caramel Chocolate Chip. (USA Today) 
 
With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor I am Troy Reinhart.