U.S. stocks extended gains yesterday, with the Nasdaq on track to exit bear market territory, after President Donald Trump said he may let a China trade-deal deadline “slide” if the two sides were making enough progress in their meeting this week in Beijing.

The cost of consumer goods and services were unchanged in January largely thanks to falling gas prices, another sign inflation poses little threat to the economy right now.  The government said that the consumer price index was flat last month.  What’s more, the increase in the cost of living over the past 12 months slowed to 1.6% from 1.9%.  Waning inflation has persuaded the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates for the time being amid fresh worries about the economy’s future.

The U.S. national debt topped a record $22 trillion this week, less than a year after it crossed the $21 trillion mark, indicating a further deterioration in the nation’s finances.  The Peterson Foundation said the U.S. national debt has risen by $1 trillion in the past 11 months, calling it “the latest sign that our fiscal situation is not only unsustainable, but accelerating.”

The Wilsonville-based Flir Systems is moving aggressively into robotic military equipment, paying $385 million for Endeavor Robotic Holdings.  Monday’s deal follows Flir’s purchase last month of  aerial drone company Aeryon Labs for $200 million.  Flir, best known for night-vision equipment, enjoyed booming sales early this century as the United States fought wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. As the wars ebbed, though, military spending declined and Flir sought to find civilian applications for its technology.
 
With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, I'm Tyler Simones