Stocks fell from their all-time highs as investors took off some risk on the second-to-last trading day of a historic year for equities.

The economy in the Midwest improved in December for the second month in a row, but the region is still suffering from a trade war with China that’s hurt farmers and manufacturers.  The Chicago Purchasing Management Index rose to 49 this month from a revised 46.2 in November. The October reading was the weakest since the end of 2015.

The index of pending home sales increased 1.2% in November from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. In October, sales had fallen after two consecutive months of increases.  The index records transactions that have not yet closed but where a contract has been signed. As a result, the index serves as an indicator for existing-home sales reports in the coming months. Compared with November 2018, contract signings were up 7.4%.
 
Deschutes County outpaced the rest of the State of Oregon in job growth in 2019.  There are 90,000 jobs in the county a 5% increase over last year.
 
With Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management, I'm Tyler Simones.