People are dropping like flies, as this year & # 39; s flu shot has proven less effective as a variety of flu strains have circulated.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the first time in 13 years of monitoring the flu, the continental US has shown "widespread" flu activity.
The impact of this flu season could cost more than $ 9.4 billion in lost productivity, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Luckily, there & # 39; s a shining star waiting in the wings to soar ...
Do not Brush off This Shutdown
Nobody likes to make a budget and actually stick to it. Washington is certainly no different.
But agreed upon funds to keep the government & # 39; s the lights on run out at midnight tonight. While the House of Representatives pushed through a one-month stopgap measure on Thursday, the chances of it passing the Senate are looking pretty grim.
And even a brief shutdown could add uncertainty to the market.
Since 1976, there have been 18 government shutdowns, and only 44% of those saw the market close higher during that time frame.
On average, the market has fallen 0.6%.
I sure mind you & # 39; re sureing: "But you" re being silly. A 0.6% drop is tiny.
And you & # 39; re right. A 0.6% drop really is ... well, just a drop in the bucket. But let 's consider the market & # 39; s recent run.
That 's the longest stretch in the market & # 39; s history.
We & # 39; re facing an overstretched market, and it & # 39; s looking for an excuse to let off a little steam in the form of a pullback.
Under normal circumstances, a brief government shutdown would not have much of an impact. But we & # 39; re not trading under normal circumstances.
Washington turmoil could be used as an easy excuse to take some profits off the table, sending stocks sharply lower.
However, there is one standout this year that could easily weather a government shutdown and a stock market sell - off.
Gold Is the One Stronghold You Need
Gold has enjoyed a stellar rally. After putting in a short-term bottom on December 12 at $ 1,238.30, the yellow metal has rallied 7.7%.
Over the same time period, the S & P 500 Index has gained 5.1%
Gold is a favorite among investors during times of turmoil and uncertainty.
Load up on Gold Now
Gold has unexpectedly outperformed the broad market over the past month, and it 's likely to maintain that uptrend through a potential pullback in stocks.
You can leverage those golden gains through mining companies that are set to announce solid earnings on the strength in gold & # 39; s price.
