Rising tension in world politics after North Korea just launched its sixth and largest nuclear test, is weighing on stocks and giving bonds a boost to start the short trading week.  September already has a poor track record with stocks. On average, the S&P will lose 0.5% of its value, 60% of the time.

It has been awhile since we talked about anything relating to the Fed.  Last time they were even brought up, it was a given that the FOMC would raise rates 0.25% in September and again in December.  They meet this month on the 20th and the current likelihood of a hike is near 0%.  Below-target inflation levels just don’t justify the action.

One area of continued price appreciation however, is in home values.  CoreLogic’s Home Price Index, released this morning, shows values coming up 6.7% from this time last year.  It’s still a good time to be in the real estate business.