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42 | I NSIGH T • J u n e 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m T his past winter in Wisconsin and across the nation was brutal and never-ending. ere were weeks of subzero temperatures and snowfall in places where it usually doesn't snow. During times like these, everything moves a little slower, including economic activity. Recent economic reports show that although some parts of the economy did well, many others missed expectations. Aer two quarters of good numbers in 2014, economic growth slowed from 2.2 percent to 0.2 percent in 2015. e winter weather certainly holds some of the blame, but summer is here and other factors are at play. For example, declining oil prices have forced energy-dependent states to cut jobs. Texas and Oklahoma were hit the hardest with layoffs even though overall, the unemployment rate for the U.S. has fallen. Despite weakening economic growth, John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, says the job market has shown "good momentum." e U.S. created 223,000 jobs in April and unemployment is down to 5.4 percent. Hopefully, this momentum will carry through the rest of the year. clearTREND research produced by our firm in Appleton indicates upward trends in most U.S. stocks despite weakness in small-cap stocks and real estate. Our U.S. Economic Health Index shows that 70 percent of U.S. sectors are expanding while 17 percent are contracting. "It's especially important to watch for good economic news," says Alexander Hunt, advisor to Private Clients and Retirement Plans. "e Federal Reserve is looking for opportunities to raise rates this year and good news moves us closer to that goal." KEY: = uptrend = downtrend Ticker = trading symbol (individual securities only) Trend Began = date on which current trend was identified Confidence = clearTREND's historic success rate in generating capital gains based on accurate trend identification clearTREND U.S. Economic Health Index: trending i n fo c u s Winter weather blames for economy's weak pace Cold snap This index measures more than 130 unique U.S. market sectors to determine how many are expanding, stable or contracting. More than 50 percent of expanding sectors are healthy, while less than 50 percent are not. 70% Expanding: 70% Neutral: 13% Contracting: 17% Poor Fair Good Excellent Data as of 5/8/2015 Sector Focus: Sustainability / Energy Description Ticker Trend Began Confidence BP p.l.c. BP 2/18/15 76.87% Chevron Corporation CVX 5/4/15 78.16% ConocoPhillips Co COP 4/30/15 81.66% Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM 3/3/15 80.30% Kinder Morgan Inc. KMI 4/6/15 89.13% PetroChina Company Limited PTR 4/16/15 79.26% Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A 5/8/15 81.82% Schlumberger Limited SLB 3/16/15 79.26%% Tourism / Resorts Description Ticker Trend Began Confidence Caesars Entertainment Corporation CZR 4/20/15 81.48% EP Energy Corporation EPE 4/21/15 77.78% Las Vegas Sands Corp. LVS 5/7/15 77.94% MGM Resorts International MGM 4/6/15 76.66% Orbitz Worldwide Inc. OWW 12/8/14 77.61% Sabre Corporation SABR 11/7/14 99.00% The Priceline Group Inc. PCLN 3/4/15 70.78% Wynn Resorts Limited WYNN 4/27/15 78.21%