First Quarter was solid, but head-spinning
The first quarter of 2018 was headspinning. Against a backdrop of solid economic data, improving corporate profits, decreasing regulation and a huge tax cut, the stock market rallied to record highs by late January.
Column by Jim Flinchum, Inside Business, Hampton Roads, 4/09/2018

Economy strong despite shakiness in some sectors
As the year began, all the economic data points were good. We were experiencing a synchronized global economic recovery and the U.S. stock market was continuing its relentless climb.
Column by Jim Flinchum, Inside Business, Hampton Roads, 7/16/2018