News

The global economy is on the verge of collapse in coming weeks. Before we get into “How grim is it?”  We need to roll out one of the major numbers that will drive future:  Retail Sales.  Just out: Also out some imported energy data from Labor: “Prices for U.S. imports increased 0.4 percent in September following … Read More

Breaking:  PPI and Jobs Producer Prices report first:> “The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.5 percent in September, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices moved up 0.7 percent in August and 1.0 percent in July. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index … Read More

A series of thought-experiments to ponder.  Which may be useful, given this morning’s release of CPI data which we will get to right away. We’re actually in a Depression right now.  But it’s being effectively papered-over.  We see through the fog of collapse by looking at some units sold figures. Also today:  Ways to extend … Read More

We’ll “set the table” today with a report just out from the National Federation of Independent Business which issues a monthly “Small Business Optimism Index.” Well, except it’s not too optimistic just now:  Here’s the top of the press release. “WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 12, 2021) — The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index decreased one point in September to … Read More

We should deal with the Fall Fizzle, first. As I explained for Peoplenomics subscribers in a lot of depth this weekend, the “good news” is that Taiwan’s reunification is now looking like September 2022. For this morning, our Market view is we may get one more leg higher this week, since only the very lowest of our … Read More

No report on my whiz-bang installation of tile in the kitchen this weekend.  Because other events overwhelmed “The Plan.” That’s OK, though.  Gives me a chance to talk about Project Planning.  Which is a seriously important aspect of Life in the Shop. Steps  and Pitfalls Given that most Home Shop Projects involve usually four operations (measure, … Read More

A number of people have asked me to lay out this “Lunch Money Trading System” I keep talking about. So in answer, here’s the whole thing. Of course we disavow any use you might make of this. And, please don’t ask one of our subscribers how it works. The more people that use a trading … Read More

Amazing morning!  The glow from yesterday’s gains has led me to roughing out a short course in “lunch money trading” which I’ll lay out for Peoplenomics subscribers tomorrow. Sure, I was planning to take some “time off trading” but when there’s a few hundred just sitting there,, I can’t resist.  What can I say? Going into … Read More

There’s a ton going on around here.  So we’ll skip some of the “folksy” and try to remain on point… Jobs:  Who’s Left to Fire? The news out on the Jobs front is predictably good.  Not only have millions run out of unemployment comp claiming rights, but there’s also not many people left to fire.  … Read More

Wherein we look at “marginal rates of return on additional effort.”  Which, with containerships backing up off of Los Angeles is a rather vexing problem for industry. You see, there’s an assumption in marketing that….wait! We need to roll a few headlines and do the ChartPack.  Then I can huff-up on the white-board marker and … Read More

Welcome to what (in our whack-job) work should be a “turnaround Tuesday.”  In fact, we’ll be jumping for joy if our daily target level comes in.  Say, oh,  up 25 on the S&P by early afternoon?  Sooner is fine, of course. Like around 11:30 AM Central when Europe’s closing for the day, maybe. A ton to … Read More

Usability Note: If you see a strange symbol at the start of this morning’s post, I’ve installed a “voting system” to let you voice easy Likes or Dislikes of our reports.  If it gets too negative, we will abandon it (UrbanSurvival is a digital dictatorship).  But feedback is useful. Who’s at the Wheel? Commies first:  … Read More

Comes now the time of year when “Winter Readiness” is on the agenda.  Along with some of the best “working weather” of the year, most places. “What’s Working Weather?” This is an old home-building and firehouse term.  Because firefighters, many times, have real hands-on hobbies and side hustles.  Like building some of the best new construction … Read More