Given all the bounce in pricing lately, we found this morning’s Retail Sales report interesting: “Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for July 2025, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $726.3 billion, up 0.5 percent (±0.4 percent) from the previous month, and up … Read More
With our ChartPack on the Peoplenomics side of the house ($40/year) showing the market back in “top-calling” territory, a number of moving pieces are sliding into place. PPI – Inflation to Come? Just out from Labor is the PPI read… The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.9 percent in July, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. … Read More
A marvelous tale of invention today as we unveil my Food Reactors. But, at the same time, there’s a serious cautionary note to it all because high-level systemic innovation is disruptive. And Powers-That-Are don’t like regimen change. Not even a little bit. Not if it’s good for the world, good for the environment, or anything … Read More
Data first: Consumer Prices “he Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July, after rising 0.3 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for … Read More
It’s the time of year that news directors, editors, and the ad sales staff hate. There’s not much moving. People have stopped the spring-into-summer “OMG did you see where?” kind of buzz. Seattle was no different than other big cities. We called it the post Hydro letdown. With only a Putin-Trump meeting looking (even remotely) interesting, I … Read More
(Ok, maybe the better title would have been…) Low Vision, High Precision: Shop Tips for Aging Eyes and Laser Minds Aging doesn’t stop real makers. It just means we upgrade the tools, not give up the game. Maybe we get more serious about counting fingers both before and after using a power saw…yeah… Let’s take aim … Read More
A tip from my consigliere has us asking hard questions about inflation, again. We’re at the top of a 1929-like financial peak. But, how long could inflation – and a changing financial landscape, keep us in the saddle? That and today’s ChartPack. Oh, and don’t miss the upcoming Tuesday edition. because in that one, we … Read More
For a people once victims of genocide themselves, Israel is disappointing. So are the decisions lately of “Fearless Leader” with regard to the Middle East. The simple version of the story: Israel plans to retake Gaza City, escalating the war with Hamas | AP News No, I do not support Palestinians and their struggle. Near … Read More
2-cups worth today. This first part is easy. Pick up press release and read. Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 2.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 3.7 percent and hours worked increased 1.3 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are … Read More
Peoplenomics does a deep dive into a radically simple question: What if the U.S. economy was managed like a modern solar power system instead of a Wall Street casino? Using real-world insights from upgrading our grid-interactive MPPT solar arrays, we map out a smarter way to measure national output—and manage it. One that ditches the … Read More
International Trade data has just dropped. After I tell you this is a “rear view mirror” stat and the Trade Salad is still being tossed. Here’s the view: Exports, Imports, and Balance June exports were $277.3 billion, $1.3 billion less than May exports. June imports were $337.5 billion, $12.8 billion less than May imports. The … Read More
Not to begin the week with a bummer, but one of my key sources pinged last night. Something to the effect “all eyes on Ukraine.” I turned the Ai deep readers loose and here’s what came back: Current Status of the Alleged Ochakiv Raid 1. Multiple Russian-Aligned Outlets Claim Detention of UK PersonnelSerbian news site … Read More
Computers, AI, Power Tools, and the Collapse of Consciousness ShopTalk columns are generally about power tools. But this week? MY power tools: Computers, AI, hopelessly high caffeine levels, and an ability to suck down sugars and their EtOH kin in frankly quite remarkable portions. OK, and it’s about software, too. But don’t be fooled. This … Read More