This being a holiday, we will be focused mainly on the ChartPack. But we do have a few goodies…  This is the day of remembering what we’re doing and what Life is all about. While it may sound a bit like Chairman Mao’s criticism-self-criticism, the modern student of management science will find many templates in … Read More

Simple enough: “NEW YORK, DECEMBER 31, 2024: S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) today released the October 2024 results for the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Indices. The leading measure of U.S. home prices recorded a 3.6% annual gain in October 2024, a slight deceleration from the previous annual gains in 2024. YEAR-OVER-YEAR The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller … Read More

Are your balls getting ready to drop?  My, all this time I thought that was earlier in life. But sneaking up on 76, things in the world do look a little bit, uh, different. Take the National Debt.  When Elaine was born in 1943, the National Debt was $142.6 billion.  By the time I came along … Read More

The Early Futures today were looking grim.  No surprise to that. The weekend news flow was dominated by: The death of former President Jimmy Carter: Former US President Jimmy Carter dead at the age of 100. A special note here: We have long-held that public figures (HWood types) should STFU and not engage is shallow, … Read More

I am, as you might have guessed, not your typical “cranky old man in the woods.”  Most old men in the woods don’t have a bunny for a honey, go shooting on their range regularly, surround themselves with wireless PTZ solar webcams, play at high speed Morse on the ham radio, or cobble up new … Read More

The long – and larger – cycles in economics is our focus today.  Sure, a few stories off the wires with our (occasionally) acerbic remark. But with the buzz of the presents wearing off, and perhaps still smarting a bit from our discussion of the economy’s “elevator to nowhere” problem (mythical growth versus inflation adjusted … Read More

Not quite the final column of the year, but 2024 is quickly heading down the drain.  A few economic highlights remain. Like the International Trade figures (hang on a sec.).  Then next week before the balls drop (ahem…) there’s the Dallas Fed numbers mid-morning Monday.  BYOND (bring your own NoDoz). You’ll need to save your strength for … Read More

Early today, the Futures were pricing in a good-sized decline.  Dow Futures at 7 AM Eastern were down about 170 and it looked like the S&P and NASDAQ were on similar pathing for four-tenths of a percent drops. Meanwhile, after hitting $106,490 Tuesday, Bitcoins had fallen to the mid $95,000’s. While the market continues to … Read More

Merry Christmas and happy Chanukah! There wasn’t going to be a column today, but the urge to write was running strong so here we are… We will pass on most (but not all) of the daily news flow.  Plus we still have the rest of the week to get through… And, above all, we are … Read More

Is there a point, at which, markets can rise no further? A point where the “money coming out” of markets can’t be replaced by the number of new converts to the Church of Greater Fools? For now, it’s an open speculation. But one’s consideration of the “good times” ought to be tempered with some economic … Read More

Before rolling out today’s Chicago Fed National Activity Indicator, a discussion with a colleague over the weekend is worth examining. Because, you see, he is recently retired, multiple degrees, a world traveler, and far more. “You really ought to write a book,” I told him.  Years ago, I’d sent him my Clube and Napier collection. … Read More

Reader Notes First:  Coal in the stockings?  Mega Millions jackpot surges to $944 million after no winner Friday – ABC News.  So, off to the gas-mart today for another “Lotteries are for people who can’t handle statistics” visit. Someone in the USN may have a very bad day with the report U.S. Navy Shoots Down … Read More

George announces plans to “play Santa” for one lucky subscriber this coming week. As we will be giving away a whole website with hosting. This would make the perfect gift for someone interested in the link between genetics and diet.  Why, done right, this could launch the lucky winner (who ideally would be “medically-minded”) into … Read More