The urbane survivor is not concerned with the Jt. email follies, nor on playing the side bets as to whether a do-nothing, all-talk congress will actually reform and get something done.
Rather, there is in the news a flow of thought about money – how to get, how to manage, and how to spend it. But it’s not the eyeball-grabber that Collapsing News Networks are desperately stalking in order to save their own financial bacon.
Instead, more thoughtful media are getting back to the matter of money, without which, what’s the point. The UK Guardian, for example, is looking at one of the biggest personal financial questions out there: “Is paying off the mortgage a better bet than saving?”
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It becomes a more interesting crap shoot when we dial in inflationary expectations.
Her Janetness this week announced that future rate hikes are out there somewhere up ahead for the US. But when exactly will depend on a smorgasbord of caveats as long as your arm.
Over in Ure-Up, we see how there ECB is moving as Reuters report an “Exclusive: ECB wary of putting end-date on quantitative easing – sources.”
Belgium’s waffles, perhaps?
All this as the world’s globalists are transitioning people to the corporate feudalism model. Herein, you don’t own (language alert!) jack shit. You RENT your life. Latest example: Sprint launches new leasing options for cost-conscious consumers.
So poor you gotta lease your phone? Holy smokes…
CPI: Saved by Actual Data
After what’s been a pretty good week for investors stacking cash, our little long position in the market has paid off handsomely. Although we are traveling, our market update tomorrow will be celebratory in nature, barring a collapse in the final hours of today’s trading.
BTW. speaking of autos: “Fiat Chrysler recalls 1.33 million vehicles over fire, air bag risks” while “Honda recalls 1.2M Accords over battery fires.” Undeterred, “Global automakers call on China to ease “impossible” electric car rules.”
Where, the major news items are Retail Sales and the Consumer Price Index.
Let’s get the latter out of the way first. Press release, pardon moi?
“The energy index declined again in June, falling 1.6 percent; this offset an increase in the index for all items less food and energy. All the major energy component indexes declined, with the gasoline index falling 2.8 percent. The food index was unchanged in June, with the index for food at home declining slightly as five of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in June, its third straight such increase. The shelter index continued to rise, and the indexes for medical care, motor vehicle insurance, education, and personal care also increased. The indexes for airline fares, used cars and trucks, wireless telephone services, and new vehicles were among the indexes that declined in June.
The all items index rose 1.6 percent for the 12 months ending June; this measure has been declining steadily since February, when it was 2.7 percent. The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.7 percent for the 12 months ending June, the same increase as for the 12 months ending May. The energy index rose 2.3 percent over the last year, while the food index increased 0.9 percent.”
Then on Retail Sales, let’s see how the once-bankrupt auto industry we bailed out is still keeping retail hopes alive…
“Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for June 2017, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $473.5 billion, a decrease of 0.2 percent (± 0.5 percent)* from the previous month, and 2.8 percent (± 0.9 percent) above June 2016. Total sales for the April 2017 through June 2017 period were up 3.8 percent (± 0.7 percent) from the same period a year ago. The April 2017 to May 2017 percent change was revised from down 0.3 percent (± 0.5 percent)* to down 0.1 percent (± 0.2 percent)*.”
Graphically:
Then we have a quick look at the Futures as we head out on the road with the brother-in-law holding down the cats here the Fortress of Sanity here in the East Texas Outback: About flat with an hour to the open.
Look! Up in the Sky! It’s French!
As France puts on military show as Trump marks Bastille Day in Paris.
Bring your own champagne.
If you’re in Trump-Bashing headline withdrawal, simply click over to CNN and read “Some world leaders have decided that when dealing with President Trump, flattery will get you everywhere.”
CNN is also the only place I’ve seen airing “Dem senator: Trump Jr. Russia meeting ‘absolutely’ the smoking gun.” Smoke? Oh, yeah, b ut not from the emails. I figure its more like blowing smoke up the nation’s collective alpha-sierra…..
Meantime, The Hill reports “Trump Jr. pitch was part of broad Russian effort…” Wait! Did they just call the lady lawyer a broad? Tisk, tisk.
Another Obama Appointee
…seems to be legislating from the bench as we read “ALOHA, GRANDPA Judge expands Trump travel ban exemptions.” US District Court Judge Derrick Watson was appointed by that fellow who can’t leave Washington back in 2013.
Am I saying this is purely political? Well…think about it:
Times – and presidents – change, but you wouldn’t know it in most federal courts left of the Continental Divide.
Oklahoma over Sun Valley
Somehow, our invite to the big wig shindig in Sun Valley must have gone astray; While the likes of Bezos, Cook, and Ivanka are hanging up there, we’ll be cleaning out a casino in Oklahoma. If we do it large, maybe we’ll get an invite next year.
Personal Marketing
If you’re planning even more (weasted money on) tats, consider this one: “Would you hire this man? Unemployed dad with enormous face tattoo can’t get work…”
Somehow, the fox-uniformed generations don’t seem able to comprehend that we dress for success by dressing for others. Nope…the me-me-me, we-we-we’s are instead hung up on an odd lack of fashion that’s well past embarrassing.
Looking for a Weekend Shop Project?
Try duplicating this one in the family garage: “Coupling a nano-trumpet with a quantum dot enables precise position determination.”
Why, first thing you know, we’ll have enough of these nano-trumpets to form a nano-orchestra. And shortly thereafter, add $130 and you get?
Garritan Personal Orchestra 5.
Or not… But wasn’t the Electric Light Orchestra way ahead of its time?
Time to hit & git…see you Monday or tomorrow of www.peoplenomics.com subscribers…
“The urbane survivor…” Feeling good about yourself today I see. LOL
George, so much nicer when you focus on economics rather than politics. Of course, with so little left with which to defend the Serial Liar in Chief, probably better to lay low.
So, are we still going to have the Great Economic Armageddon come this October? That is less than 90 days away! Best, Mike.