Breaking: NFIB Optimism Just out: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.5 points in February to 98.8 but remained slightly above the 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index decreased three points from January to 88. The Employment Index ticked up nearly a point in February to 103.5, 3.5 points above its historical average … Read More
The early futures today are down. But in Europe, it’s a different tale. There, markets are up – not ginormously – but up, nevertheless. Why down on the futures, including gold and silver, then? Wasn’t our state-extreme variance trading model showing a rally is the more likely move ahead? Could be “mechanical short-covering.” See, when there is … Read More
I suppose we can begin at the beginning – which is the CPI figures just out from Labor. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased … Read More
Since hitting the 77 mark this month, I have cut myself considerable slack. Things like “pressure” to keep UrbanSurvival going, publish still more books, and doing more research. I mean, eventually time runs out and what we leave with is all between-our ears, anyway. Still, mornings like this? Good to sit in the recliner over at the … Read More
Full agenda today so here’s the snapshot. And Now Here’s Your Host: Wild George Pretend today I’m a “shock jock” – And you just tuned in to the Wild George Sez show. One of the few remaining English-language, non-thumping programs left on AM radio… He reads the headlines: “Challenger Job Cuts report is just out. But … Read More
There is increasing activity in China and the Western (rabid) social media about war – in one form, or another – around February 17th. This isn’t just on social – it’s also showing up in Google Search trend analysis. On the left, you’ll see mid December, a spike in mid January. But we are most concerned … Read More
$100 Silver nearly landed overnight – stopped 60-cents shy on the futures. But that doesn’t end the hard assets war. In fact, $5,000 gold and $100 silver seem almost a “lock” at this point. But, we don’t offer this as “advice.” It’s in the news category. Since We’re on Financials… Early market futures were down. … Read More
The two most useful sources on all the “news” sites today might be our own Reader Ray and a weekend video by The Asian Guy on YouTube. We’ll toss in our consigliere, too, because his phone call Monday is a dandy starting point. Ring-a-Ding on NATO My consigliere called in Sunday. “Greenland is about getting out of … Read More
How are your “war preps?” This is not something people in the CONUS need to worry about – yet. Except – and this is our first thinking bit of the morning – there is the Calendar. My consigliere and I have spent uncountable (therefore, non-billable) time calculating the answer to the simple question: “When is the absolute … Read More
Sleigh bells? Chestnuts? Open fires? Not around here – not this year. Mostly sunny and 77 today. Boxing Day will hit 81. To be sure, the East Texas outback is a different part of the country. Down here in “We say grace, we say mam, if you aint into that we don’t give a damn” country. Where … Read More
As we roll into Nick Day week, besides metals glittering early, there’s a CFNAI report to dissect. After which three “holiday week risks” are assessed. Noisy headlines give me a cartoon excuse, but then into useless lithium battery chargers and some ShopTalk and Peoplenomics previews. St. Nick’s Rally – And Caution Market futures were showing a … Read More
Fresh coffee at the ready? We’ve got markets trying to figure out when the AI Bubble is over, how high silver will go on prospects of use in solid-state batteries, and a better-than-even chance of a major ground war in Europe in ’26. So, lots of moving pieces to worry about. But that’s (more or … Read More
Today’s agenda is simple: Hard, soft, and out there. The hard part is markets are trying to shake off the Friday (small Elliott 1) down. Tempering Christmas with management skills. And best of all? A great investment of time in “soul level work” looms over holidays. BTR: Market Made Simple Stocks fell on their ass Friday. … Read More