Knowing how polarized we have become as a nation I usually make a concerted effort to avoid overtly political issues in my columns. But, as an unapologetic capitalist I felt the need to comment on the recent congressional approval of a $15 federal minimum wage and its potential economic impact. [...]
Here at last, the dog days of summer. Under normal circumstances, the stock market would usually be swooning by now from lack of attention while Big Money folks hang out in the Hamptons, hike in Maine, chic stuff like that. But as the late, great Erma Bombeck said, Normal is [...]
For nearly a year, tensions between the US and China regarding trade have had a negative impact on the stock market. Many investors are now concerned that a full blown trade war is inevitable. One of the primary reasons for President Trump’s willingness to impose stiff tariffs on Chinese imports [...]
For investors, proper perspective is about the most important quality one can possess. I am referring to the practice of viewing where we are in terms of historical benchmarks and the statistical probabilities from long history Our shared human condition is that we are creatures of the here and now. [...]
I saw recently the Princess Bride movie will be presented this next weekend on Xfinity, Netflix, or some outlet. One of my lifetime favorite movies, it includes a scene in which the hero must transport his love through the Slough of Despond. It is a treacherous place with fire swamps, [...]
Human nature is a strange and wonderful thing, don’t you think? When times are tough, we cannot wait until they become easier. When they become easier, we worry about the next tough time or experience. Lots of investors are feeling that latter one today. As I write this on Tuesday, [...]
Often, people will ask me what I do for a living. Rather than give some longwinded answer that includes some impressive sounding title, I usually say I help my company solve problems. I truly believe God put me on this planet to do that very thing. I get a rush [...]
Sustainability is a new buzzword in our world. From my life experience, nothing is truly sustainable without change--sometimes massive--required to cope with external causes or even the forward march of human drive for improvements. We are experiencing a bull market for stocks that is approaching 98 months since March 9, [...]
Even at this point in the economic cycle after eight years of horribly slow growth and stock market recovery from 2008-09, my associate, Aaron Pickert, and I are still bullish. To commit a spoiler however, there are some conditions over which you readers who like to worry may safely do [...]
In my older age, I have mellowed some in my perspective and expressed opinions about most areas of politics. If you think I exaggerate, you should have heard me in my younger years. The verbal rockets still being fired following the (legal or illegal) election of President Trump really are [...]
