Select Page
Supply and Da Man

Supply and Da Man

by

U.S. markets closed off today, while foreign markets ended generally positive. A bright spot in the US economy was the release of new home sales, which were estimated to be up 7.3% in April, to 323,000 new homes sold. This represents the fourth month in a row of increasing new home sales, but we're coming off a dismal low. In 2005, 1.4 million new homes were sold.

The housing market reflects a classic supply/demand equation. The supply of housing far outstrips demand, and with a glut of foreclosed homes still in the market, the housing market is unlikely to return to 2005 levels for several years.

The markets seemed to be more concerned with the nation of Greece's ability to service it's debt. Keep in mind that about the only difference between Greece and the United States is 270 million people. Investors have yet to figure that out.

Chrysler today repaid $7.6 billion in government loans to the United States and Canada. Perhaps this will [...]

Supply and Da Man

A New Year, A New Congress

by

Out with the old, in with the new, goes the standard cliche every year about this time.  No, this is not a reference to Nancy Pelosi's age, although incoming House Speaker John Boehner is 9 years younger.  Speaker Boehner does represent a new attitude and the resulting optimism is being reflected in the markets and the broader economy. Consider:
  • Retail sales, Christmas sales, were up significantly over 2009
  • Consumer and business confidence for November and December have inched higher
  • Jobless numbers are moving downward, evidenced by today's ADP employment report that suggested 297,000 new private sector jobs were created in December (this is a big number!)
This is not a coincidence.  This is, however a [...]

The Big Spanking

by

Our grandchildren were over last weekend–two boys ages 5 and 3.  At one point the 3-year-old was telling me about being disobedient and how Daddy had to give him a big spanking.  Now I know my son and I’m sure that he was providing gentle discipline, but...

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

by

The Labor Department reported this morning that nonfarm payrolls fell by 131,000 in the month of July.  Even more discouraging was that June’s revised payroll number was revised downward to a negative 221,000.  This is huge.  Initial jobless claims estimates...

Administrative Delusion

by

Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning, President Barack Obama was being interviewed by Harry Smith.  This seems to be this President’s primary function.  I can just see his job description now–Item 1, must interview with the media incessantly.  Never mind...

The Case Against Financial Institutions Regulation (and other sundry items)

by

The news events of the last few months have certainly put the Obama Administration in a peculiar position.  The Gulf crisis notwithstanding, most of these events have been created by this president and his staff. Team Obama went the the G20 Summit in Toronto this weekend to chide the other 19 nations to continue to stimulate their economy through Keynsian economic principles.  "Not so fast", said the other countries.  "We have to make choices, and right now, we choose fiscal solvency and prudence".  What a concept! Passage of the Financial Institutions Reform package was always tenuous, at best, but the death of Senator Robert Byrd over the weekend makes passage more difficult.  One less Democratic vote means that it's more likely that Republicans can filibuster this package, and this is a good thing.  Here's why:  Any bill that increases regulation, drives up costs to the consumer, and squeezes financial services companies' margins will negatively affect the economy.  The costs of increased regulation always get passed along to the consumer in some way, shape or form.  Limiting profits also limit tax revenues [...]
    Log in