Blog Archives

Historical Context Of The Confederate Statue Controversy

Robert E. Lee Statue Controversy

Whenever there are significant events that take place, particularly those with some historical context, I like to take a step back and, if possible, go back in time and find real-time sources to generate a better understanding of what people were thinking at the time. The terrible events in Charlottesville was a catalyst for me to take this approach.

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Financier vs. Feminist - A Generational and Gender Point/Counterpoint on the Google Engineer's Manifesto

Ariella-Gary-Carmell-Google-Engineer

Let us put men and women together, see which one is smarter,

Some say men, but I say no, women got the men like a puppet show.

It ain’t me it’s the people that say,

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Has The Performance Of The S&P 500 Always Been So Top Heavy?

S&P 500 Top Heavy

Technology stocks, particularly large capitalization ones, have been on a tear as the following chart shows.

S&P 500 Technology

Since there is overlap between the two indices, I was curious to know how the largest technology companies have impacted the overall S&P 500 return.

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Apple - Ain't That America

Apple Steve Jobs

“A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.”

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Hitting the Wall? Is The Fed About to Make a Mistake?

Fed Interest Rate Hike

With last week being dedicated to a much-enjoyed vacation, I thought I would let pictures do more of the talking this week.

Not surprisingly, the Fed increased its benchmark rate by 0.25%. The market fully priced this in. What is more surprising is the Fed telegraphing two more hikes in 2017 and commencing a slow reduction in its holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities beginning at the end of the year.

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Shifting Into Reverse - Where is The Auto Market Headed?

Auto

Auto sales have been one of the real bright areas of the economy ever since the “Cash for Clunkers” program ended and sales dropped back down to recessionary levels. The following chart shows how they have grown by approximately 100% from trough to peak.

Auto Sales

US Total Auto Sales

Unfortunately,

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How Strong Are Older Families' Financial Report Cards?

Report Card

Last week I discussed research showing the correlation between wealth and education. The Federal Reserve followed up with additional research about wealth and demographics, the subject of this post. More specifically, wealth and age. Not surprisingly, the older a household is the more wealth has been generated since people have had more time to save and invest.

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Another School Tragedy…..1927

School tragedies are not a modern affliction yet they have been on the rise since the Columbine High School massacre April 20, 1999. The Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown was absolutely horrifying and a tragedy of unspeakable proportions yet the worst school tragedy in American history was 80 years earlier it took place at an elementary school in Bath Michigan in 1927.

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From Proust to Proctologists - Charlie Munger on Personal Development

Proctologist-Charlie-Munger

This week I continue with lessons learned from Charlie Munger and the answers he gave to shareholder questions at the Daily Journal annual meeting held in February. Last week I focused on delayed gratification and this week I will turn to his thoughts on personal development.

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Marshmallows, Munger, and the Benefits of Delayed Gratification

marshmallows munger

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were interviewed recently to discuss why they are both so optimistic about the future of America as well as other issues. Naturally, one of the topics covered was philanthropy as Gates and Buffett are leading the charge with regard to the Giving Pledge and the two have given more money away than other people in the world.

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