Archive

How to Tell if We Are in a 'Housing Bubble'

By Rob Spivey

Monday, August 16, 2021

Prices are on the move... The steep surge in commodity prices keeps hitting the headlines today. The price of lumber, semiconductor chips, gasoline, grocery store staples, and even the lattes sold at your local coffee shop cost more now.  The used car market, known for its rapid depreciation, not appreciation, is up more than 40%. […]

The U.S. Is Facing a Scarcity of Its Most Precious Resource

By Joel Litman

Friday, August 13, 2021

There's a scarcity issue for the modern economy's most important resource... I recently arrived back in Istanbul after spending much of the first half of 2021 in the U.S., mostly in Florida. As I look back, one of the most jarring parts of my trip was the appearance of many "now hiring" signs. You have […]

This Services Company Is Winning the Complicated 'Green Revolution'

By Rob Spivey

Thursday, August 12, 2021

The case for green energy, beyond reaching net zero... Across the globe, countries are calling for net-zero emissions by making sure they aren't creating more greenhouse gasses than they can remove. It's an ambitious goal, given that the global economy still mostly depends on fossil fuels. But the vast scientific consensus points to disastrous consequences […]

Congress May Be About to Propel the Cannabis Market Higher, But Not Every Company Will Be a Winner

By Rob Spivey

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

A slew of legislative actions may completely upend the U.S. marijuana industry... For many years, U.S. banks and public investors have largely ignored or have been outright denied access to the country's cannabis market. The drug is still on the federal government's list of controlled substances. This means businesses tied to the trade are cut […]

The Data-Driven Economy Is Pressuring the Backbone to Your Credit Score

By Rob Spivey

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Our economy operates on a brilliant concept... Two important inventions – debt and money – make our modern economy function. Not only do we collectively agree to assign value to otherwise valueless pieces of paper, but we are comfortable selling things without actually being paid yet. The loan is a brilliant concept. In many instances, […]

What the Real Numbers Tell Us About the World's Superpowers

By Joel Litman

Monday, August 9, 2021

The U.S. has enjoyed the envious position of being the world's hegemon… The world stage seemed relatively tranquil for the first time in nearly a century after the collapse of the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. The "Iron Curtain" fell, the Internet took off, and the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe became more […]

Sometimes All We Need Is Tough Love

By Joel Litman

Friday, August 6, 2021

I developed a very bad habit as a young teen... I took up cigarette smoking in my teens. I remember it being addictive, smoking in the morning before school. During the day, I even took full advantage of my high school's designated smoking area.  I smoked a cigarette as soon as the last class was […]

America's Aerospace Giant Faces an Uncertain Future

By Rob Spivey

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Many challenges plague one of America's historic titans of ingenuity... Over the past decade, a glance at U.S. international trade data would reveal one name as the country's largest exporter: Boeing (BA). The aerospace giant's fleet of planes, from the classic 737 to the new 787 Dreamliner, has been purchased by airlines worldwide for years. […]

These Cybersecurity Companies Benefit from Cyber War

By Joel Litman

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

State-sponsored hacking is on the rise... A line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks," came to mind recently with China's denial of recent hacking accusations despite clear evidence of its involvement. Hackers broke into Microsoft's (MSFT) e-mail platform Exchange earlier this year, gaining access to more than 30,000 customers' e-mail accounts. […]

Finding Winners in the Commercial Real Estate Space

By Joel Litman

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

The hybrid-work model will change office space for years to come... Many have been calling for the death of office real estate investment trusts ("REIT") since the global pandemic struck.  Global lockdowns forced the world to work from home, and many workers haven't stepped foot in the office in more than a year. As a […]