Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
New car prices topped $50K average for the first time. Ignore that every single automaker warned that tariffs would push prices higher.
Remember that at 2% inflation it takes 5 years to lose 10% of purchasing power, still a problem for those on fi…
Bought a towel hook for in the shower. $4.60 in Feb 2025 and 8 months later (now) $5.60. What inflation?
Yeah but, someone else did something too. So, it doesn't count! LOL
Wait until companies stop absorbing it and push prices even higher.
Ke…
Real inflation numbers here. Call it "real" or "personal" or whatever you like. But, it is a like for like comparison from trump 2.0 day 1 to now.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/heres-much-more-expensive-groceries-212033110.html
A few exampl…
They need these outrageous stories to be able to not feel betrayed or embarrassed by this unstable individual. Stories about ridiculous things that do not even move the needle for your average citizen. But, it gives them fodder for their rationaliza…
The only bright spot I see is that this inflationary pressure is not selective. That the GOP voters who thought he was going to give them a leg up, are going to get crushed along with everyone else on the low end of the income scale. Add in the expi…
'The administration seemed caught off guard by China’s restrictions, which could cripple American industries. Mr. Trump threatened on Friday to cancel a planned meeting with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, as well as adding a 100 percent tariff. Aft…
Weird that some Jews vote to elevate these people.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146
"The group chat members spoke freely about the pressure to cow to Trump to avoid being called a RINO, t…
Paul K. agrees, saying here on his substack: https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/how-trump-is-making-china-great
There is one big difference between Trump’s trade policy and China’s. Namely, the Chinese appear to know what they’re doing.
It is easy t…
@Old_Joe Agreed.
Those of us who are not willing to avoid responsibility concur. I respect that. No partisan finger pointing necessary.
Plenty of blame for how we got here. The Biden administration, the prior Trump administration. Maybe even bef…
As one might expect, companies will absorb some of the impact at first, hurting shareholders. Then they will slowly roll out price increases, like boiling a frog.
Inflation may not surge all at once and recede, like after all that Covid stimulus. …
But, it is Another Good Week for Heaven! trump acknowledged to a reporters question that he is fairly certain that he is not going to Heaven.
A new first for trump, a small blip of self-awareness. And a win for The Devil. Who remembers that scene …
A rare Earth stockpile is the sort of thing that government should do. Things that one cannot expect corporations or individuals to accomplish. So, yes a failure.
The complete inability to consider that fact before engaging in a trade war? That is…
When a person has no problem with starving children, and the killing of aid workers, and preventing water/medical supplies to victims of war, it is hard too imagine what exactly about this one-sided "deal" is considered positive to them. Much of the…
Talking to my neighbor across the street yesterday, he discovered at least three nests at various points in his eaves/shingle. Even getting colder here (75 degrees), they were fairly active.
"The price of gold has beaten U.S. stocks, bitcoin and even shares of AI wonder-stock Nvidia this year.
There’s no saying how far that epic run will go, but there are almost certainly better places to park
your savings in the long run. History and c…
Golly gee, when I went on the internet today, I was hoping someone would tell me what to read and how to assess the content. Praise the Lord! It is my lucky day. That never happens.
We need more people to filter content/ideas, so all us inexperien…
I don't understand people's confidence about the outcome of flimsy to non-valid charges nowadays. If the government can shop around for a prosecutor to bring the charges, I see no reason to assume the courts cannot be likewise manipulated. (I have n…
Any smart person knows that we can make China pay off all of the costs of the Big Beautiful Bill simply by incresaing the tariffs.
Yaahhh, just like Mexico was going to pay for the wall.
But tariffs...those always work. And autocratic rulers…
Good article.
Essentially it wouldn't matter anyhow to those who believe they are good people and believe in faith and charity. In this situation, "faith and charity" are not the strippers at the club these "good people" frequent.
You are so negative!! You are obviously a radical left-wing antifa commie sort of person.
Any smart person knows that we can make China pay off all of the costs of the Big Beautiful Bill simply by incresaing the tariffs. We know this is true becaus…
Not a good week now! Big losses in tech and energy and industrials.
TSM -6.5%
HAL -6%
BKR -6%
DVN -5%
AMZN -4.5%
EMR -4%
CEG -4%
Apparently, trump is throwing another tantrum that China is not willing to give away their natural resources, while …
The one thing that remains extremely clear is that many, many Republicans, and even former trump appointees, are disgusted by this administrations assault on The Constitution and the rule of law.
And that this current gaggle of appointees are bo…
This one carries less weight than the Comey indictment. In fact, it is laughable. If this is the best trump can do, it really illustrates his impotence.
"In an email sent to a mortgage broker, James wrote that the property "WILL NOT be my primary …
Take note that Anna Kelly made no refutations. Only some sort of ad hominem attack and a straw man. There is no "mandate" to "drill, baby, drill".
Ironically, trump administration policies are hurting both our environment and oil industry bottom li…
@rforno Also, a good story and quite a ride!
The timing was both good and bad. Good, because it all occurred before I had built a large amount of portfolio balance. Bad, because that "seed money" could have really accelerated over time. Also good, …
I take Speaker (Tiny) Johnson's attempt to spin the GOP as concerned about healthcare to be a realization, on his part, that his party's assault on ACA and Medicaid is not sitting well with voters.
The clueless MAGA voters may buy into it, but wil…
Love to hear more thoughts on this topic from others. I own no PM (or bitcoin), but the temptation is always present. Still, big run ups and high valuations spook me more than anything else.
I am interested in any asset class that might be a place …
I got hit on several fronts at that time. As a major player in that space, the company that I worked for (a spinoff) had issued us stock options. I also participated in the discounted ESPP. And had some company stock in my 401K, as well. The stock o…
@gman57. This is exactly the point.
I have a female friend who raged about paying taxes for government pensions. Until both her kids had local government pensions. Then a complete about face occurred.
Still, a MAGA Republican acknowledging that A…
Job numbers are not looking good.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/07/the-shutdown-meant-no-jobs-report-carlyles-analysis-shows-it-would-have-been-pretty-bad.html
-Employment growth was essentially flat in September, according to data from investment …
https://time.com/7323442/south-carolina-judge-diane-goodstein-house-fire-trump-political-violence/
The work of MAGA! Another great week, indeed!
Political violence against judge who received death threats for weeks related to her work.
"at least …
Joshua Brown is Cofounder & CEO of the wealth management firm Ritholtz. He also posts on social-media and has podcasts, but he isn't a journalist or economist by education or training.
https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/
I have been a fan for years,…
I try to remind myself of these fees each time I am offered a "free" steak dinner from these wealth management companies.
In my world, management fees would only be allowed on positive performance (the gains), not the initial investment amount (the…
@davidmoran
@Old_Joe
Thanks again!
You know, funny thing is that ice works good immediately after. The next day, however, even cool water running over the hands seemed to re-activate/irritate the fingers that were stung.
I did wonder if a secon…
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/06/paul-tudor-jones-says-ingredients-are-in-place-for-massive-rally-before-a-blow-off-top-to-bull-market.html
-Paul Tudor Jones said today’s market is reminiscent of the setup leading up to the burst of the dot-com bubb…
Nothing undermines a leader more than when they appoint political hacks to critical positions.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/watching-pete-hegseth-humiliated-no-232334272.html
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/pete-hegseth-is-embarrass…