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.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/02/report-shows-hiring-at-lowest-since-2009-as-economists-turn-to-alternative-data-during-shutdown-blackout.html
"The year-to-date level of planning furloughs is the highest since 2020, the year of the Covid pandemic. C…
Meanwhile Trump tries to push down oil prices beyond what is profitable. The average driver may save a small amount overall. If you own oil related stocks you get smashed. And then you sell. Next oil companies dump employees and contracts. The fallo…
That's pretty interesting. Looking ahead, let's propose that the bugs get worked out of AI, and a basically reliable information source becomes widely available to almost anyone. What sort of impact would that have on financial markets?
OJ, I always…
How much of that error stems from poor questioning input, however? There is a direct impact in the outcome based on the quality of the input questioning. Apparently, the simple expedient of asking AI to verify its own answers can catch a lot of th…
“When 97 percent of the stories are bad about a person, it’s no longer free speech,” Trump said.
Or it could just be accurate reporting. How many "feel-good pieces" are we seeing about Jeffrey Epstein?
How many glowing articles of admiration are…
Like the children's toy "See and Say", all one has to do is pull the string for the usual platitudes and nonsense.
Chicken says, "I have enough, so I am risk averse"
Pig says, "You should own the S&P, even if I do not"
Sheep says, "The market…
Clearly it is FOMO and an AI speculative bubble driving the markets, not sound economic policy. When the reality hits home, it will be a significant event.
I feel that the above chart may be the very definition of the phrase "correlation is not causation". That the circumstances of this markets momentum need to be taken into consideration. Is it an AI bubble, or something else?
At these market levels…
Often we hear the phrase that a people deserves the leader that they get. Boston just took it up a notch.
Some nations elect Phds and other very smart people. We elect people who think that "it should be illegal" to criticize flawed leadership.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/01/leon-cooperman-says-weve-reached-the-stage-of-the-bull-market-that-warren-buffett-warned-about.html
Another voice that is warning of market problems. “Once a bull market gets under way, and once you reach the point w…
According to WSJ, International Paper has shut down 9% of its box making capacity. Closing two plants in Georgia. About twice what was shut down during the Great Recession.
This is viewed as another big warning sign regarding consumer spending, ho…
Thanks.
Also add to what they can get from your phone and your car, that which they can get from your credit card usage, social media posts, home security systems, cameras, voice assistants, traffic cameras, and your entire circle of friends simil…
@Observant1 I agree about the privacy issues. We need stronger controls. And better education. At the moment the cat is out of the bag. In reality, most everything that they can get from your car, they already could get from your phone. Location, ac…
@derf Exactly, as I get older I appreciate this stuff.
I also find it really interesting how it evolves. One can trace the most advance driving aids back to the advent of anti-lock brakes. Next you add a few sensors, a camera, radar, a better proc…
Just because prices are not going parabolic like 2022, doesn't mean that persistent inflation in the 3-4% range isn't going to wear people down. Tariffs are not going to go away because the FED lowers rates a little. On the contrary, inflation may a…
@derf. What a Sunday Night Game, eh? Our OTA coverage went on the fritz and we missed the OT part. Cloud cover, I suppose. We are 50 miles out from the antenna.
The Packers are looking like a real team, and will only get better with time.
Yes, hoodwink future generations. Like erasing the existence of slavery. Or removing women, and persons of color, from West Point honors. Why should they bother to stand up for the country, when a five time draft dodger can simply erase their contri…
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/car-industry-experts-warn-prices-climbing-fast-discounts-become-increasingly-hard-find
Even Fox Business is unable to put lipstick on that pig.
""... industry experts caution the effect of tariffs could offse…
He keeps getting trolled and his responses prove that it all gets under his skin. So he employs distractions and diversions and unlimited amounts of straw men constructs. Debate fallacies, every single one.
Yeah, he is definitely okay with employi…
@davidmoran Are there any big words or educated ideas in that article?
If so, the old adage about teaching a pig to dance may apply here. It is doomed to fail and aggravates the pig!
Some of the features can be badly implemented. Some not as effective as they may eventually be. But, as aids to older drivers, with slower reflexes and less than perfect vision, there are many that can be pretty darn helpful.
Adaptive headlights w…
What? In a pickup truck with twin flags? Hard to fathom.
Maybe he thought that Mormons are stealing his jobs?
And that would be both timely and ironic, as someone in this thread was just raving about "left-wing violence". Huh.
Sometimes a picture really is worth 1,000 words.
If the asshole hadn't already died, they could get him for attempted flag burning, eh?
Seems like an odd choice to choose a Mormon church.
I prefer the Russian way, perhaps he needs to take some air on a rooftop?
Whitmer asks for patience as the authorities look for answers. In stark contrast to trump, who immediately blathers about a war on Christians.
Edit to add: For some reason…
I too expect further rates cuts, and then very possibly a reckoning. With various labor shortfalls as we deport workers and limit visa availability, inflation already knocking at the door of 3%, lofty market valuations and rising credit defaults, th…
Interesting, Hank. I believe that this link will work.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-credit-market-is-humming-and-that-has-wall-street-on-edge/ar-AA1NtE0D
I think the notion of not spending enough is aimed at only certain folks. I get it. After a lifetime of carefully watching spending, things can work out far better than expected, but increasing spending can be difficult for savers.
And what more d…
What is missing is an explanation/rationale. Some sort of justification for higher valuations.
Is it both domestic and foreign buyers with FOMO? Productivity? Greater consumer demand? Something else? Which of these things is perpetual?
Thought it was time for an update on tariff price impacts. In March 2025, I updated all our kitchen appliances from a local big box appliance store.
Refrigerator cost $2200. Now 6 months later $2900, same model $700 more.
Stove cost $1000. Now 6 m…
