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.
@DrVenture You said it!
This administration is rife with examples of socialist tendencies and attempts to hinder free markets. Trump wanted to "buy" a 5G cell phone manufacturer, when he discovered that the U.S. did not have one. Which would be gove…
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/27/deep-inside-economy-more-sticker-prices-start-to-go-up-due-to-tariffs.html
This seems most appropriate posted right here.
-The latest inflation data came in hotter than expected, and Nike warned in its earnings on …
It IS hard to do nothing. Or, at least, be patient enough to find the correct moment to act. I plan to increase my equity allocation by 4% and think I will choose INTL equities to meet that goal. I also want to reallocate some cash (another 4%) to P…
The mere fact that it isn't being touted as the biggest and best ever, might be telling us a lot. Add in the fact that we are apparently relaxing export controls, when Trump's base considers China an existential threat, is a strong indication that C…
Yes, "command economy" sort of stuff. Not disparaging Democratic Social programs.
Just amused by the hypocrisy of the folks who weaponize the word, don't understand its definition, and then embrace command economy policies without understanding th…
For one thing, significant limitations on advanced microchips to the Middle East have been eased. The ME has AI and bitcoin aspirations.
My take on the oil situation was that OPEC had increased production to head off our domestic industry from inc…
I shopped on Newegg "back in the day"—component availability and prices were excellent then.
I'm not a gamer which has helped to reduce spending on performance GPUs over the years.
Haha, the cycle of building gaming rigs, and immediately eyeing the …
Yes, and rforno was right on top of that distinction, as I suspected that he would be. I have a tech background, but mainly hardware and am not up-to-date on AI at all.
My two international equity funds have been my best performers, by far, in 2025.
The YTD returns for my small blend and large blend funds are 16.44% and 15.04% respectively.
I don't know if international equity funds will continue to outperform U.S.…
Yes, that is what I was referring to. I have no faith in my ability to pick a sector and/or adjust as circumstances unfold. Though "mainly subpar" may fit the bill too.
LOL - Imagine that it were Biden who was handed a roaring stock market and within months had produced a correction, one expressly tied to his policies. Would the OP be ignoring that and handing him credit for 2 1/2 years of FED policy? And utterly f…
Schwab's Liz Ann Sonders' recent article asks the question:
"Complation"…Is there too much complacency regarding inflation?
"The rub is that much of the economic data outside of direct inflation readings suggest higher inflation ahead. Both key pu…
We are supposed to believe that some magical administration policies brought down inflation in mere months, without specifying which policies actually did this. It's a hoot.
Hell, if he can do that, he doesn't need the FED to lower rates. He can j…
I am tempted to buy a INTL index fund in my 401K. Up almost 20% YTD. No way to know if this is just the beginning, or a potential trap. I do have plenty of cash on hand, and am in the process of unloading some preferred shares, so needing to put som…
I might add (for the sake of conversation) that the biggest bottleneck to running resource heavy applications locally is usually the GPU (video components). Short of an expensive gaming PC, most do not have the GPU capabilities (calculations) necess…
What is comical about this is that no competent business leader would want the Treasec job. Same with Navarro and Lutnick. If they had real business chops, they would be making the big CEO bucks in the private sector, not as government hacks with no…
Making me work for it, eh? lol
"US Jobless claims declined to 236,000 as continuing claims increased to 1.97 million, the highest since November 2021."
"Elsewhere, the US merchandise-trade deficit unexpectedly widened in May while imports were …
I know that @rforno is likely the best resource on this forum for questions about anything computer related, especially security. Which, I gather, is your biggest concern. I hesitate to drag him into something that is essentially "work related", but…
No doubt that some end up in foreign countries where they can be cobbled back together. Places where they pay no attention to the myriad check engine (money) lights on the dash, or the missing airbags. And a Carfax with bad juju is merely an after t…
This is so revealing. It stinks of unrealistic expectations, lack of confidence in assumed leverage, and abject fear over adverse market reactions. Anyone with a strong negotiating position and a solid plan doesn't keep moving the goalposts. Nor wou…
One thing to take into consideration is that what may appear to be mere scratches on the paint, can require a respray (and all the associated prep) to make undetectable. Scratches that are not all the way through the clear coat can be polished out. …
Many products these days are unrepairable or hard to repair. Some cheap TVs are all sealed and you cannot even open it to check or fix anything.
This is slowly getting to cars too.
I have read that in many car models, to replace the headlights, t…
This was originally published in WSJ. There is another related article about the cost of replacing headlights. There was an Audi with specialized headlights which cost several thousands of dollars to replace.
This is why it is very easy to mechani…
Is this a bull market since April 8 (I bought on that date heavily), or was this all a relief rally off of lows as the full extent of the TACO trade was impressed on investors?
I do believe that this is a long bull market since the start of 2023, …
Boeing makes the MOP. They appear to specialize in things that fall from the sky and result in destruction.
:-)
If one is looking for investment opportunity here, perhaps Northrup Grumman (B-2 manufacturer) is the better long term investment.The …
Seems to me that Iran wouldn't have to do much at all to convince commercial shippers that they don't want to take the risk of transiting the Strait.
There goes the TACO trade.
I would think that the Strait is exactly how we get drawn in further, …
This sums up where we are now:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLAO1BOA3yG/
As a friend noted, "Trump created the problem. The single reason Iran was so close to obtaining a nuclear weapon is that Trump destroyed the diplomatic agreement that put maj…
Boeing makes the MOP. They appear to specialize in things that fall from the sky and result in destruction. .
From NY Times:
"A U.S. official said that six B-2 bombers dropped a dozen 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs on the Fordo nuclear site, whi…
A recent Fox News poll reported that Trump was way underwater with everyone, including Republicans on the topic of refusing to follow court directives. It seems that even for MAGA, ignoring judges is seen as unacceptable. Whodda thunk?
Well considered. Well put. I am not sure "active party or accomplice" is relevant. We knew in advance, provided intel, and assisted in their defense. Plus, we are Israels weapons dealer. I know how I'd view that if I were Iran.
I agree with every …
I didn't pay much attention to the parade actually, but I did happen to see one photo of some heavy equipment (either tanks or Armored Patrol Vehicles) moving down the street. The hatches on the top were open and there were three service people stan…
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Fed is data dependent but also forward-looking, so he couldn't be tied down to what the past data showed.
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In the words of the poet, Neil Peart, "If you choose not to decide. You still have made a choice".