Month: February 2014
The Friday File: Academy Awards boost ticket sales two ways; the “nomination effect” and the “winner effect”. While Ocsar winners sell more tickets than movies that are only nominated, most of the difference occurs before the awards ceremonies. Thus ticket…
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In 2011, monthly payroll growth averaged 174,000 in 2012 it averaged 186,000 and 194,000 last year. This year I expect employment to be at least as strong as in 2013. Moreover, I’m only mildly concerned about weakness in emerging markets…
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To understand why income and wealth are becoming increasingly unequal in America, look no further than Facebook’s purchase of WhatsApp for $19 billion! That’s 40% more than the value of the median firm in the S%P 500. If shared equally…
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Recent housing data has been weak. It’s because the weather has been harsh, there’s a lack of developable lots and skilled workers, limited inventory, reduced investor buying, higher mortgage rates, fewer low-priced distressed sales and higher house prices. Despite these…
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While raising the minimum wage to $10.10 from the current $7.25 is estimated to eliminate 500,000 jobs and raise 900,000 workers out of poverty, that’s not the end of the story. Those numbers will steadily decline as inflation eats away…
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With the Olympics almost over, among winter powerhouse countries the one that most positively surprised was Netherlands with 22 medals, double what was expected. Conversely, Austria, Germany, Norway and South Korea all won about 40% fewer medals than expected. Most…
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Should China suffer a hard economic landing, trade with its neighbors would fall along with commodity prices, hurting Australia, Brazil, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Singapore and Hong Kong would also suffer due to relatively large financial links with…
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After steadily declining for 19 straight quarters, total consumer debt increased in the past two quarters for the first time since 2008! Household debt grew by $130 billion in Q3 and by $241 billion in Q4. However, overall consumer debt…
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Non-farm private employment peaked at 115.5 million in 6/07 and is now 115.0 million, down half-a-percent and should hit a new high this May. By contrast, total public employment, which includes state, local and federal government employment, plateaued at 22.8…
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The Friday File: The 53% of men who celebrate Valentine’s Day spend an average of $173, while the 54% of women who celebrate spend $97. By age, 25-34 year olds spend the most averaging $218, followed by 18-24 year olds…
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