Month: September 2020

Taxes paid to state and local governments are currently deductible up to a maximum of $10,000/year. There is now talk of eliminating the cap. Why? 96% of the benefits of repeal would go to the top 20% of income earners,…

While the CPI rose by 1.3% Y-o-Y and core CPI, which strips out volatile food and energy, is up 1.7% Y-o-Y, their highest levels since Sars-Cov-2 arrived, inflation will not be a concern for years. Inventory shortages, which have been…

In 7/20, 52% or 26.6 million adults ages 18-29 lived with at least one parent, up from 47% or 24 million in 2/20. This is the highest percentage since at least 1940 when it was 48%. This percentage bottomed at…

The Friday File: In 20Q2, liquor imports totaled $1.8 billion, down from $2.5 billion in 19Q2. The decline has been severe for whisky and cognac/brandy; vodka and gin sales haven’t budged. With bars/restaurants closed, demand for high-end cocktail hooch is…

In 2013, Exxon’s market capitalization was $415 billion, and it was the most valuable firm in the world. Today, it’s worth $180 billion. In 2008, energy comprised 13.3% of the S&P 500, today, it’s 2.5%. Recently, the Dow Jones Industrial…

Despite new auto sales being down but rebounding nicely, car prices are regularly setting price records. In August, the average new vehicle went for $35,420, up 6.1% Y-o-Y. The combination of limited inventory, cheap money, longer-term auto loans, inexpensive gas,…

August’s employment report was strong. 1.4 million new jobs, a higher labor force participation rate, and a decline in the unemployment rate to 8.4% from 10.2%! Ignoring the hiring of 238,000 temporary Census workers, job growth is still down from…

The Friday File: This Labor Day 67% of us will grill, 36% will watch a movie, 35% will enjoy quiet time, 27% will do an outdoor activity, 26% will attend a party, and 23% will go shopping. In the Before…

Prior to the Housing Bust, the US Debt-to-GDP ratio was 35%, and prior to Sars-Cov-2 the ratio was 82%. By the end of 20Q2, it was 105.5% of GDP, a staggering rise resulting from $2.8 trillion in new spending and…

After making $2.8 billion in airline ticket change fees in 2019, 15% of all revenue, the three legacy carriers have largely eliminated them (until they reimpose them). Carriers are desperate to encourage air travel, as the airline recovery stalled in…