Econ70

The Friday File: The fifth most popular US sports team name (including high schools, junior colleges, colleges, semi-pro leagues, and all professional leagues) is Wildcats with 969 teams. In fourth place is Panthers with 1,124 and in third is Bulldogs…

Housing, autos, retail sales, and equities are doing well, as is manufacturing. But first-time claims for unemployment remain stubbornly high and permanent job losses are rising as the service sector necessarily shrinks. Congress and the White House can’t agree on…

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…