Over the past several years, the Democratic and Republican parties have drastically realigned. The Democrats increasingly represent higher income, college educated, coastal voters. As such, how can they realistically advocate for tax increases? Similarly, the Republican party increasingly represents older,…
With fears of growth downshifting, inflation weak, and all-important inflation expectations deteriorating, earlier today the Fed promised more patience and suggested there will be no rate hikes this year. I believe this is an overreaction. But, with rates already so…
In 2016, the labor force participation rate for men 25-54 was 88%, and by the end of 2018 it had risen to 89%. However, for 25-54-year-old women the rate rose twice as much, from 73.8%, to 75.8%. Driving this is…
The state with the highest ratio of federal revenues received to federal taxes paid is KY at 2.35. They paid $30.1 billion but received $70.8 billion, a difference of $9,145/person. NM followed at 2.34, or $8,692/person. CT had the worst…
Elliot spoke to the Fredericksburg (Virginia) Area Association of Realtors and the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association on March 6, 2019. See the write-up in the Free Lance-Star:
The Friday File: While the cost of a plain 16oz cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Starbucks and 7-Eleven ranges from roughly $1.20 to $2.65, caffeine content/cup also varies, specifically, from a low of almost 150mg/cup to almost 350mg/cup.…
While China’s exports fell a whopping 21% in 2/19, averaging out January and February the decline is just 4.6%; nearly identical to the decline of 4.4% in 12/17. Averaging is important because much of the February decline was due to…
December retail sales were dismal, declining 1.2% M-o-M, their worst performance in years. They have since rebounded and January sales were up 0.2%. While there are many possible explanations, including the government shutdown, the near 20% decline in the stock…
During the 20th century, the US consumed 4.4 gigatons of cement. By contrast, during 2011-2013 China used 6.4 gigatons of cement; 45% more than the US used in 100 years; amazing! Why? China has 221 cities with over a million…
With just 20,000 new jobs, the February job report headline was disappointing. But, aftermath from the government shutdown continued to impact the data, as did severe weather during the survey week. Separately, since the current expansion began, each time there…