As we head into election season, you will surely hear more rhetoric claiming that the rich don’t pay their fair share of taxes. Warren Buffett is famous for once saying that he paid less in taxes than his secretary did. If Warren really wanted to fix this, he could simply declare a dividend for Berkshire…
Last Friday’s non-farm jobs report was a blowout. Forecasts estimated that +200,000 jobs were added in January, but the number came in at +517,000. The market seemed to like it, but I don’t. The surprisingly strong job growth tells me that interest rate hikes are not having the desired effect. That’s the part I don’t…
Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but trending election results seem to be going my way. I’m a low-tax, pro-business supporter, and I’m unashamed about my leanings because I believe that a strong economy benefits the whole of society. With energy stocks on a tear into the final days of the midterms, I have some concerns about…
Hapless or Inept? Webster’s Dictionary defines Hapless as “Unlucky or unfortunate;” whereas they define Inept as “Lacking in judgment, sense or reason; Foolish.” In the case of the Fed, I’m going with inept. We expect ineptitude at the county DMV office. However, we should expect more from the highest offices in the land. The Federal…
As the tragedies in Ukraine and other Russian surprises have unfolded, I was most amazed by how unprepared the Russian army seems and that a ragtag team of civilians defending their homeland could put up such a fight. I always love an underdog. Along with showing the scrappiness of the Ukrainians, this serves to expose…
Gil published a piece in Forbes Council titled, “The Implications of Biden’s Proposed Tax Changes.” “Investors are understandably concerned about President Biden’s plans for additional tax revenue. In my experience, these concerns focus primarily on a couple key parts of the president’s proposal. Below, I’ll take a look at what those parts are and their…
Signs of inflation abound with chip shortages, car shortages, and sky-high lumber prices, among others. Many forecasters are predicting 70s style inflation or even stagflation. Given the similarities in Jimmy Carter’s and Mr. Biden’s policies, it’s a valid concern. Yet, I feel there are extenuating circumstances this time that give me hope that we can…
By now, you’ve likely heard that the Biden administration is angling for more of our hard-earned cash. Clearly, low tax rates are wonderful for the economy, but politics often drive less optimal paths. Rather than rehash the tax hikes proposed to corporate and personal tax rates, I thought we should review the issues facing estate…
In times of crazy market gyrations, there are always reasons. Those reasons seem imperative at the time and often portend a terrible fate. Yes, there have been some dark times, particularly around times of war. Other times excessive valuations are the cause of necessary and painful realignments. Whatever the cause, the rationale at the time…
Stock prices have been plunging for the last three weeks as coronavirus fears shut down many swaths of the global economy. Conferences and festivals are getting cancelled and surely cruise lines and airlines have no lines. There will be repercussions. Talks of recession may prove true, but that may also be brief. A vacuum of…
Yesterday was a complicated day in the stock market. It was dealing with coronavirus fears, along with coming to grips with Bernie’s surge in the Nevada primary and what a socialist US president would do to markets. I’m feeling the Bern already. Particularly hard hit were health insurance stocks, and it’s difficult to decipher which…
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