Topic: Economic Trends

Business Conditions Monthly February 2024

– April 19, 2024

“Amidst mixed economic data reminiscent of most of the past two years, there are pockets of strength which are nevertheless overshadowed by inflation concerns and speculation regarding monetary policy actions in the coming quarter or two.” ~Peter C. Earle

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“Stabilization” Is Just Bad Old Rent Control

– March 13, 2024

“Just about the worst way to ‘help’ renters is by punishing property owners for providing rental housing, which is just what rent caps do.” ~Jason Sorens

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Childless China: Coercive Population Plan Implodes

– March 12, 2024

“That China’s downfall stems from its own collectivist policies is no small irony, but it should come as no surprise. It stems from the same flawed thinking that led to the fall of the last communist empire.” ~Jon Miltimore

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The Fed (Almost) Ruined Black Friday

– March 12, 2024

“A record $1.3 trillion in credit card debt may be masking a weaker economy than the top-line spending numbers suggest, as consumers accrue debt to maintain a standard of living being crushed by rising prices in housing, groceries, and energy.” ~Spence Purnell

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Another Year, Another Crisis

– March 11, 2024

“From inflation to a Fed tightening cycle, to banking losses and now real estate tremors, we again find ourselves climbing tenuously out of one hole only to collapse limply into another.” ~Peter C. Earle

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China is Scaring Away Investors

– February 19, 2024

“Xi expects business as well as people to serve the CCP. As authoritarian controls metastasize throughout the economy, everyone suffers.” ~Doug Bandow

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$34 Trillion and Climbing

– January 6, 2024

“The US government will never, ever, voluntarily cut spending. For our self-preservation, American citizens will need to find a means of arresting the Beltway’s profligate instinct.” ~Peter C. Earle

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A Short Guide to ESG: Legislation

– December 21, 2023

“Proponents of ESG would like to see more legal requirements for companies to reach net zero, to hire more diverse boards and employees, and to cater to a variety of stakeholder interest groups rather than the interest of shareholders.” ~Paul Mueller

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The Inflationary-Profits Hypothesis is Mush

– December 18, 2023

“Once a bastion of sound reporting, the Wall Street Journal’s economy desk is slowly descending into incoherence…Simple economics demonstrates why the inflationary-profits hypothesis is bunk.” ~Alexander W. Salter

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Robots Free Humans from Repetitive Tasks

– December 16, 2023

“Robots handle repetitive tasks or heavy lifting that cause substantial wear on the human body, reducing the risk of injury to employees. Robotics with AI would complement, rather than substitute, human labor.” ~Janna Lu

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Fake Meat: More Entrée or Agenda?  

– December 5, 2023

“The plant-based alternatives industry appears to be facing its first true market test and doing poorly. It is a much smaller market than producers perceived, due to the noisy signals and political distortions of Conspicuous Production.” ~Phillip W. Magness and Peter C. Earle

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Black Friday 2023 Will Test Consumer Confidence

– November 23, 2023

“Although Black Friday is a day of discounts, rebates, and other sales promotions, examining the price changes in the most-marketed merchandise categories may provide some insights as to what consumers face this year.” ~Peter C. Earle

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