Now that both presidential candidates have informed the world of their blood pressure and cholesterol counts, here’s hoping the inane campaign coverage turns to topics that really matter to the future of our country and the world.From an economic perspective, it’d be nice for the media to examine both candidates’… Read More

Great economic news yesterday. The Census Department announced that median household income rose 5.2% in 2015. That’s much higher than expected, and the biggest jump since the Great Recession ended. What does it mean? First, that other signs of wage growth aren’t an illusion. Lower unemployment tends to put upward… Read More

Ah, football. Still savoring that first weekend.But my pigskin party was interrupted yesterday by the latest evidence that the average American family is woefully unprepared for retirement.The Economic Policy Institute, CNBC reported, found the average retirement savings of all U.S. families is around $96,000, which is low, and even… Read More

Unemployment is low. Wages are rising. Consumer spending is up. Good news for retailers, right?Not necessarily. Plenty of retailers are getting hammered, and so are their stocks.Times like these are ripe with opportunity, especially for an analyst who knows how to make money on both winners and losers in an… Read More

You know that song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”?For many of us, it’s not about the Christmas season. It’s about a season that begins tonight.Because tonight the NFL season kicks off (Broncos versus Panthers, 8:30 p.m. on NBC).Look, I love baseball; its near-daily games are stitched into… Read More

Two important stories you may have missed: New Pipeline Giant Prepares For Energy Rebound When a sector goes through a brutal correction, weaker companies go broke or get acquired, leaving the strongest ones in great shape for the next growth cycle. An even more compelling story is when strong ones merger—– and that’s… Read More

If you haven’t seen one of the 3,000 headlines proclaiming Labor Day is the real start of the presidential campaign, congratulations. You’ve been spared a potentially painful palm slap to your own forehead.It’s only starting now?This endless campaign has lasted so long that political junkies are starting to host nostalgic… Read More

The August jobs report released this morning was one of the most hotly anticipated all year.That’s because the scores of analysts, economists, reporters and pundits whose own jobs involve opining on jobs reports want to devour it, issue their opinions quickly—and skip town for the long weekend.But investors want to… Read More

Will the Fed raise interest rates in September?Don’t bet on it.Fed leaders are supposed to focus on only two goals: maximizing employment and minimizing inflation. That’s it. That’s their job.But Fed leaders always – always – have an eye on their reputation, and the Fed’s isn’t so hot right now. Read More