Florida is a particularly pertinent example. Florida has remained open during the entire pandemic, and currently has an unemployment rate below 5%. That's about half of California's Unemployment Rate.
Read moreThe United States Senate calls themselves the world's “Greatest Deliberative Body.” Unfortunately, that's no longer the case. And I'm afraid it hasn't been for some time.
Read moreLate Monday evening, Apple posted an update on their Investor Relations Page. It was the President's Day Holiday, and obviously Apple was anxious to down-play this news. The news was that Apple would have to reduce their Quarterly Guidance. Two factors were reducing Apple sales: the first was slow down in Apple iPhone production due to the Covid-19 Virus affecting China. And the second, related news was that Apple Stores throughout China were closed also due to the pandemic.
Read moreFor those of you who follow this podcast, you know that our primary interest are the financial markets. But sometimes outside events can be so strong, that they affect the world's stock markets. I think this is one of those events. So, today a look at this new Coronavirus. Known to scientist as: 2019 n-CoV, the “Novel” Coronavirus.
Read moreFrom my perspective, the markets are currently living in a time of “known unknowns.” That is we know that there are certain things that will play out in a way we don't exactly know, but we feel comfortable that we can handle any eventuality. In the stock market there is always a whole list of things like this. We don't know, for instance, what the comings corporate earnings will be. But we're comfortable, that they will fall within an anticipated range. Next week we will get the latest number on the Gross Domestic Product, we don't know exactly what that will be, but current estimates are that it will be about the same as the last estimate, a 2.1% growth rate. And we are comfortable with that. Same with interest rates, also announced next week. We're comfortable that they will remain about where they are. And so it goes throughout the financial world right now. We think we know what lies ahead, and we're reasonably assured that it will be a smooth ride ahead.
Read moreIts that time of the year again: the Flu Season. We see it every year at this time, and we try to take all the necessary precautions. If you're more conscientious than I am, you have probably taken a flu shot. My daughter, who works at a local school, told me recently that 40 of their students were home sick. That's a large number for this small school. And we try not to come in contact with any strangers. At Church, our Priest has instructed that there will be no passing of the Peace, until Flu Season is over. Perhaps most surprising to many, even the Stock Market took note of the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus in China, by opening down on Tuesday's opening. And I think that financial markets are right in begin concerned about a possible outbreak of this new strain on Viral Infection.
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