The Fed’s September 17 decision to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down to a range of 4.00–4.25%, was firmly grounded in the data, not just an educated guess. Nonfarm payrolls grew by only 22,000 jobs in the latest report, far below the 2022 monthly average of over 300,000. Unemployment…
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The numbers say it all: over the past decade, technology capital expenditures have been the power source behind S&P 500 earnings growth. When tech giants invest, whether it’s in cloud, semiconductors, or AI, index-level profits follow. Look at the swings: after a historic −32.5% earnings drop in 2020, S&P 500 earnings rebounded by 110% in…
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Today, the Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of the year, lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 4.00%–4.25% (AP News). Alongside this decision, the Fed signaled two more cuts are likely in 2025 and at least one additional cut in 2026. At first glance, cutting rates…
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What is CapEx and Why It Matters Capital expenditures (CapEx) represent long-term investments by companies in assets such as infrastructure, equipment, and technology. These expenditures expand productive capacity and enable firms to capture future revenue streams. In theory, CapEx supports earnings growth because investments create efficiency, scale, and innovation that translate into higher profits. However,…
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After years of research, long nights writing, and more rewrites than I care to admit, I’m thrilled to share that The Intelligent Age is officially out, available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon. We’re living through a transformation unlike anything we’ve seen in a century. This isn’t just about politics or big tech battles. It’s…
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August’s Consumer Price Index data just released, and there’s a lot to unpack for anyone watching inflation, the labor market, or just trying to run a business in 2025. Here’s what stands out: Inflation Snapshot Sector Trends Worth Watching Jobs & Labor Market Who’s Winning, Who’s Losing? Bottom Line:Inflation is still hanging around, but the…
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August’s PPI numbers are a mixed bag for anyone watching inflation. The headline figure slipped –0.1% month-over-month, a reversal from July’s sharp jump. But dig deeper and core inflation (excluding food, energy, and trade) is still running hot, rising 0.3% for the month and 2.8% year-over-year, marking the fourth straight monthly increase. What’s driving the…
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The latest BLS benchmark revision dropped this morning, and the message is clear: America’s job engine is sputtering. Hiring is losing steam, but here’s the twist, this slowdown isn’t a shock. It’s been baked into the story for months: when both labor supply and demand are low, hiring (and firing) flatlines. What’s Dragging Us Down?…
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This morning’s jobs report delivered a wake-up call: only 22,000 payrolls added vs. 75,000 expected. Hiring momentum is stalling, with June marking the first monthly decline since 2020 and the four-month trend pointing one way, down. What’s behind the slowdown? Why it matters: The U.S. jobs engine is sputtering. The next few months will test…
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At the latest Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, China, India, and Russia made their intentions clear: a push for a more multipolar economic order, new energy pipelines, talk of an SCO development bank, and a concerted pivot toward trade and finance outside the U.S. dollar system. This isn’t just posturing.– Russia is physically rewiring its gas…
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