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Markets continued their turbulent ways this week.  One might put the blame on three retail companies which announced earnings that were all weaker than expected.  This matters because they are bellwethers of consumption and therefore the economy, an economy which Atlas believes is becoming Overtaken By Events.

For those that don’t know, I have a senior golden retriever.  She came to us with a great name, Penny Lane, becoming my favorite dog (and I’ve been lucky to have some good ones in my life).  She’s slowing down a bit more this year, but still has lots of energy.  For instance, I spent Mother’s Day weekend at my brother's place in Corona, CA.  Penny

Shhhhhh…Did you hear that?  Policy changes are afoot globally.  Central banks around the world are quickly pivoting their positions on the global economy.  It started Wednesday with America’s Federal Reserve.  But then the Bank of England (BOE) got in on it yesterday.  After years of supporting economic output by creating money, they are starting to reverse

Our economy is hardly flying on one engine, but the international radio distress signal seems appropriate.  Why?  May is right around the corner, and the Federal Reserve will likely begin tightening its monetary policy during the period.  On Wednesday, the central bank unveiled its plan to shrink their balance sheet.

“Slap” seems to be an early contender for 2022’s theme of the year.  Even the most casual reader of news knows of the slap heard around the world at this year’s Academy Awards.  Atlas doesn’t condone violence, but one must acknowledge it left one of the most impressive comedians in the modern era relatively speechless.  A consummate professional, Chr

Housing is a primary driver for wealth here in America.  Many leverage their balance sheets and buy a home, anticipating the value will rise, pushing their net-worth higher.   Take a look at any chart of recent home prices, and it looks like this strategy works.  Yes, there are periods when the values of homes fall (e.g., the Great Financial Crisis), but for the most part th

Inflation is a challenge for any family’s plan to retire.  Ask Tom Brady.  After leaving the NFL last month, he announced a comeback earlier this week.  Could soaring prices have been the driver?  Ok, probably not, especially since he will reportedly earn $25 million for playing the season.

Over on the right-hand side of the periodic table is a column of six elements which collectively comprise the noble gases.  These elements have single-atom molecules and don’t typically interact with others the way, say, two oxygen atoms might with a hydrogen to produce a molecule of water.  Instead, these nobles are content to remain on their own.