Economics

He wasn’t an economist or even market pundit, but the Greek philosopher Heraclitus might have made a living in the profession were he alive today.  He is known at Atlas for his pithy quote which translates roughly to, “change is the only constant in life.” 

Search online for factoids about water, and you’ll find they flow like a mighty river.   Did you know  it is the only substance on earth to naturally exist in all three states?   Yep, you can always find it somewhere as either a gas, liquid, or solid.   It is also essential to life, making up about 60 percent of each human as well as occupying 71 percent

Superlatives are easy to use but difficult to defend, so Atlas won’t use one here.  We are willing, however, to use a technical phrase when describing 2022: it sucked.  Right out of the gate, the market peaked on the first trading day of the year and then trended lower for the remainder.  A similar pattern developed in the bond market.  Providing the other bookend for

Each year the Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve hosts a symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  It’s a who’s who of economics, finance, and central banking.  The world’s brain trust gathers to enjoy the bears, do some fishing, and see the natural beauty that accompanies any event with the Grand Tetons as a backdrop.  In between sessions with the great outdo

“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

Income and outlays data provide an important and frequent look into the state of our economy.    Of course, income is, for the most part, a necessary condition for spending.  Outlays, in the report on personal consumption expenditures (PCE) represents over two-thirds of our nation’s output.  Both were mixed in October 2020 according to the Bureau of Economic Analy

Our economy oscillates irregularly between expansion or contraction.  It is often illustrated using a stylized symmetric sine wave, demonstrating the virtuous and vicious portions of the economy depending on the direction of the curve.  Unfortunately, the actual cycle is not so smooth. 

Charlie Brown just wants to kick a football.  Yet each time I’ve watched him attempt it, Lucy van Pelt swipes the ball away right as he plants his non-kicking foot.  As the rules of Newtonian Physics kick in, he ends up in a horizontal position before falling to the ground.

Mourning doves are found throughout America and have large populations in most places they reside.  They are a hearty animal, capable of surviving in a variety of conditions, including summers in desert climates.  As you know, deserts are challenging environments.  Relative to other parts of earth, little grows here and that which does is highly adapted.  For these birds to