Friday

Clairvoyance is not part of the Atlas investment algorithm.  Endeavoring just to interpret current data is challenge enough.  In fact, since various agencies and institutions revise past data with some regularity, even seeing the past sometimes proves difficult.  Nevertheless, we do have a crystal ball and dusted it off at the most recent pie party to make some bold predictions.&

Atlas is a peaceful bunch.  We don’t like wars, including those revolving around trade.  But everywhere one looks it seems like nations are turning their backs to one another.  Instead of finding new ways to work together and prosper, countries are looking for new barriers.  This is not just a recent phenomenon.  Brexit started off two years ago as the U.K.

Things fall apart; the center cannot hold – W. B. Yeats

First, happy Friday. You made it through another week and are likely to embark on a long weekend.  Monday is Memorial Day, so Atlas and the markets are closed.  Summer is about to unofficially begin and the driving season along with it.  Many Americans will find themselves at the petrol station filling up as they add miles to the odometer. 

"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future."

Long ago I was told the tale of an ancient shaman who, approached by a woman who seemed incapable of bearing a child, suggested she sleep with her husband on a lion’s hide.  Lo and behold she gave birth shortly thereafter to a son.  A curious friend who also was barren asked her what caused the miracle.  Thereupon she too visited the shaman, was given a tiger’s hide,

America’s central bank increased the overnight interest rate (called the Fed Funds Rate) on Wednesday.  This is the Federal Reserve’s sixth hike since they began raising rates in December 2015.  At the time, Janet Yellen led the institution; four subsequent increases happened under her watch.  On February 5, 2018, Jerome Powell assumed the office, and he now has his f