Friday

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

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. 

Headlines are grim.  Russia seems hell bent on establishing a new Iron Curtain.

(Thanks to Professor Chuck for passing on this article which inspired this morning’s note)