http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick? The Retired Investor/@theMarket Sat, 27 Apr 2024 08:08:53 EDT en-us http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4441 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4441 Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:09:00 EDT The S&P 500 bounced by more than 2 percent this week, retracing almost half of the 5 percent decline we have suffered so far in April. The jury is still out on whether this is only a dead-cat bounce or a signal that the downside is over.   It was a week of mixed messages for... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4440 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4440 Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:49:00 EDT It has been a month since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was forced to scrap a system of broker fees that has been in place for a generation. A federal court still must approve the change in June or July, but if it does, it could alter the way Americans buy and sell homes for decades... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4439 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4439 Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:11:00 EDT Geopolitical risk, inflation, higher for longer, rising bond yields, take your pick. There are several reasons for the stock market sell-off. The bad news for investors is that after a counter-trend bounce, the selling should continue.   There are at least half a dozen reasons why... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4438 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4438 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:44:00 EDT If you haven't noticed, the price of large appliances continues to climb. What's worse, in a year or two, many find that the costly smart refrigerator, oven, or washing machine in your kitchen is suddenly plagued with all kinds of problems. What happened to the concept of... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4437 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4437 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:11:00 EDT "One's a dot, two's a line, three's a trend," is how the saying goes. When applied to the inflation data this week, it spelled bad news for the financial markets.   Over the last two months, inflation showed increases in both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4436 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4436 Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:30:00 EDT Recently, several studies, combined with macroeconomic data in both the private and public sectors, have revealed that immigration has benefited the economy in recent years. In a politically charged election year, the facts are often ignored as hyperbole takes over.    In my... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4435 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4435 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:29:00 EDT An important government inflation metric, the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE), for February came in as expected on Good Friday. Since the markets were closed, as investors celebrate the three-day Easter holiday weekend, Monday, April 1, should be... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4434 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4434 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:26:00 EDT Immigration has become a dirty word among Americans. Illegal aliens take the brunt of the nation's animosity, for sure, and are vilified for a long list of crimes that few question. I am one of the few who see a positive side to migrants.   Politicians on both sides of the... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4433 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4433 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 17:21:00 EDT February inflation data showed no progress on inflation. That follows the same kind of readings from the previous month. While two months does not make a trend, the disappointing numbers gave investors pause.   Both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and its cousin, The Producer Price... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4432 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4432 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:50:00 EDT Many Americans are getting a bad case of sticker shock when their check arrives at their favorite restaurants. Higher costs for labor, food, and a variety of other inputs are conspiring to make dining out a luxury item that fewer can afford.   Lest you think that these sky-high...