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Stock Market

How would you identify a "flight to safety" ? There has been a lot of flight to safety but the calculations for the DXY are against the "market basket" of other currencies. In those countries that make up the market basket there were flights to safety for each country.
Even tracking the DXY against "gold" won't work since so much gold is simply paper gold.

Gold buying by central banks reached its highest level in 55 years this February 2023, according to the World Gold Council.
Was sinking 10% of my investments every month (including my 401K) into gold.

I’ve upped that to 25%

Not trying to beat the market or anything fancy; purely a hedge.
 
Was sinking 10% of my investments every month (including my 401K) into gold.

I’ve upped that to 25%

Not trying to beat the market or anything fancy; purely a hedge.
Nothing wrong with hedging. As I read to the doomers talk about how *this time* Fannie and Freddie will fold and the government is going to let them fail I threw some money at AGNC and NLY once again. The harder a recession pounds in the better they do as a flight to safety. Most of the agency MBS investment world chases book value and with rates up the share price has been pounded. Getting paid ~14% dividend yield on my cost b/t the 2 to wait out the rip up in share prices once the interest rate cycle reverses. Very well could go lower and expect it to with any more subsequent hikes, but it's close enough to the bottom for me to take the income and wait.
 
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Interesting market updates:
- Chinese authorities requested mutual funds to avoid selling equities; market waits news on new stimulus
- Over 5% of new car sales in 23 countries are now fully EV with Canada, Spain, Australia, and Hungary joining the list this year
- Dallas FED manufacturing activity report to be released at 10:30am
 
Interesting market updates:
- Chinese authorities requested mutual funds to avoid selling equities; market waits news on new stimulus
- Over 5% of new car sales in 23 countries are now fully EV with Canada, Spain, Australia, and Hungary joining the list this year
- Dallas FED manufacturing activity report to be released at 10:30am
So, more EV sales "mandated" and "regulated" by political bodies; that does not mean it is the solution for America. A solution for San Franciso and New York is not a solution for rural GA where I live.
 
I don’t see why not. What can’t you be comfortable charging at home and have 250+ miles of range in a rural area?
I shoot PRS and other events. PRS ranges = middle of nowhere and no charging stations. 250 mile range will not get me to match and back. Limited charging network when away from big interstates. Do not want to wait on charging station queue or pay the $$ to charge (electric not cheaper than gas away from home charger).
 
I shoot PRS and other events. PRS ranges = middle of nowhere and no charging stations. 250 mile range will not get me to match and back. Limited charging network when away from big interstates. Do not want to wait on charging station queue or pay the $$ to charge (electric not cheaper than gas away from home charger).

Okay, very specific situation. My relatives in the country do not face that same problem.
 
Okay, very specific situation. My relatives in the country do not face that same problem.
Lots of people in rural America drive long distances for work, hobbies, whatever. This becomes a Red County vs Blue County issue. Urban America, EVs may be the solution. Rural America, maybe not. One issue with EVs is that there are few "cheap" EVs. If dramatically cheaper EVs were available, then I can see a two-car solution for rural America - one traditional vehicle (probably truck/big SUV) and one "cheap" EV for errands less than 150 miles. If your beloved Tesla would come out with a dramatically cheaper EV for a US market, they would sell lots of them. However, I suspect that Tesla prefers the higher margin of the more expensive EVs.
 
Unions are in focus across the country as more workers threaten industrial action and strikes continue to impact entire industries. Joining the train in 2023 have been pilot associations at major airlines like American (AAL) and Southwest (LUV), the Teamsters Union at UPS (UPS), Workers United at Starbucks (SBUX) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at Spirit AeroSystems (SPR). Don't forget the damaging walkout that continues to plague Hollywood - with both writers and actors conducting a historic double strike.

Bigger picture: Many workers feel compensation and conditions have worsened over the past three years despite bumper corporate profits since the pandemic. Besides pay not keeping up with the rising cost of living, employees might see a moment of leverage in a tight labor market, while big changes are threatening control of entire industries (think EVs/autos, or AI and the screenwriting process). A contagion effect is also rippling across sectors as employees see better working terms and pay hikes occur after companies come to the bargaining table, while new union leadership and younger members continue to push for stronger deals.

The latest case in the spotlight is the United Auto Workers union, which has landed approval from workers at Ford (NYSE:F), General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) to strike if a new contract is not worked out before Sept. 14. A work stoppage by its 150,000 workers could result in an economic loss of more than $5B in just 10 days, according to the Anderson Economic Group, given current inventories and the manufacturing environment. Auto stocks have typically traded higher following resolution and contract ratification in the past - in what has typically been a recovery from aggressive selloffs during the contract talks - but some carmakers may be at more risk than others.

Wall Street Breakfast 8/28/2023

As all these wages go up, then costs of goods and services keep going up = more inflation. Consumers need to stop buying. Cold turkey - buy food, pay mortgage, pay utilities. If the consumer just stops buying cars, clothes, and so on then market will collapse and we can stop the death of a thousand cuts.
 
Biden's "Let's create some fucking inflation act" pumping $7000 taxpayer dollars into EV sales isn't right or sustainable. Battery replacement costs are starting to infect the market.
I think we need the newer battery tech sooner than later.
Ok, I say blowing tax payer money isn't sustainable, but we all know it's like hookers and blow. They go on and on in DC.

Edit:. "Workers United at Starbucks"?? Starbucks has a union?
 
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Okay, very specific situation. My relatives in the country do not face that same problem.
 
Just left grocery lot with Tesla charging banks in Tampa. Tesla's parked around the parking lot waiting to charge b/f storm. Didn't count, but would say 30 or so cars with 6 chargers.
I lived in Savannah GA for decades. Saw multiple hurricane events where Florida residents evacuated north through Georgia plus south Georgia residents evacuating north. If we have a major Florida/south Georgia evacuation now, there will be Teslas abandoned all along the interstates.
 
For anyone who bought any hotel REITs during covid lows b/c 'the world will never go back to normal' and 'it's over'. Yahoo! Fortunately still plenty of good yield to replace it, but preferred's will be closed out at $25 par value.


Holy smokes 2 in one day. Looks like RPT will remain outstanding and if so I'll be keeping it as this is a fantastic marriage.

 
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Wife and I live 120 miles from the kids/grandkids, EV would require charging there just for a day visit, one of which is in a town with zero chargers, not to mention subzero temps and >50mph headwinds being commonplace for six months a year. Wife commonly has to commute 110 miles each way to the main office, once or more each week, with no charging anywhere near the office. I have a 3/4 ton work truck I take home for responding to incidents up to 100 miles away in the sticks, definitely not charging it at my house and there’s no charging stations in the canyons I work in.

No, EV is far from the solution for rural or even anyone that wants to take a road trip while spending less than three hours a day at a charging station.

#CoalLivesMatter
#EnergyCapitolOfTheWorld
 
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Was sinking 10% of my investments every month (including my 401K) into gold.

I’ve upped that to 25%

Not trying to beat the market or anything fancy; purely a hedge.
Exactly.... I ruffle a few feathers when I say "Get away from the USD."....
I can not agree with the Government Numbers on inflation, for several reasons.
The Government omits pre-pandemic data in their computations of inflation.
Pre-pandemic I was close to buying a dump trailer ($4,000) that I could pull behind my F-350 to use for various projects on my homestead.
During 2023 that exact same trailer is going for $10,000 - $12,000+.
Inflation has gone up 150% - 200%...
In "Poor Man's Logic"... I could have bought two trailers, put one up on blocks, run one trailer and sold the second one during 2023 and paid off the first one with profit from inflation.

Double check my math.... :ROFLMAO:
 
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Guys keep in mind, we could see a situation where equities fall and bonds fall. This would be a hard landing with rising inflation.
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Exactly.... I ruffle a few feathers when I say "Get away from the USD."....
I can not agree with the Government Numbers on inflation, for several reasons.
The Government omits pre-pandemic data in their computations of inflation.
Pre-pandemic I was close to buying a dump trailer ($4,000) that I could pull behind my F-350 to use for various projects on my homestead.
During 2023 that exact same trailer is going for $10,000 - $12,000+.
Inflation has gone up 150% - 200%...
In "Poor Man's Logic"... I could have bought two trailers, put one up on blocks, run one trailer and sold the second one during 2023 and paid off the first one with profit from inflation.

Double check my math.... :ROFLMAO:
I just do not understand investing in gold or other precious metals. If stock market etc. just goes to nothing, I cannot see me buying gas or groceries with slivers of gold.
 
I just do not understand investing in gold or other precious metals. If stock market etc. just goes to nothing, I cannot see me buying gas or groceries with slivers of gold.
I understand your perspective. No one has a clear view of the future. Look back at some of the shortages during our life time. In the 80's a 1 oz Gold Eagle was around $400. Look at the toilet paper shortage during the pandemic. Look at the Hunt Brother's attempt at controlling the silver market.

There are no sure fire options in this world today.
 
Just left grocery lot with Tesla charging banks in Tampa. Tesla's parked around the parking lot waiting to charge b/f storm. Didn't count, but would say 30 or so cars with 6 chargers.
The question is why are they not charging at home or did they travel from Miami? When I lived in Louisiana, we would often have multi-hour waits for the only gas station in a 15-mile radius. While back at home, we had electricity. No one method is ideal when SHTF.


Ford CEO has reality check on road trip with Ford Lightning

all bullish for Tesla
 
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The question is why are they not charging at home or did they travel from Miami? When I lived in Louisiana, we would often have multi-hour waits for the only gas station in a 15-mile radius. While back at home, we had electricity. No one method is ideal when SHTF.
Haven't the foggiest idea. Only question I'd ask for the Miami crowd is why on earth would someone from Miami cross the state to leave for northbound destinations? Unless someone just wanted to add an extra 2+ hours to their trip. Maybe that's an EV thing trying to stretch trips out to last longer?
 
I understand your perspective. No one has a clear view of the future. Look back at some of the shortages during our life time. In the 80's a 1 oz Gold Eagle was around $400. Look at the toilet paper shortage during the pandemic. Look at the Hunt Brother's attempt at controlling the silver market.

There are no sure fire options in this world today.
Just FYI. I retired from a major pulp and paper company that makes a LOT of toilet paper. Toilet paper "shortage" is interesting - toilet paper comes off as a giant roll off paper machine. It is then "converted" into smaller rolls for your house or for "commercial" market - bathrooms at malls, airports, restaurants, etc. Issue became "converting" not paper itself. Very efficient converting systems but the "house" toilet paper market surged while the "commercial" toilet paper market went to almost zero. Half the converting lines were "wrong" but as soon as the crisis passed the commercial market would return.
 
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Just FYI. I retired from a major pulp and paper company that makes a LOT of toilet paper. Toilet paper "shortage" is interesting - toilet paper comes off as a giant roll off paper machine. It is then "converted" into smaller rolls for your house or for "commercial" market - bathrooms at malls, airports, restaurants, etc. Issue became "converting" not paper itself. Very efficient converting systems but the "house" toilet paper market surged while the "commercial" toilet paper market went to almost zero. Half the converting lines were "wrong" but as soon as the crisis passed the commercial market would return.
That is a good example of looking into the future.
Being at the right place at the right time will make a man some money.
This big run up of the market since the end of the pandemic has made a lot of money for a lot of people.
For other's it is simply a big bear trap.
 
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The question is why are they not charging at home or did they travel from Miami? When I lived in Louisiana, we would often have multi-hour waits for the only gas station in a 15-mile radius. While back at home, we had electricity. No one method is ideal when SHTF.




all bullish for Tesla
Louisiana is a different world. Don't compare it to anything else. A coonass in a pirogue can survive a Class 4 hurricane while a Yankee will drown in a bath tub.
;)
 
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I lived in Savannah GA for decades. Saw multiple hurricane events where Florida residents evacuated north through Georgia plus south Georgia residents evacuating north. If we have a major Florida/south Georgia evacuation now, there will be Teslas abandoned all along the interstates.
And now the weather reporters are showing a hurricane hitting Florida then curling over Georgia, South Carolina. Will be very interesting to see if/when evacuations ordered and impact on the EVs. Wonder how many Tesla owners will garage their toys and rent evil gas vehicle to evacuate?
 
And now the weather reporters are showing a hurricane hitting Florida then curling over Georgia, South Carolina. Will be very interesting to see if/when evacuations ordered and impact on the EVs. Wonder how many Tesla owners will garage their toys and rent evil gas vehicle to evacuate?
Zone A evac(on the water) hit about an hour ago for Tampa Bay area. People spastic as usual it's hilarious to watch. Will take a trip up the street this evening to check out the global swarming charger line
 
I also just this past Saturday bought a new gasser pickup to crawl the back roads and mountains with, definitely no charging stations at 10k Ft altitude. I do, however, strongly support and encourage city dwellers to go EV and stay there.

#WyomingIsFull

This…100%.

We sold our lakefront ‘retirement’ property earlier this year to pay off our current home + additions/improvements, and still have enough $ left over to buy 20 acres or so out in the middle of nowhere. Our curent home on just over an acre used to be pretty far ‘out in the country’, but urban sprawl has brought the Golden Horde ever closer to my doorstep. Only advantage is that we’re behind a gate (I know it’s just a tripwire, not real security), 2+ miles off any major roads at the top of a ridge line, so people really need to want to to see us to get here.

My maps for the future plot of land all start with 250-mile ring around major cities; anything inside those rings are non-starters. Mass movement to EVs makes it less likely I’ll need to make those rings 300-miles in diameter! LoL
 
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One more company gathering info on you (at no cost), packaging it and selling it to the highest bidder.
I feel a photo of my place is worth something to me.
If an oil company wants the oil under my property, they buy it.
This is how Square, Inc (now block) made millions of $$$.
 
EVs are designed to make it easy to control the movement of the people. The power grid is remotely controlled. No power, no EV travel. Those who believe they are the favoured class are fine with EVs.
Well you are headed in the right direction of thought.

Your assumption is that the grid can support a large ev base of vehicles. It can not. Our infrastructure is in shambles. Electric generation plants are closing with no replacements in the pipe.

So…..

Just exactly how will this “ big surge” in ev’s be getting charged?
 
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Well you are headed in the right direction of thought.

Your assumption is that the grid can support a large ev base of vehicles. It can not. Our infrastructure is in shambles. Electric generation plants are closing with no replacements in the pipe.

So…..

Just exactly how will this “ big surge” in ev’s be getting charged?
They won’t. That is the goal. The government will claim unawareness and “try harder to do better” while happily continuing to groom citizens for their eventual rogering.
 
Well you are headed in the right direction of thought.

Your assumption is that the grid can support a large ev base of vehicles. It can not. Our infrastructure is in shambles. Electric generation plants are closing with no replacements in the pipe.

So…..

Just exactly how will this “ big surge” in ev’s be getting charged?
I built power plants...
If all the planets were aligned (equipment, transmission lines, craftsmen, permitted land, high pressure natural gas supply line, etc) it would take 3 years to commission a natural gas fired power plant. 6 years to bring a coal burner on line and 20 years to bring a nuke on line. The Chinese can do all of those in half the time. The US Government is the biggest road block. When an American family hit's the light switch and the light's don't come on.... The least of their worries will be charging an electric car.
 
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They won’t. That is the goal. The government will claim unawareness and “try harder to do better” while happily continuing to groom citizens for their eventual rogering.
Ah yes.

This one has a clue.

WTO

You will own nothing and be happy.

Deny one ( or yet enemy ) the freedom of movement and you have a fair amount of control over the situation and how to manage it.
 
Panic:

All American banks with at least $100 billion in assets would be subject to the new requirement, which makes them hold a layer of long-term debt to absorb losses in the event of a government seizure, according to a joint notice from the Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 
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Release Date: 8/1/2023
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. STIHL Inc., in collaboration with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, is fostering the next generation of skilled manufacturing workers one teenage camper at a time. On July 26-29, the company hosted 34 high school students at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach for its ninth Manufacturing Technology Summer Camp. This marked the first year the camp has been held since 2019, returning with a forward-looking theme: “Lighting the Future.”


“This camp is a great way to promote local manufacturing and introduce students to careers in a field that they may not otherwise have exposure,” said Lorraine Amesbury Holder, senior vice president of operations at STIHL Inc. “Not only do the students walk away from this camp learning about STIHL Inc., this camp leaves students excited about pursuing careers in manufacturing after they graduate, helping STIHL Inc. and other companies fill their future positions.”