It seems like at every turn, the effects of the semiconductor shortage can be seen.  An earlier Collar Stocks post touched upon how semiconductor supply chains are no longer ‘Fit For Purpose’ in the automotive industry.  It’s not just about the manufacture of cars- the chip shortage affects about any tech-related product.  In one way or another, semiconductor technology is imbued into many of the products used today.  A [...]

My good friend and colleague Brian Kasal of FourStar just posted a great piece on the century-old dispute over who has the right to brew one of the most recognizable beers in the world- Budweiser. Reading his post brought to mind another famous intellectual property dispute that involved a patent on the machinery invented to produce one of the first ready to eat breakfast cereals, Shredded Wheat.  The inventor, [...]

Despite an uncertain consensus (see The Consensus Outlook on Inflation is… Uncertain!) on the risk for a period of prolonged inflation, a narrative is starting to develop that inflation is actually here.  The real question is whether the inflation is transitory, prolonged, or perhaps something in between. Will it stay or will it go? Here are some inflationary observations by John Cochrane, senior fellow of the Hoover Institution at [...]

Over the last few decades, changing laws, regulations and buying patterns have resulted in a steady increase in sales across the country for small-scale microbrews. Are these craft beer sales steadily rising because younger generations are flexing newly acquired purchasing power to choose brands different than those in previous generations or is it simply that there are significantly more choices available as younger generations have become of drinking age? [...]

The pandemic has exposed the fragility of the global supply chain.  While just about every industry has been hit with logistical or supply  constraints, the automotive sector has been one of the most high-profile industries to get hit with supply issues, especially for semiconductor chips. Vehicles across the entire price spectrum incorporate more technology today for features such as safety, entertainment, and self-driving functionality.  There is also an overall [...]

This is a fascinating topic that my good friend Brian Kasal from FourStar posted on The Leadership Matrix.  Read how research developed by University of Chicago Professor Richard Thaler, the 2017 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, explains how people may not always make the most rational decisions.  Some might even make decisions that aren’t in their best interest, like filling up on bread before a meal… [...]

The ongoing inflation narrative has overshadowed economic policy discussions meant to help the country navigate out of pandemic lockdowns.  While signs may indicate rising prices across the economy, the real question is whether the inflation is transitory or not.  Another factor is how much government stimulus spending may contribute towards lasting inflation. Here are some thoughts from the Chicago Booth’s Initiative on Global Markets.  They asked its U.S. Economic [...]

Talk about the intersection of two worlds! A community of book lovers use the social media platform TikTok to post short video recommendations of their favorite books.  This group, collectively known as ‘BookTok’, has proven to bring new readers to older titles, introduce younger people to reading, and help authors find an audience for their work.  In total, BookTok posts have been viewed more than 12 billion times and [...]

Are the signs of inflation that we currently see transitory or something that is here to stay?  Time will eventually tell.  Here is a good post on the continuing inflation narrative by my good friend Brian Kasal from FourStar.  Read on for some insight! Click here- The Leadership Matrix- The Definition of Inflation If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it on your favorite platform below. [...]

Besides being novel, the nascent crypto market is punctuated with pricing volatility and shrouded in a veil of secrecy.  This combination has been part of the allure for some investors, and it is also increasingly arousing the regulatory watchdogs from governments worldwide.  Only time will tell what regulation in the crypto market will ultimately look like.  One thing for sure- expect more of it! Enjoy the latest post in [...]