ECONOMICS

Authored by Charles Hugh Smith via OfTwoMinds blog,

Those who came of age after 1982 have never experienced a real recession, and so they're unprepared for anything other than guarantees of rescue and permanent expansion.

The mainstream view is that recession is caused by economic-financial factors. The mainstream view is wrong, for recession is ultimately caused by Wetware1.0–human nature. Human nature–our innate attraction to windfalls and something-for-nothing, (more…)

Authored by Daniel Lacalle,

Market participants started the year with aggressive expectations of rapid and large rate cuts. However, after the latest inflation, growth, and job figures, the probability of a rate cut in March has fallen from 80 to 19%. 

Unfortunately for many, headline figures will support a hawkish Federal Reserve, and the latest comments from Jerome Powell suggest rate cuts may not come as fast as bond investors would like.

For the Federal (more…)

By Mish Shedlock of MishTalk

Prices at fast food restaurants in California are set to jump in April as huge minimum wage hikes kick in. Escalating restaurant prices won’t be limited to California.

Expect to Pay More

California already has some of the highest fast food prices in the nation. Expect to pay still more, and not just in California.

The Wall Street Journal notes Burritos and Big Macs to Cost More in California as Pay Rises

Impact on Joe’s Grill and (more…)