You may have heard that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is planning to build five city-owned grocery stores for $70 million that will supposedly offer shoppers deep discounts to market prices on fresh foods like meat and produce, while selling other foods at normal prices. Mamdani will subsidize the 30% discounts with city funds, […]

Government Grocers: No Free Lunch
E.J. Smith

The White House says President Donald Trump is returning to Michigan to highlight what it describes as a resurgence in US auto manufacturing, pointing to billions of dollars in investments and new jobs announced by major automakers. According to the administration, companies including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis are expanding production, adding shifts, and increasing […]

Michigan Auto Manufacturing Revival Takes Center Stage
Dick Young

The US Department of Labor has partnered with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to expand pre-apprenticeship programs and strengthen the nation’s maritime workforce. The initiative supports the Trump administration’s efforts to rebuild America’s industrial base by creating more pathways into skilled shipbuilding careers and addressing growing workforce needs. A key proposal would transform the San Diego […]

HII, Labor Department Team Up to Build Next Generation of Shipbuilders
Dick Young

Amazon has applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to launch a constellation of more than 5,000 satellites by 2028 to provide direct-to-device mobile services, including voice calls, messaging, data, and emergency connectivity. The move marks Amazon’s biggest step yet into satellite-based mobile communications and positions the company to compete more directly […]

Amazon Targets Global Mobile Connectivity With 5,000-Satellite Fleet
Young Research

US senators have reached an agreement on a new sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran, aiming to increase economic pressure on both countries. The legislation is expected to focus on restricting Russia’s energy revenues, punishing entities that support Moscow’s war efforts, and adding measures related to Iran. The revised bill reportedly includes penalties on major […]

Bipartisan Senate Agreement Targets Russia’s Energy Revenues and Iran
Young Research

You know that California is contemplating a tax on residents’ wealth. The tax has already been reported to have driven some of the state’s billionaires to find homes in other states. At the Cato Institute, Adam N. Michel and Chris Edwards discuss the damage such wealth taxes can do, and their growing popularity around the […]

Wealth Tax Fairytales: There Are No Dragons
E.J. Smith

The news media and some market participants aren’t happy with Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s refusal to give up much in the way of forward guidance on what his Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will do at its next meeting. Warsh’s logic for the discontinuance of guidance makes sense. In a market economy, as the […]

SILENT TREATMENT: Market Adjusts to Warsh’s Lack of Guidance
Dick Young

Nearly one-quarter of new light-duty vehicles sold in the United States in the second quarter of 2026 were hybrid, battery electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicles. These vehicles accounted for 24% of new sales, up from 22% in 2Q25, with hybrid electric vehicles reaching a record 16% market share, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported. […]

US Auto Market Moves Toward Electrification, Led by Hybrid Growth
Dick Young

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Electricity Mid-Year Update 2026 forecasts that global electricity demand will continue to grow rapidly, rising by 3.6% in 2026 and 3.8% in 2027. Growth is being driven by electrification, expanding data centers, electric vehicles, air conditioning, and industrial activity. The report expects global electricity consumption to reach about 30,700 terawatt-hours […]

IEA Forecasts Strong Global Electricity Demand Through 2027
Dick Young

Mrima Hill in Kenya’s Kwale County, a forested area that is sacred to the indigenous Digo community, has become the focus of an international race to secure rare-earth and critical minerals used in defense, renewable energy, and advanced technologies. The Kenyan government has shortlisted seven consortiums—including US, Chinese, and Australian-backed groups—to compete for mining rights […]

Global Mining Race Intensifies Over Kenya’s Rare-Earth Treasure
Young Research

Seattle, once a symbol of booming tech growth and economic opportunity, has become one of the most difficult places in the US to find a job, according to Fortune. The city’s downtown office market has suffered a major decline, with more than one-third of office space sitting vacant as remote work, technology layoffs, and weaker […]

Remote Work, Layoffs, and Rising Costs Reshape Seattle’s Economy
Young Research

When I think about Fidelity Investments and you, I’m reminded that it’s a family business and how highly regarded it is in the industry. Not only by Wall Street and others, but more importantly, by past and current employees and customers. That’s a nice home for you. Just ask legendary portfolio manager Peter Lynch, and […]

When I Think about Fidelity Investments and YOU
E.J. Smith

China has launched an aggressive government-backed effort to reduce its reliance on US semiconductor technology and build a self-sufficient artificial intelligence (AI) chip industry. Led by Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, the initiative has centered on companies such as Huawei, which has made significant progress in developing domestic AI chips and expanding China’s chip production despite […]

Inside China’s Race to Catch Up With US AI Chip Technology
Young Research

GE Vernova reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, with double-digit growth in revenue and orders driven by its Power and Electrification businesses, according to Utility Dive. The company’s order backlog reached $176 billion, supported by rising demand for gas turbines, transformers, and grid equipment as utilities and data centers invest in expanding electricity infrastructure. GE Vernova […]

GE Vernova Sees Strong Demand Despite Weak Wind Business
Dick Young

The proposed Constitution Pipeline, backed by President Donald Trump as a way to expand natural gas supplies to New York, is struggling to secure enough long-term customers to support the project. While the pipeline has regained political momentum after years of delays, developers are finding that utilities and other potential buyers have been hesitant to […]

Constitution Pipeline Seeks Long-Term Gas Buyers
Dick Young

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that Mexico’s Energia Costa Azul liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal shipped its first cargo on July 8, marking the start of Phase 1 operations. The new facility adds 0.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of export capacity, tripling Mexico’s LNG export capacity and making it the […]

Mexico’s Energia Costa Azul Begins LNG Exports
Young Research

Your Survival Guy heard that the largest great white shark ever recorded is heading north towards the Cape, reported MSN.com: The largest great white shark ever discovered in the Atlantic Ocean was spotted for the first time in months and is most likely heading toward Cape Cod and then the eastern coast of Canada, according […]

Your Survival Guy and the Largest Great White
E.J. Smith

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is closely monitoring global energy markets as escalating conflict in the Middle East raises concerns over oil and gas supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The situation has increased uncertainty over global energy security, with additional concerns after President Donald Trump warned that any future […]

Global Energy Supplies Hold Steady Despite Middle East Disruptions
Dick Young

The US Department of Labor (DOL) reports that initial applications for unemployment insurance fell to 187,000 (seasonally adjusted) for the week ending July 18, 2026, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week. The four-week moving average also declined to 207,500, indicating a continued easing in new unemployment claims. Meanwhile, insured unemployment remained relatively stable […]

US Unemployment Claims Decline as Labor Market Remains Stable
Dick Young

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. commercial crude oil inventories increased by 2.0 million barrels to 411.7 million barrels for the week ending July 17, 2026, although they remained 6% below the five-year average. Gasoline and distillate fuel inventories also rose but stayed below their five-year averages, while propane/propylene inventories increased significantly […]

Refinery Operations Remain Strong as US Petroleum Inventories Increase
Dick Young