An empty suit is generally defined as an executive, manager or official regarded as ineffectual, incompetent, or lacking in leadership qualities such as creativity and empathy. Companies can also be empty suits if they lack a clearly defined purpose or a viable business model.  Just as judging a potential employee’s potential is difficult, and prone … Continued

The world is in the middle of a major energy dilemma.   Rising prices and reduced availability of natural gas have forced a shift to increased dependence on coal generated electricity. Even before the war in Ukraine, many countries were turning to coal, probably the dirtiest fossil fuel, to meet the increasing demand for electric power.  … Continued

It seems that depends on who you ask.  The Wall Street Journal, in a recent editorial, made a strong case for the importance of naval power in an increasingly dangerous world.  On the other side, Congresswoman Rashida Talib, in a response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, said “we can’t seek peace by … Continued

Drill, baby, drill was a 2008 Republican campaign slogan, that may have made sense at the time, but it’s too late now.  Sky rocketing energy prices, due to a combination of causes, including increases in demand, the war in Ukraine and political and environmental pressure on producers, are becoming a significant problem.  Unfortunately, there are … Continued

Wikipedia defines hypochondria as a condition in which a person is excessively and unduly worried about having a serious illness.  Hypochondriacs become unduly alarmed about any physical or psychological symptom they detect, no matter how minor the symptom may be, and are convinced that they have, or are about to be diagnosed with, a serious … Continued

The phrase, guns or butter, sometimes stated as guns and butter, refers to the political dynamics in a federal government’s allocation to defense versus social programs, when deciding on a budget.  Both areas can be critically important to a nation’s economy and election outcomes.  Historically, the electorate has tended to favor social programs.  However, this … Continued

Perhaps not the best slogan for an advertising campaign, but may reflect the current, and perhaps near term, status of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to internal combustion engines (ICE).  This may continue to be an issue as the world’s vehicle industry begins to roll out a significant number of new EVs.  Initial demand, based on … Continued

John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate change, recently said, “We’re in trouble, I hope everyone understands that.” He went on to say, “The world is not on a good track to meet a global goal to avoid the worst impacts of climate change”.  Actually, we may be going in the wrong direction.  Both … Continued

To paraphrase Lee Iacocca’s sales pitch, “If you can find a better car, buy it”.  This is how the economy works.  There has been considerable media focus on the so called “Great Resignation”, a term created to describe the large number of people who are quitting their current jobs. The important thing for investors to … Continued

The administration is currently in the process of approving a $52 billion dollar infusion into the computer chip industry, in order, they would have us believe, to address the current shortage of chips.   It is generally accepted that it takes about two years to add significant chip capacity.  The worldwide industry is currently making … Continued

Investors are continuously subject to extravagant projections by those who are seeking to attract financing.  These can range between borderline, or even outright fraud, think Theranos, or relatively minor, and often unintentional estimate shortfalls, such as a slippage of time lines.  Think the ever shifting timeline for the start of production for Tesla’s cyber truck … Continued

It is generally accepted that, over the last two years, a significant number of Americans have left the workforce for a wide variety of reasons. As a result, workforce participation has seen a material decline. Among those who have left, it appears that a number chose early retirement, perhaps over health concerns or because a … Continued