Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Manufacturing expands in May; April construction expands nominally, but only data center construction in real terms

 – by New Deal democrat May data started out as usual with the ISM manufacturing index. Plus, as a bonus, official government data is finally back on schedule, only 7 months after the end of the shutdown! By which I mean to say, April construction spending was also released, on time. To cut to the chase, […]

Sunday thought: It’s Still Capital vs. Labor, Stupid

Actually posted on Monday, Before I went on to other things in business, I used to consult with Ingersoll Engineers as the MRPII and materials control guru. The main thrust by Ingersoll was Direct Labor in manufacturing was a small portion of the total cost. Materials was the greater cost. Going after the later made […]

Case Dismissed

It appears it finally happened. Trump looking for revenge driven justice agenda backfired on him. Mybe the right word to use here is vindictive. Trump is well known for seeking some type of revenge. He plays his desire so openly, it is difficult to be ignored. “U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw considered the defendant’s […]

New Deal Democrats Weekly Indicators for May 25 – 29

My Weekly Indicators for May 25 – 29 is up at Seeking Alpha, New Deal democrat The split between the portion of the economy being driven by AI-related production and profits and the broad consumer economy continues to stand out starkly. But as I have pointed out often in the past many months, there is […]

Taking his Cut

I am not sure what one would call a real activist president when it comes to the United States . . . anymore. For example and one of the best examples . . .”Under FDR, the American federal government assumed new and powerful roles in the nation’s economy, in its corporate life, and in the […]

April new home sales: prices somnolent, an interesting wrinkle in inventory

– by New Deal democrat The final note from yesterday’s data is concerning new home sales, and more importantly at the moment, prices. As a general refresher, new home sales are perhaps the most leading of all housing data; but they are very volatile and heavily revised, which is why I pay more attention to […]