Europe versus America

Europe buys the future, America builds it
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/06/18/europe-buys-the-future-america-builds-it
Does that matter? A high-stakes transatlantic spat has erupted over GDP figures. 

AI Econ

Meet the world’s top AI-pilled economists
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/06/15/meet-the-worlds-top-ai-pilled-economists
Most of them are not found in ivory towers. 

US Equity Markets - Interesting Items

America’s bull market has entered its manic phase
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/06/16/americas-bull-market-has-entered-its-manic-phase
Options markets show optimism is giving way to euphoria.

The Small Investors Behind SpaceX’s Stock Rally
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/business/spacex-retail-investors.html
The company’s blockbuster trading debut is the latest example of how individual investors have become a force in financial markets. 
 
Trillion-Dollar Meme Stocks Are Here. Be Prepared
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/trillion-dollar-meme-stocks-are-here--be-prepared-87447.html

Are We All Active Investors Now?

https://www.fa-mag.com/news/are-we-all-active-investors-now-87455.html
 
Gen Z Traders Go for Broke in Pursuit of a New American Dream
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/gen-z-traders-go-for-broke-in-pursuit-of-a-new-american-dream-87435.html   

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MY TAKE:

The AI bubble could be worse than the dot-com bust by Vivekanand Jayakumar, The Hill - 06/16/26
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/5925202-tech-bubble-ai-driven-growth/

Profile of Financier Ken Griffin

Ken Griffin’s Billions and Billions
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/06/22/ken-griffins-billions-and-billions
The hedge-fund titan is an unabashed big spender, from pièds-a-terre to politics. 

US Small Business Sector

The U.S. Economy Is Leaving These Companies Behind
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/business/economy/small-business-strain-economy.html
Small businesses say relentless pressures from tariffs and higher energy prices have sapped their resilience and finances.  

Fixing Grade Inflation

Whip Grade Inflation Now
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/whip-grade-inflation-now-3bdd1f89
Schools can institute an ‘adjusted GPA’ to devalue A’s when they are too numerous. 

Capital Controls in China

Beijing’s New Message to Its Citizens: Your Money Belongs at Home
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/business/chinese-investors-restrictions.html
Eager to keep capital within its borders, China is restricting the ways individuals can engage with global markets, our columnist writes.