Sunday, April 5, 2026

Value versus Growth Stocks in 2026

One of the Stock Market’s Last Havens Is Now at Risk
https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/one-of-the-stock-markets-last-havens-is-now-at-risk-7aa84e5d
Value stocks have outperformed growth stocks by the biggest margin in years.

An Underappreciated Cost of Home Ownership

The Typical U.S. Home Is 44 Years Old—And Needs Tons of Work
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/the-typical-u-s-home-is-44-years-oldand-needs-tons-of-work-a1fd89ea
The costs of home maintenance and upgrades on America’s aging housing stock are vast and rising fast. 

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Airlines Bet on Premium Seats

First-class airline bet is economically well-timed
https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/first-class-airline-bet-is-economically-well-timed-2026-04-02/
It’s also possible that sustained high oil prices could ​hit equity markets hard, leading to a negative “wealth effect” that dents animal spirits and therefore travel ​among the world’s richest ⁠fliers. Still, markets are not quite there yet. And higher fuel costs necessarily call for higher fares. Leaning on those better able to afford it simply makes financial sense. 

Financial Deregulation and Crisis Risk

Although the Trump administration is rightly rethinking the heavy-handed banking measures implemented after the 2008 financial crisis, it is also slashing staff at key regulatory agencies, reducing capital requirements, and pushing through other changes. No matter how you slice it, the odds of a bad ending have risen. 

US Budgetary Priorities

Trump’s Budget Has New Vision for the Government but Not the Deficit
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-federal-budget-spending-deficit-2027-f2ce08ba
The president aims to cut federal jobs and health spending, while extending tax breaks and boosting military outlays. 

Is Adam Smith Still Relevant?

Adam Smith started a revolution 250 years ago. There’s still time to rescue it
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026/02/28/adam-smith-started-a-revolution-250-years-ago/
Shy Scot’s economic theory introduced new way of seeing the world, but free markets are under attack in post-Enlightenment age.
 
Honor Adam Smith by making markets great again
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/03/16/honour-adam-smith-by-making-markets-great-again/
Expecting trading not to be rigged in this day and age seems naïve and almost utopian.
 
The lesson of The Wealth of Nations is not nostalgia but renewal.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/09/adam-smith-250-years-anniversary-free-markets/ 

An Ivy League Education