A week before Trump begins his second term, U.S. stock and bond markets are rebelling. But against what? I’ll explain below. Stocks initially rose after Trump won the 2024 election, but all three major indexes (the Dow Industrial Average, Standard and Poor’s 500, and NASDAQ) are now belo[...]
Archive for the ‘Business’ Category
January 9th, 2025 - 8:23 pm § in Business, Environment
America’s insurance crisis
To millions of home and car owners, the first indicate of a crisis was steep premium increases in 2023 and 2024. Some had their policies canceled, while others found they could only get insurance through state-sponsored insurance pools where premiums are higher and coverage scantier. Insurance compa[...]
January 8th, 2025 - 10:35 pm § in Business
REI shutters classes and guided trips
REI, the Seattle-based outdoor member co-op, announced (here) on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, that it’s closing down its money-losing “Experiences” division, which includes classes and guided tours. “The Co-Op,” as REI is known, said this business decision will eliminate[...]
The unauthorized Elon biography (video)
In this podcast, the co-hosts explain why they think Elon Musk isn’t a genius but rather a weirdo from a family of weirdos. Return to The-Ave.US Home Page[...]
Don’t buy gas in Ohio (video)
Because you may be buying gas with water in it, and expensive repairs. Two other states don’t test gasoline quality, either: Alaska and Nebraska. Aren’t you glad you live in Washington, a state with strong consumer protection laws? (Read story here and watch video below.) Return to The-A[...]
Biden caps bank overdraft fees at $5.00
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a new banking rule on Thursday, December 12, 2024, that caps bank overdraft fees at $5.00 beginning October 1, 2025. It may not last long. Huffington Post says (here) the new regulation “faces an uncertain future under President-elect Dona[...]
December 12th, 2024 - 5:07 pm § in Business, Law and Courts
Is this a threat or not?
A Florida woman whose insurance claim was denied called the company and said, ““Delay, deny, depose. You people are next.” The company called the FBI, who referred the case to local police, who went to her home and arrested her. She’s charged with threatening a mass shooting. Will cr[...]
What Musk will get for investing $250 million in Trump’s election
Elon Musk spent over $250 million to elect Trump in 2024. It’s an investment, not a donation. He’ll get that back many times over from tax breaks and government contracts. He’ll also get priceless influence over government policy, and an end to half a dozen investigations of his co[...]
How enforcing antitrust laws might change under Trump
When a Republican president replaces a Democratic president, you expect a drastic shift in how America’s antitrust laws are enforced. Specifically, you expect Republicans to be more lax about enforcing them. America’s stable of antitrust laws sprang from the monopolistic abuses of the la[...]