Eyeing The Week Ahead

Image Source: PixabayMy daughter’s school has had an annual event for first graders for years around the holidays. It goes like this: A teacher is baking gingerbread cookies, and when she isn’t paying attention, three of the cookies make a jailbreak across campus. The first-grade class runs from building to building, all the while looking for clues about where the cookies went.They visit the old estate where the principal works, they visit the head of the lower school, and they eventually make their way to a room where a television sits. Here, they watch security footage.On-screen, they see three cookies running away down a hallway. Everyone is excited, and they keep running around campus. Then, upon arriving back at the original classroom, the gingerbread cookies had returned to the baking sheet. They can end their long search.All of the children cheered — except for one. My daughter. She was paying attention – to the point that even the adults weren’t.She raises her hand, and in front of everyone, she notes that the gingerbread cookies on the surveillance camera were decorated. But the ones on the baking sheet were not. “You’re right,” the teacher said quickly and dismissively. “Maybe they’re still on the loose.”It seems my daughter has the same “soft eyes” as Detective Bunk Moreland on The Wire. That will eventually pay off. But at six? It can only get her in trouble. I think it’s fair to say she gets this from me. So, what am I noticing about this week that might go overlooked? Let’s explore.

Monday, Dec. 9, 2024

The luxury homebuilder is set to report amid 6%+ mortgage rates and home prices that likely make your eyes water.Their earnings and guidance are a crystal ball for the high-end housing market, which has defied gravity longer than their customers’ architect fees. While the rest of America chooses between a mortgage payment or eating, Toll’s clients debate a new wine cellar or a meditation room.Will rich people finally notice interest rates exist?

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024

GameStop earnings: where fundamentals go to die, and Reddit dreams live forever. I can’t believe this is still a thing. The local GameStop around the corner from me (where I bought my daughter baseball cards) has just one employee.As a side note, I’m going to be getting a biopsy that morning. You’ll still get your articles, but I might look awful while writing them.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024

CPI day – when we find out if inflation is still eating our lunch money. Powell’s probably got his finger hovering over the “pivot” button, but inflation’s been stickier than a toddler with a lollipop.I keep reading that Trump’s policies will bring a lot of inflation. We should concern ourselves with the threat of deflation or at least disinflation from the Bessent 3-3-3 pledge, which requires a strong dollar that fuels deflation abroad.

Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024

I’ve already purchased the Berkshire Class B share for Amelia—an annual tradition. However, the SRH Total Return (STEW) is looking better and better, with a 21% discount on its net asset value and huge access to a pool of Berkshire stock.

Friday, Dec. 13, 2024

This looks to be the perfect timing for an EV company to report – on the spookiest day of the year. Polestar will explain why being backed by Volvo and Geely isn’t enough to make money selling electric cars. This stock trades at 15 cents. Would I ever invest in this? Absolutely not.More By This Author:Critics… Critics EverywhereHow To Not Die PennilessHurry Up and Wait