The lumber futures chart has been one of the most interesting economic price charts to watch over the past year. Lumber prices in the futures market are based on random length construction boards like 2x4s. Since 1978, the price has bounced between $200 and $400, with a brief all-time high of $600 in 2018. However, over the past year, the…

Employment rates, financial support by the US government, debt levels and savings rates are crucial markers of economic health. Sometimes it’s better to skip the front pages of Axios, WSJ, or Financial Times, and go directly to the source to let the numbers speak for themselves. Going directly to the primary sources is a great habit that can help filter…

Value vs. growth is a long-standing debate within the investment profession. For decades, growth critics have pointed to outrageous valuations while voicing uncertainty about future growth prospects. On the other hand, value critics have argued that it’s worth paying higher prices for leading-edge businesses. Over the last year, this debate has become the topic du jour and both parties acknowledge…

We all know about the fabulous returns from venture capital investing. If you were one of the early backers of Facebook, Google or Netflix, your return would be hundreds of times your initial investment. A common complaint among company founders is that early on, they sell too much equity for too little because they need the money for expansion. Venture…

The future of the flying car, eVTOL (electric vertical take off and landing) has gained considerable attention over the past year. Most recently, several SPACs have helped bring eVTOL technology to public markets at multi-billion dollar valuations. Considering the rapid pace of innovation today, it’s worth considering whether the hype matches reality. How should investors think about this emergent flying…

With the $15B Archegos blowup over the weekend creating headlines, it’s a good time to revisit the role that leverage plays in investing. Leverage is a powerful tool that works both ways as it accelerates wins and losses. With the cost of debt at historically low levels, it can be tempting to borrow as much as possible. What types of…

The global pandemic greatly accelerated the adoption of virtual healthcare. Innovative technology in the healthcare sector offers an opportunity to reduce costs while reaching more people in need. Spending on healthcare goods and services is almost four trillion dollars annually, currently 18% of GDP. Let’s take a look at the near-term trends and contributing factors. Exponential evolution There are a handful…

In the ongoing campaign for our attention, content providers have had to reinvent themselves and how they deliver information to their users. As a result, a new generation of news gathering and delivery tools have emerged. Traditional news sources are less than effective. New distribution tools allow creative and thoughtful people to better share their diverse perspectives. Here is a…

In a low-interest-rate environment, the opportunity to generate an extra yield on investments is worth exploring and understanding. As technology has increased access to sophisticated investment tools, individuals with at least $250,000 are able to earn a yield on their investments by “renting” them out to short-sellers. That yield can be as low as .5% annually and over 25% in…