Minor Issues

Mark discusses how the Federal Reserve and Covid restrictions greatly increased the price of cardboard boxes; but, with online sales softening, we should expect suppliers to shift the raw materials used to make boxes (wood pulp) into the production of other paper goods, such as toilet paper. Because our demand for toilet paper is relatively inelastic, we should see a decline in the price of toilet paper and better availability. The market will reallocate toward consumer wants and lower prices. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark talks about the recent price inflation reports, as well as reports of job openings from private sector job placement companies. Inflation was higher than expected and job openings declined. What will the Fed do? People are making painful adjustments—Domino's reported disappointing sales, because their customers are "eating in". Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark uses Intel Corporation, the computer chip manufacturer, as a barometer of the business cycle. He looks at the stock price in recent years, its production capacity expansion, and the company's very recent cost- and dividend-cutting moves. Check out Mark Thornton's free book, The Skyscraper Curse: And How Austrian Economists Predicted Every Major Economic Crisis of the Last Century: Mises.org/Curse Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark Thornton explains the target as another smokescreen that was originally intended to stabilize monetary policy, currencies, and exchange rates, but has become a justification for inflation and central bank manipulation. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

On the heels of rising stock markets, record low unemployment rates, and even the plunge in the price of gasoline, Mark discusses the latest government economic reports including the hot retail sales numbers, recent increases in the CPI, and the increases in business inventories. What can be made of these confusing numbers? Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark Thornton takes a look back at US stock markets, the national debt, and Fed policy (ZIRP, money supply, and its balance sheet). "After the Boom Must Come the Bust" (Radio Rothbard): Mises.org/MI_06_A Austrian Economic Research Conference: AustrianEconomics.org Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark Thornton looks at how much money Americans will spend on the Super Bowl this year and discusses the accuracy of the Super Bowl Stock Market Indicator. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Mark Thornton discusses the history of record low unemployment rates and the business cycle. See "Unemployment Rate" (UNRATE) from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Mises.org/MI_04_Chart Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Will the Fed be successful with its "Immaculate Disinflation"? Or, will we still have to "pay an even higher price" for their use of Weapons of Massive Monetary Destruction in 2020-21? Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.

Are stock markets in full recovery mode, à la the Fed's Immaculate Disinflation, or is this just a counter-trend rally experienced in most bear markets? Be sure to follow Minor Issues at Mises.org/MinorIssues.