Like much of the last 24 months, recent economic data has been strange. How can the economy be slowing down and employers still not able to find workers? What is keeping people from going back into the workforce? Is it a generational issue or an inflection point in the US economy? In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney and John discuss the large numbers of jobs available despite two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.

The Mega Millions jackpot is one of the largest in history. People across the country are gobbling up tickets and dreaming about what they would do if they won. However, is it worth the money? After all, the chances of winning the jackpot at 1 in 302.5 million. So, is playing the lottery hope, fantasy or foolishness? In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the Mega Millions jackpot and what they would do, if anything, if they were the lucky winner.

The headlines suggest the world is falling apart at the seams. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to economic crises in many emerging economies to increased tension in the South China Sea, it seems the US is stumbling from one problem to another. However, did we get to this point and what should the US do about today’s angst? Is it even our problem any longer, and should we let the rest of the world deal with its own problems?In today’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the current global turmoil, America’s role in helping create it, and what we can do to solve it.

With inflation currently at 40-year highs, there is no shortage of explanations why this has happened. Folks have blamed Russia and Vladimir Putin. Fingers have wagged at supply chain inefficiencies. People have wrung their hands over our handling of the COVID pandemic. Then, there are those who argue corporations are taking advantage of inflation by gouging customers in order to goose profits. They call this “greedflation.” However, aren’t companies supposed to maximize their profits? This week Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the concept of greedflation and whether or not such a thing even exists.

A recent Gallup poll suggests Americans have lost confidence in most major public and private institutions. While this has been a long-term trend, it seems to have accelerated significantly over the last several years. Folks don’t trust the government, organized religions, big business, you name it. But why? It is a lack of leadership OR is how we consume information the culprit?

In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the current crisis in confidence gripping the country. Is there anything we can do to reverse the trend?

With inflation eating away at consumers’ wallets and pocketbooks, how has our morning routine changed? Are we still using the same products to help make us look presentable in public and the workplace? At what point does the average American worker, especially females, admit defeat to rising prices and decide to make changes to how they get ready? Is there a point? Or does getting ready provide a boost to mental health in today’s increasingly topsy-turvy world?In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the soaring price of looking good. Will they trade perspectives about how much is truly necessary to spend on getting ready?  

Cryptocurrencies have fallen dramatically over the last several months. Is the beginning of the end for the things? Or is it the end of the beginning? Are there are generational considerations when determining whether crypto is going to be an ongoing asset class or is it just a flash in the pan? Albeit a very hot one. In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss how cryptocurrencies have lost their luster. Will they ever get it back? Does age have anything to do with it?

Temperatures are higher, and storms seem a little more severe. Does this keep you up at night? Do you have eco-angst? The WHO says a lot of people do, but is this really the case? If so, what can we do about it? In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the growing trend of eco-anxiety and ways to combat it. Are there generational differences, and who gets thrown under the bus in the end?

As employers continue to struggle to find employees, concepts like a 4-day workweek are getting attention in order to attract workers. How practical is this trend? How good is it for the employer? How good is it for the employee? Will it produce the desired results and become the default for workers in the future? In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the concept of the 4-day workweek. Are there any generational differences? Or is everyone in lockstep?

This week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted she was wrong last year when she said inflation wasn’t a concern. While a surprising admission from an Administration official, this was a statement of the obvious. However, shouldn’t we have all seen inflation coming down the pike? After all, creating money out of thin air and throwing it at the economy is usually a good way to goose prices. So, what’s next? This week, Sam, Courtney, and John discuss the now non-transitory inflation. Just what were the causes, and how long will it last?