David Reavill

It was the mid summer in 1971 when President Richard M. Nixon gathered 15 of the nation's leaders together to discuss the twin problems of high inflation and slow economic growth, what came to be known as "Stagflation."

With all the talk about a slowing economy and President Trump's push for lower interest rates, you may believe that banks and other lenders are making loans more affordable. Regrettably, that's not the case.

It would be years before I learned that Berkshire Hathaway had been taken over by one of the preeminent investors of all time, Warren Buffett. Buffett had identified Berkshire as an undervalued company that made a worthwhile product. And at that time in his evolution as a portfolio manager, Buffett was renowned for buying what some on Wall Street labeled as “cigar-butt” companies. Companies that w...

It's been the burning question since President Donald Trump stepped out in the White House Rose Garden and announced that he was ordering tariffs on virtually all countries, worldwide. Everyone wanted to know just “who would pay for these tariffs?”

On April 2, President Trump announced that the United States would impose tariffs on all its trading partners. He called it "Liberation Day." From his perspective, the day that America would be "freed" from being "ripped off" by other countries' predatory trade practices. The President would go on to tell us that this was an idea he had thought of 40 years ago.

Imagine a situation where nearly four cents of every dollar you earn is taken away, charged as a tax, yet contributes nothing. As a citizen, this charge provides no services, no schools, no national defense, no social services; in the words of economist Lacy Hunt, it is simply a "dead weight loss."

Perhaps the most regrettable aspect of our debates on public policies is our tendency to over-simplify. After all, much of the debate occurs in the media or on the internet, where brevity is prized. Does it fit into a 30-second soundbite? Or a 180-charter tweet?

Since the end of World War II, America has been on the "warpath," a series of regional wars stretching around the globe: first the Korean Police Action, then Vietnam, more recently the Iraq incursion, and this past weekend, the bombing of Iran. These are just the highlights of what has become a steadily growing list of direct and indirect (Ukraine) military incursions into the affairs of opposing...

The answer to that question will be readily apparent to those of a certain age, but a total enigma to our younger fellows. During the entire period of the Cold War, which lasted for more than 40 years from the post-war years until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1992, the overwhelming threat was from a Soviet Nuclear Bomb.

One such market does exist. It's the Foreign Exchange Market (FOREX). On this market, the US Dollar trades against all the other currencies in the world. The St. Louis Federal Reserve tracks the Weekly movements of the US Dollar Index (Nominal), which is available to everyone.

One such market does exist. It's the Foreign Exchange Market (FOREX). On this market, the US Dollar trades against all the other currencies in the world. The St. Louis Federal Reserve tracks the Weekly movements of the US Dollar Index (Nominal), which is available to everyone.

One such market does exist. It's the Foreign Exchange Market (FOREX). On this market, the US Dollar trades against all the other currencies in the world. The St. Louis Federal Reserve tracks the Weekly movements of the US Dollar Index (Nominal), which is available to everyone.

On Friday, June 13 (remember the Jewish day begins at sundown), Israel attacked Iran. In an audacious move, the IDF managed to hit selected nuclear enrichment facilities, as well as assassinate several Iranian military leaders and atomic scientists. The back-and-forth volley of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as drones and fighter jets, continues, with both sides indicating that this wi...

Today, we’ll take a bird’s-eye view of the economy to gain perspective on President Trump’s Economic Policies in light of the Administration’s Budget Proposal, the “Big, Beautiful Bill, now being debated in the US Senate.

Today, we’ll take a bird’s-eye view of the economy to gain perspective on President Trump’s Economic Policies in light of the Administration’s Budget Proposal, the “Big, Beautiful Bill, now being debated in the US Senate.

On April 2, 2025, “Liberation Day,” President Donald J. Trump presented the world with his list of tariffs to be applied to virtually all nations. This was the climax of a process that he had begun a couple of weeks before. He aimed to reduce the annual trade deficit that the United States has endured for years.

On April 2, 2025, “Liberation Day,” President Donald J. Trump presented the world with his list of tariffs to be applied to virtually all nations. This was the climax of a process that he had begun a couple of weeks before. He aimed to reduce the annual trade deficit that the United States has endured for years.

For most of us, COVID feels like a thousand years ago. Vague memories of lockdowns, social distancing, and mask-wearing haunt our memories. Something we would as soon forget. However, for the financial world, the lingering effects of COVID remain very real, impacting our finances daily.

Some of your actions have confused me lately. Three times, I’ve voted for “Trump for President,” and I thought I had a pretty good idea of your finances. However, recently, it’s become apparent that you may be experiencing some financial difficulties and are compelled to take up some part-time work.

Over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Bessent and President Trump suggested that the solution to Walmart’s higher prices is simply to have Walmart pay for the new tariffs.

Over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Bessent and President Trump suggested that the solution to Walmart’s higher prices is simply to have Walmart pay for the new tariffs.

We are the world champions in consumption, mainly due to an outstanding group of retailers that serve our every need. Names like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot provide us with the goods and products that are the envy of the world.

We are the world champions in consumption, mainly due to an outstanding group of retailers that serve our every need. Names like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot provide us with the goods and products that are the envy of the world.

However, for many, life comes with a different perspective, a unique way of seeing things. For the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, all that came into focus yesterday, May 8. The College of Cardinals elected a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV.

However, for many, life comes with a different perspective, a unique way of seeing things. For the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, all that came into focus yesterday, May 8. The College of Cardinals elected a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV.