Economic Freedom

Robert Hughes

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5/18/21

Pandemic Pressures Unwinding in Housing

“Home construction activity was mixed in April. While fundamentals remain solid for the housing market, reverting housing preferences and rising single-family prices are likely to restrain future activity.” – Robert Hughes
Joakim Book

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5/18/21

Lift Your Gaze, Please: the April Inflation Overshoot is Not the Problem

“A betting man, if he wants to remain a betting man, updates his priors. So, I side with Jason Bloom at the asset manager Invesco: ‘There is so much dislocation in the economy from the reopening and base effects from a year ago that it will take at least six to 12 months before we…
Ethan Yang

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5/17/21

A Conversation on the Importance of Entrepreneurship

“AIER Authors Corner, Ethan Yang interviews Dr. Eammon Butler, joining us from Cambridge, UK. Dr. Butler co-founded the Adam Smith Institute, which was credited with advising the Thatcher government in its radical market-oriented reforms of British society.” ~ AIER
Art Carden

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5/17/21

Lumber, Labor, and Gas Markets Tell SAD Stories

“As economists emphasize whenever price gouging rules kick in, ignoring what supply and demand analysis has to teach us usually means making the problem worse rather than better.” ~ Art Carden
Peter C. Earle

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5/17/21

Understanding Big Tech Dominance Requires Economics, Not Conspiracy Theories

“Intellectual property laws, not childish conspiracy theories, explain the persistent dominance of Big Tech and social media.” ~ Peter C. Earle
Joakim Book

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5/16/21

To Lean, Clean, or Reign Supreme

“After a decade or more of economic and financial events that put central banks under heavy strain – financial collapse, a slow and timid recovery, the pandemic – strange things are again amiss in financial markets. Broda and Druckenmiller are right to say that ‘the Fed seems to be fighting the last battle.’ Ironically, so…
Robert Hughes

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5/14/21

Fears of Price Instability Pull Down Consumer Sentiment in Early May

“Consumer sentiment fell in early May, driven by fears of rising prices as government lockdown policies are eased and economic activity picks up.” – Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes

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5/14/21

Industrial Output Rises in April Despite Weakness in Autos

“Industrial output rose for a second consecutive month in April, recovering from a weather-related drop in February; the sector still has a way to go until pre-pandemic levels of output. In general, cessation of government restrictions on consumers and businesses is boosting the economic outlook.” – Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes

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5/14/21

Retail Sales Stall in April, But Remain Well Above Trend

“Retail sales were mixed in April but a reopening economy and improving fundamentals suggest a strengthening economic outlook.” – Robert Hughes
Michael Fumento

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5/14/21

Liberals Turning Against the Lockdown Left

“The left, including the U.S. mainstream media, has always pushed a hysterical approach to both Covid spread and severity. But chinks in the armor are now appearing as it becomes clear that many want a permanent Covidocracy – lockdown forever and ever, amen.” ~ Michael Fumento