Eyepopping Factory Construction Boom in the US: Chip Makers on Forefront, but CHIPS Act Funds Not Even Released Yet by Wolf Richter • Feb 3, 2024 • 83 Comments Supply-chain chaos, edgy US-China relations, and scary dependence on China triggered a rethink, now showing up as investments in manufacturing plants.
Despite Alphabet’s Layoffs at Google, Headcount Increased for Second Quarter in a Row. But the Huge Hiring Binge Is Over by Wolf Richter • Feb 1, 2024 • 47 Comments As Powell said, the labor market is rebalancing; it’s still tight, but it’s not out of whack anymore.
Did the $5-Billion Acquisition of Homebuilder MDC Holdings by Japan’s Sekisui House Mark the Top for Homebuilder Stocks after the Rate-Cut-Mania Rally? by Wolf Richter • Jan 24, 2024 • 29 Comments With uncanny precision?
D.R. Horton Sheds Some Light on the Massive Costs of Mortgage Rate Buydowns as a Hedge Went Awry. Stock Tanks by Wolf Richter • Jan 24, 2024 • 86 Comments The plunge in mortgage rates in Nov and Dec blew up the hedge for the rate buydowns: surprise cost on top of the regular costs of buydowns.
Another Online Used-Car Dealer Bites the Dust: Vroom, 3.5 Years after Red-Hot IPO, Shuts Down as Ally Suspends Credit Line by Wolf Richter • Jan 23, 2024 • 66 Comments The SPACs Shift Technologies and Carlotz are already dead. Carvana is still out there, after its distressed debt exchange.
US Movie Ticket Sales -46% in 2023 from 21 Years Ago: AMC and the Movie Theater Meltdown by Wolf Richter • Jan 22, 2024 • 135 Comments Americans have changed how they watch movies. They watch more than ever, but at home.
When Consensual Hallucination Fades: iRobot Shares -91% from Peak Meme-Stock Mania by Wolf Richter • Jan 20, 2024 • 68 Comments SEC, did you look at the story 2 months ago that Amazon “is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval,” which caused iRobot to spike 39%?
Ugly Charts of Auto Sales: GM, Toyota, Ford. Stellantis, oh my, Got Crushed by Hyundai-Kia’s Record Sales. Tesla Has Arrived by Wolf Richter • Jan 4, 2024 • 131 Comments Automakers screwed up the market for decades with price increases and going upscale. Now they pay the price with dismal volume.
Tesla’s Deliveries in 2023 Jump 38% YoY, Rivian’s 146%, while Ford & GM Are Tangled Up in Anti-EV Revolts by their Dealers by Wolf Richter • Jan 2, 2024 • 114 Comments Tesla has always been willfully lousy in reporting delivery details. Today it made the obfuscation worse.
Stock Markets Years & Decades after Huge Bubbles Imploded: China, Hong Kong, Japan, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain by Wolf Richter • Dec 31, 2023 • 146 Comments This cannot possibly happen to US markets because US markets are special?
