Entries by Neland Nobel

Is The Banking System Safe?

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Over the past few weeks, we have had the second and third-largest bank failures in our history. As this crisis unfolds, we are repeatedly told by officials that it is localized to these particular banks, that the banking system is sound, and there is not a systemic risk to those with money on deposit in […]

China Brokers a Surprising Mid-East Deal

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

We think a story of major importance has been buried by the news of bank runs in the US.  While not disputing the importance of the bank run stories (we’ve written on this ourselves), the implications of China brokering a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran are very important.  The two warring nations have achieved […]

Can Markets Function Normally With Intrusive Central Planning?

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Editors’ Note:  On Friday, March 10, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, the second largest bank failure in US history.  There is common wisdom that the FED keeps raising rates “until something breaks.”  There is likely no bigger single market intervention than the manipulation of interest rates. Along with the meltdown in cryptocurrencies, their banks, and exchanges, […]

The Covid Skeptics Were Correct. When Do We Get an Apology?

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Here at The Prickly Pear, we were quite skeptical of the advice the US government was putting out about how to deal with Covid.  We particularly took the position that medical considerations could not be viewed in isolation from other factors such as the economy, personal liberty, and the education and welfare of children. The […]

If China is Helping Russia, What Do We Do?

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Is China helping Russia in its invasion of Ukraine? If so, what does that mean for the conflict? Secretary of State Blinken suggested that China is supplying Russia with “non-lethal” aid during a recent trip to Turkey. This statement came just before a “secret” trip to Ukraine by President Biden, which was only a secret […]

Free to Choose: Your Car

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Outside of the purchase of a home, the purchase of an automobile or two is likely the largest purchase a consumer makes.  Given it is your money at stake, the reliability of the transportation, the economy to operate, and the safety of your family, it seemed reasonable just a few years ago that this decision […]

The FED Meets and Speaks and the Stock Market Holds a Breakout

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

We have just gone through another FED meeting and rate hike cycle. The FED delivered what was widely expected, another one-quarter of a percent interest rate increase. And as usual, the action of the FED was heavily scrutinized as is the after-announcement presser and then comments from various FED Presidents.  A number of regional FED […]

The Stock Market Hesitates at Important Resistance Just Before FED Meeting

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Various financial markets will be focused this week on the February 1st, meeting of the Federal Reserve Board. This comes on the heels of an unusual number of other central banks conducting meetings. The meeting itself and the commentary come at a critical inflection point for the stock market. The markets since the turn of the year […]

Kari Lake: The Fight Continues

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Editors’ Note: The Prickly Pear presents two opposing opinions and sides about the outcome of the 2022 Arizona Governor’s race. It is the belief of this publication that multiple factors were at play in the outcome of the election. The voters should always determine the candidates in their respective party via the primary process and […]

Our National Debt Crisis – Let’s Begin by Throwing Big Bird Off The Cliff

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

The initial sparring and positioning over the debt limit have begun and not surprisingly, the Democrats are pulling out their past winning arguments that have kept any of the huge entitlement programs off limit to any kind of reform. The past arguments can be summarized as “pushing Granny off the cliff”, a theme derived from […]