The hottest Economy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Plentiful, high-paying jobs in the age of AI

Noahpinion • 20235 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Jobs Economy Automation
  1. The concept of comparative advantage means that even in a world where AI outperforms humans in many tasks, humans can still find plentiful, high-paying jobs by focusing on what they do relatively better compared to other tasks.
  2. Wages have historically increased despite automation, suggesting that the job market continuously evolves and diversifies, creating new tasks for humans to perform.
  3. Concerns about AI causing human obsolescence and stagnant wages should be considered in the context of factors like energy constraints and the potential for increased inequality and adjustment challenges in the economy.

Fear and Consolidation in the Oil Patch

BIG by Matt Stoller • 20856 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Oil industry Mergers Finance Economy Competition
  1. The oil and gas industry is going through a significant wave of consolidation, with mega-mergers happening between major companies.
  2. The mergers and acquisitions in the industry are driven by challenges in increasing production, high finance strategies, and the desire to showcase access to reserves to investors.
  3. The consolidation will likely lead to squeezed suppliers, reduced innovation, and a shift of industry power from domestic firms to global entities.

Did immigration bring down inflation?

Noahpinion • 9647 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Economy Policy Labor Market Inflation
  1. Paul Krugman suggests that increased immigration led to a positive supply shock, boosting growth and lowering inflation.
  2. Immigration's impact on reducing costs for companies and expanding aggregate supply is complex, involving immigrant and native-born wage dynamics.
  3. There are differing perspectives on the role of immigration in reducing inflation, with suggestions including a combination of immigration, Fed action, and pandemic-era supply shocks.
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Border Crossings

Doomberg • 5582 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Trade Economy
  1. The North American natural gas market is facing challenges like low prices and overproduction, leading to strategic production cutbacks by major players.
  2. The interconnected pipeline infrastructure among the US, Canada, and Mexico is facilitating significant natural gas exchanges, especially benefiting Mexico with its growing gas demand.
  3. Mexico's strategic position within NAFTA allows it to benefit from cheap energy imports from the US while also capitalizing on its own export opportunities to the US, contributing to its economic growth.

At least five interesting things for your weekend (#26)

Noahpinion • 13059 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Energy Education Wealth Healthcare
  1. The U.S. economy is thriving, with real growth, increased wages, high employment rates, and a booming stock market.
  2. The U.S. energy supply is abundant due to investments in shale oil production, keeping prices moderate and potentially boosting the economy even further.
  3. Millennials and Gen Z are doing well economically, with wealth accumulation surpassing previous generations at a similar age, especially in real estate.

Measurement Army

Doomberg • 5751 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💰 Finance Environmental Investment Regulation Markets Economy
  1. Modern economic systems struggle to account for environmental costs, leading to government interventions and frustrations among capitalists and landowners.
  2. The global focus on carbon emissions has led to the rise of carbon counting professionals, but many argue their value is limited.
  3. A proposal to create Natural Asset Companies (NACs) faced controversy when seeking to put a market price on nature, highlighting potential unintended consequences and opposition.

Three reasons the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates soon

Noahpinion • 8647 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economy Interest Rates Inflation Monetary Policy
  1. The U.S. economy is showing strong signs of a soft landing with low unemployment, surging job numbers, high employment rates, and accelerating wages.
  2. Inflation has fallen back to the 2% target, providing a remarkable macroeconomic achievement.
  3. Despite the strong economy, there is speculation that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates soon due to reasons like accelerating productivity growth.

Strikes and Bidenomics

BIG by Matt Stoller • 35524 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Policy Government Labor Inflation
  1. Public dissatisfaction with the economy despite positive statistics like low unemployment and consumer spending
  2. The Biden administration lacks coherence in its policy approach and struggles to address issues like inflation and housing costs
  3. Judicial appointments and internal disagreements within the administration contribute to the challenges faced by Bidenomics in governing effectively

Supreme Court poised to appoint federal judges to run the US economy.

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8078 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Government Economy Elections Legislation
  1. Supreme Court might overturn Chevron deference doctrine, changing how US economy is regulated
  2. Conservatives aim to diminish power of executive branch and Congress, while empowering the courts
  3. Federal regulations in the US ensure safety, honesty, transparency, and accountability in the large economy

Slick Landing

Doomberg • 8377 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economy Interest Rates GDP Market Analysis Macroeconomics
  1. In 2022, the US economy was expected to fall into a deep recession, but it didn't.
  2. Despite doubts, the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes had a positive impact on the economy.
  3. Forecasts for the US economy are challenging, and unexpected outcomes provide unique learning opportunities.

The most epic (and literal) gaslighting of all time

The Crucial Years • 1903 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Energy Legislation Economy International relations
  1. Exxon prioritizes profit over renewable energy, stating wind and solar power don't offer sufficient returns for shareholders.
  2. Exxon's history of deceit and denial regarding climate change has hindered progress for decades.
  3. The need for government intervention to address the climate crisis is highlighted, as market profits often impede meaningful solutions.

Wilful Ignorance of Evil is a Luxury No One Can Afford

Welcome to Absurdistan • 4422 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Government Society Policy Global Affairs
  1. The current economic growth is unsustainable as it is based on borrowed money.
  2. The financial system is at risk due to the massive amount of derivatives, which are essentially bets on our labor and property.
  3. To restore prosperity, we need to oppose elite tyranny, demand inclusive economic institutions, and abolish monopolies.

Dubai's Planned $32 Billion Mega Airport Project

Tamer’s Substack • 25 HN points • 29 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Infrastructure Development Economy
  1. Dubai plans to build new terminals at the Al Maktoum International Airport to become the largest airport in the world, with a capacity for over 260 million passengers.
  2. The project will cost around $34 billion and include 400 boarding gates, five parallel runways, and create a new city around the airport with housing for up to a million people.
  3. Dubai aims to transition air traffic from the current busiest airport in the world, Dubai International Airport, to Al Maktoum, ensuring continuous development for future generations.

Panic Among the Streamers

The Honest Broker • 22673 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology Entertainment Finance Economy Industry
  1. Spotify's CEO sold $100 million in stock amidst the company's increasing losses, causing concern among investors.
  2. Streaming companies like Netflix and Disney are heavily investing in AI technology, potentially replacing human creativity with bots.
  3. Music streaming platforms like Spotify prioritize profit over user experience, creating a bland and generic listening environment.

💥Leaky Container💥

PETITION • 2456 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
💰 Finance Stocks Retail Investing Company analysis Economy
  1. The post discusses underperforming retailers like The Container Store Inc. ($TCS) specializing in storage solutions.
  2. The Container Store Inc. is known for its premium pricing compared to competitors for products like coat hangers and laundry baskets.
  3. The company's history involves acquisitions by PE firm Leonard Green and Partners LP and an IPO in 2013.

Cooking The Books

Points And Figures • 719 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Government Statistics Unemployment
  1. Government-reported economic numbers can be misleading, especially in non-democratic countries where they may be fake.
  2. Statistic revisions are common in economic releases, but major revisions like a 35% drop raise concerns about accuracy.
  3. Unemployment numbers from the US Department of Labor under President Biden have seen significant and questionable revisions, impacting predictions and planning based on them.

Exposing the Fraudsters

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fraud Corruption Government Media Economy
  1. Fraud has historically preceded major meltdowns, causing social unrest, economic collapses, and political instability.
  2. Fraud is widespread in everyday life, not just as criminal acts but in various forms of intentional misrepresentation.
  3. Dishonesty and fraud, both large and small, have become normalized in society, but individuals have the power to shift towards honesty and transparency to curb fraudulent behavior.

Does the Economy Need Migrants?

cryptoeconomy • 1434 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Labor Economy Inequality Policy
  1. Immigrants do not necessarily solve labor shortages because they bring their own demand for various services and jobs.
  2. Immigration can lead to lower wages, depending on the skills of the immigrants being admitted into the country.
  3. The argument that immigration is needed to address labor shortages is often contested by voters who see other issues like welfare, crime, and decreasing wages.

Weekend thoughts follow up: $NYCB insider buying and mea culpa

Yet Another Value Blog • 1395 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investing Banking Stocks Economy Insider trading
  1. The loan book for NYCB is in worse shape than expected, potentially facing huge losses due to rent-regulated properties and increasing expenses.
  2. Despite the challenges, NYCB has over $7 billion in tangible equity, which could help the bank navigate through the crisis.
  3. Insider buying at NYCB following a special update call shows confidence in the institution, highlighting efforts to stabilize the stock amid a tough situation.

Whither China 5: No, China is not competing with India for Wall Street's attention.

Chartbook • 1316 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Globalization Investment Trade Geopolitics Economy
  1. Wall Street is pulling billions from China's economy and shifting focus to India, creating a significant change in global markets.
  2. Financial flows in China show a trade surplus, with global investors moving away from China and towards India.
  3. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into China has drastically decreased since 2022, reflecting investor concerns about geopolitics and domestic policies.

🤖 AI and the economy: scenarios for a world with artificial general intelligence

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Economy Future Automation Labor
  1. Artificial General Intelligence is a concept that doesn't exist yet and may never be achieved, but some experts believe it's coming soon.
  2. AI is viewed as a tool to enhance human capabilities and create new opportunities rather than a threat to job security.
  3. The impact of AI on the economy will depend on whether there is a limit to the complexity of tasks humans can perform.

❄️💥 Quels risques en 2024 ?

Snowball • 1886 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Tech Finance Economy Startups Investing
  1. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is a major tech company that manufactures chips for various devices.
  2. Experts and global leaders predict risks that could cause crises in 2024 like environmental issues and technology advancements.
  3. The internet's evolution to omnipresence due to smartphones raises questions about implications and opportunities.

👴👵🤖 Humanity’s Great Fight for the Future: Demographics vs. AI

Faster, Please! • 1370 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Demographics Economy Future scenarios Automation
  1. There may be a tug-of-war between AI-led productivity gains and the budget impacts of retirees and falling population growth.
  2. The analysis examines key megatrends like technology, demographics, fiscal deficits, globalization, and energy transitions.
  3. Two scenarios are presented: One where aging population and retirees limit growth, and another where productivity surges through AI-led automation.