The hottest Substack posts of Below the Line from Kevin LaBuz

And their main takeaways

#168 – Tariffs, Tai Chi, and T-Shirts

4 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💼 Business E-commerce Economics AI Market Trends Consumer behavior
  1. E-commerce is stabilizing after a rocky period, showing steady growth despite some challenges. Companies are focusing on maintaining balance without significant booming or breaking.
  2. Consumer spending is still strong but cautious, with people opting for smaller purchases rather than big-ticket items. Shoppers are looking for value, especially in areas like secondhand goods.
  3. AI technology is increasingly being used by companies, leading to small but meaningful improvements in operations. Firms are careful with spending, moving towards smarter investment strategies to boost growth.

#167 – Turn Every Page

9 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
💼 Business Investment Finance Management Economics Entrepreneurship
  1. Always be ready to seize opportunities. As Warren Buffett says, 'turn every page' means you should work hard and be thorough, even when the door seems closed.
  2. Patience is key in investing. Instead of rushing to invest, wait for the right opportunity and be prepared to act quickly when it comes.
  3. Surround yourself with positive, trustworthy people. The people you work with can influence your habits and outcomes, so choose wisely.

#165 – Anti-Predictions

7 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance Economics Management Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Predicting the future is really hard, so instead of trying to guess what's coming, focus on being adaptable. It's better to prepare for many different possible outcomes rather than relying on one prediction.
  2. Time shows us what ideas and practices last. We should pay more attention to things that have proven their value over time, rather than just what's new or trendy.
  3. Surviving and reducing risks is more important than chasing success. By making sure you avoid big dangers, like too much debt, you can set yourself up for long-term success without the fear of losing everything.

#164 – Normal-ish

5 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💼 Business E-commerce Market Trends Consumer behavior Financial Analysis
  1. E-commerce is stabilizing after the pandemic, but shoppers are being more careful with their spending. People are focusing on buying essentials instead of luxury items.
  2. Big companies like Amazon are growing well because they sell a lot of everyday items. Smaller companies are struggling to compete as customers are prioritizing good prices and value.
  3. As the market normalizes, companies are working on improving their core businesses and cutting costs. Some, like Etsy, are trying new strategies to attract customers in a tough economic environment.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

#157 - Nature Is Healing

10 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
💼 Business E-commerce Consumer behavior Expenses Industry Trends
  1. E-commerce industry growth is uneven post-pandemic, with larger companies thriving while smaller ones struggle.
  2. Second quarter outlook for e-commerce shows signs of improvement, but uncertainty remains for full-year guidance.
  3. Consumer behavior is shifting towards more value-focused spending, with customers trading down on discretionary items.

#156 - Silicon Valley Bank: An Autopsy

7 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking Economy Investing Risk management Deposits
  1. Silicon Valley Bank grew rapidly and reached the 16th largest bank in the US, but struggled with managing its growth.
  2. Banks make money by taking deposits and making loans, operating with fractional reserves and managing a balance between liquidity and lending.
  3. SVB's downfall was fueled by a combination of poor decisions, rising interest rates, and a concentrated deposit base that led to a rapid collapse.