Company Overview & Strategy - Texas Instruments (TI) is expanding US-based microchip production with a new factory in Sherman, Texas [1][4] - The new factory is one of seven, signaling a significant investment in domestic production [1] - The campus size will exceed 70 football fields or the equivalent of two Empire State Buildings [2] - TI aims to produce its most advanced analog chips at this new facility, focusing on foundational technologies for autos and industrial applications [2] Products & Customer Base - TI has over 100,000 customers and approximately 80,000 different products [3] - TI chips are present in a wide range of devices, including those that plug into the wall, use batteries, or have cords [3] - TI chips are also used in phones, computers, and data centers, supporting the AI boom [2] Market Challenges - TI shares experienced a decline in July due to customer concerns regarding tariffs and geopolitics [3]

Cadillac once called itself the standard of the world. As does the famous Cadillac V and crest. The cars of its heyday are icons of postwar America.The tailfins, the bodies made of endless stretches of steel. They had plush seats and suspensions so soft you could feel like you were hovering over the road. This was American luxury.Huge, mellow, graceful, and maybe surprisingly often loaded with the best tech of its day. They were the standard for so long a luxury vehicles. But that has been, I'd say for most ...

This is a McMansion. This, too. And so is this one.You've probably seen a version of one in an American suburb. It's not a style of house. We tutor one day, farmhouse the next day.It's over 3,000 square ft. It's usually in the suburbs and it's usually done in kind of a a slapshot way. So, a big house that maybe is, you know, for lack of a better word, a little bit tacky.Despite their at times poor reputation, they've never really gone away. These are the houses that I sell most often. I was just in a biddin ...

U.S. Retirement System Challenges - U.S Social Security is facing insolvency by 2033, potentially leading to a 20% benefit cut if the trust fund runs short [1] - The U S retirement system received a C+ rating from the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index in 2024, indicating a solid system with significant risks [1][2] - 401(k) system may not be effective as funds are often withdrawn before retirement for various needs [3] - By 2050, the world could face a $400 trillion shortfall in retirement savings, with the U S being a major contributor to this problem [29] - In 2019, the estimated loss of savings due to 401(k) cash outs ranged from $60 billion to $105 billion [19] Global Comparison and Solutions - Countries are raising retirement ages and requiring mandatory contributions to address issues like longer lifespans and fewer workers paying into the system [4] - A grade retirement systems often feature a net replacement rate of at least 65% for median income earners, private pension coverage of at least 80% of the working-age population, and pension contributions of at least 12% of wages [5][6] - The Netherlands, with its mandatory contributions, serves as a model, transitioning from defined benefit to defined contribution plans [7][9][10] - Australia's mandatory defined contribution plan, covering everyone, is highlighted as a successful approach [11] U.S. Strengths and Weaknesses - U S retirement plan assets are 250% (two and a half times) the median of OECD countries, indicating high savings rates [14] - Despite high savings, the median retirement savings for baby boomers is zero, highlighting inequality [15] - While 70% of U S workers had access to a retirement plan as of March 2023, only 53% participated, indicating a coverage issue [17] - The U S system's voluntary nature and allowance of pre-retirement withdrawals are criticized, but the high savings rates and retirement incomes suggest some success [10][13][34]

America's banking industry is shrinking. Community banks are struggling. We had about 7000 community banks right after the crisis.Now we've got about 4000. That's a huge decline. We see that those local banks are really disappearing.It's really hard for them to compete with the very largest banks, who are essentially subsidized by the public because they are seen as too big to fail. The four largest banks in the U.S.--JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Citigroup--hold an increasingly large per ...

Market Trends - Microdrama, backed by Chinese investment, is gaining traction with its short video app, Real Short [1] - China's microdrama market has surpassed 50 billion yen (approximately 690 million USD) in 2024, exceeding China's box office revenue [2] - Microdrama producers aim to appeal to the American public, viewing it as a gateway to global market dominance due to America's significant cultural influence [3] Content & Strategy - Microdramas utilize instant gratification tactics and over-the-top scenarios to entertain viewers [2] - The microdrama format is described as a more intense version of soap operas [1]

The problem with generalized tariffs on all goods coming into the United States 10% or higher is that every consumer has to pay more. That means every consumer effectively is poorer. Faces a larger tax. It is not just a large tax.It's also a regressive tax in the sense that consumers who have lower incomes have to pay a larger portion of their incomes in the form of this tariff tax. That means that everybody around the economy are not just the exporters to the United States, but also United States companies ...

Acquisition Analysis - ELF Beauty's acquisition of Road for $1 billion is being questioned, especially with increasing tariffs [1][2] - The acquisition aims to build a cosmetics empire for ELF Beauty [2][3] Pricing Strategy & Tariffs - Tariffs have led ELF Beauty to increase prices by $1, marking the second price hike in 3 years [1] - The price increase may impact ELF Beauty's reputation for affordability [1] Customer Perception - Customers value ELF Beauty's transparency and creative advertising [2] - ELF Beauty is known for offering "dupes" or premium knockoffs at affordable prices [2] Brand Loyalty - ELF Beauty has cultivated a devoted fan base, particularly on social media [1]

Three. Two. One.Zero. Ignition. Liftoff.SpaceX has become synonymous with U.S. Space supremacy. SpaceX is irreplaceable as a national asset. Right now, SpaceX is just completely dominant.But it's dominant because it's the best. For years, the U.S. Government and SpaceX have had a mutually beneficial relationship. The government is an extraordinary customer from us, both the Department of Defense as well as NASA.The news these days is we have $22 billion worth of government contracts. We earned that. Booster ...

Financial Perspective - Americans on average say they would need $520 thousand a year to feel rich [1] - Americans making under $50 thousand felt they needed $157 thousand a year to feel comfortable [1] - Those making $100 thousand or more said they would need $246 thousand [1] - About 14% of all US households make $200 thousand or more every year [2] - 62% of people with salaries over $300 thousand a year struggle with credit card debt [2] Behavioral Analysis - Earning doesn't actually make you feel rich, spending does [2][3] - When in accumulation mode, it's very difficult to feel rich [3] - Earning more and feeling like you're still on a hamster wheel is what a lot of high earners, not rich yet (HENRYs) experience [3] - High earners may have been living above their means when they weren't nearly making as much money and now they're just continuing to add more and more [4]