For people with money in Yangon, things can be good. “Mules” carrying huge bags of hard-to-find consumer goods fill inbound flights. But for those at the bottom of the heap, life is far worse https://t.co/KTgEkvyt0S ...

America’s economy is fairly unequal by rich-world standards, and unusually fast growing. But that is nothing new, and therefore, at least from a macroeconomic point of view, nothing much to worry about https://t.co/5Loczpd9LC ...

South Africa remains one of the world's most economically unequal countries. 44% of blacks here live in poverty compared to 1% of whites. Kotza went to Washington last February to talk with administration officials about the economic problems here.He was surprised by what they focused on. >> They ask us about the white genocide and the first thing I said is Africans is what you can get. Uh, I grew up Africans and I never witnessed. ...

Group 1 - The intersection of politics and finance has become more pronounced, with many leaders having backgrounds in financial markets and banking [1] - Financial expertise has influenced public policy, political identity, and leadership styles among elected officials [1] Group 2 - Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. Senator, has a background in financial research and law, focusing on economic inequality and consumer protection [3][4] - Robert Rubin, former Treasury Secretary, had a significant impact on fiscal and financial reforms during his tenure, having previously worked at Goldman Sachs [5][6] - Jon Corzine, a former U.S. Senator and Governor, transitioned from being CEO of Goldman Sachs to political office, later returning to finance before a controversial bankruptcy [7] - Byron Donalds, a U.S. Representative, has a background in banking and insurance, which has contributed to his political career and leadership role in the GOP [8]

Core Viewpoint - The administration is actively seeking a new Federal Reserve Chair who will focus on reducing the central bank's influence and ending the era of quantitative easing [1][2]. Monetary Policy - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the Federal Reserve's monetary policies over the past 15 years, particularly large-scale asset purchases initiated in 2008, which he believes have contributed to economic inequality [2][3]. - Bessent described the Fed as "the engine of inequality," arguing that while it is not responsible for creating equality, it should not worsen the wealth gap [3][4]. - He emphasized that the next Chair should regard quantitative easing as an emergency measure rather than a standard practice, highlighting the negative impact of low interest rates and asset purchases on economic fairness [4]. Structural Changes - Bessent called for a structural downsizing of the Federal Reserve, criticizing its lack of budgetary oversight and the ability to "print its own money" without fiscal discipline [5]. - He stated that there is a desire for a smaller and more predictable central bank that does not dominate market sentiment [6]. Candidate Selection - Bessent confirmed that he has conducted in-depth interviews with potential candidates for the Fed Chair position, including Kevin Warsh, Kevin Hassett, and Governor Chris Waller, who align with the administration's vision for a traditional Fed focused on price stability [7].

hot take: the earth is a private resort for 800,000 people (top 0.01%) and the rest of us are staff rotating shifts to keep the lights on. ...

The US economy is becoming more "k-shaped" as affluent consumers continue to spend and lower-income Americans cut back. Here's what to know https://t.co/zQEX5QxQ2P ...

Consumer spending is a crucial part of the US economy, accounting for about twothirds of its growth. But with inflation still running sticky, can spending power hold up. The latest data appears to be yet another testament to the sheer resilience of the US consumer.However, the solid gains are masking a deepening inequality among US households where a small share of high-wealth Americans is seeing continued gains while a larger share of the middle and lower income households is experiencing increased strain. ...

Market Trends & Consumer Behavior - The share of new cars costing more than $50,000 has almost doubled compared to six years ago, indicating a shift towards higher-priced vehicles [1] - The share of buyers with incomes over $150,000 made up 12% of all car purchases in 2025, significantly larger than other income groups [8] - There are more vehicles for sale above $100,000 than below $30,000 in the US market [9] - Consumer sentiment among high-income adults has shown recent decreases, potentially signaling a shift in the high-end market [27] Financial & Economic Factors - Dealer profits increased by 20% in Q2 2025, but economists are concerned about the reliance on a smaller share of consumers [2] - The average monthly loan payment was $749 in Q2 2025, almost $200 more than in 2019 [4] - Approximately 15% of monthly car payments, including leases and loans, exceed $1,000 [5] - Tariffs are adding up to $5,700 to the price of each imported vehicle, disproportionately impacting lower entry-level models [11] - Auto loan delinquencies have increased year over year since 2021 [23] Industry Dynamics & Challenges - Automakers prioritized higher-priced vehicles during the chip crisis to maximize profits [10] - Rising interest rates and a credit crunch are pricing many people out of the new vehicle market [17][18] - The regulatory environment and homologation requirements contribute to the high cost of vehicles [6] - Chinese manufacturers may offer a source for less expensive vehicles, despite US tariffs [30][31]

RT The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter)Low-income earners are struggling:The 3-month average of the bottom 33% of Americans' after-tax YoY wage growth dropped to 0.9% in August, the slowest pace since 2016.This is a significant decline from the +3.0% seen at the beginning of the year.At the same time, the top third saw +3.6% YoY growth, the highest since November 2021.In other words, top earners’ wages are growing 4 TIMES faster than those of low-income consumers.By comparison, middle-income earners’ salar ...