Each month, I’ll send out an email asking you to ask me questions for the monthly Q&A (after this month, the request for questions and Q&A post will only be sent to paying subscribers). Comment on this post with your question, or email it if you’d rather your question not be seen by others. If you see someone else has asked your question in the comments, give it a like (by clicking the heart button). The more likes, the more likely I am to answer that question.
In a construction market constrained at least on one level, and in some locations, by labor availability, how much can construction activity increase and still effectively be put in place?
Given the strength in backlog and the potential for more jobs in the pipeline stemming from the IIJA, do you think contractors would have a more favorable position in the bidding process? I.e. they could pick and choose jobs to bid, going for the ones with better profitability?
In light of recent PPI inputs in the EuroZone (specifically Germany with an all-time high at 24.2%), how long of a runway will the current inflationary pressure remain on the US in light of the fact that the economy is global and trends in Europe will no doubt affect us here moving forward.
Given that the Fed and the President thought inflation would be transitory (I guess it depends on your time perspective) and we've also been told that Covid would be transitory---and it is now quite apparent that it won't be (vaccine wanes to very partial efficacy within weeks or months) and increasingly is targeting high risk groups (elderly, immunocompromised, morbidities--morbid obesity, uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes---it would appear that we will have to "live" with covid as our full time partner. That is obviously reshaping life and entire industries--cruise ships, private vs. public events, entertainment, private aircraft vs. public, public and private education, etc. So as the new society adapts to Covid, businesses will either have to adapt or may well go bankrupt--especially as government assistance is no longer available. There obviously will be winners and losers in this massive societal shift that is fundamentally reshaping the world. Since its unlikely that modern society can accept any loss of life, can you give some comments to winners vs. losers and business opportunities looking forward through to 2023.
Anirban: The big Decarbonization question: Are the goals set forth by the Administration, Business Leaders, NGOs, IOUs ecetera ecetera ecetera - truly realistic given current supply chain challenges? Where do they think we can get all the raw materials and labor needed to produce higher efficiency infrastructure that will reduce GhG and reduce kWh load?
Anirban: A lot of folks 55+ are leaving the labor force. The survey tells us they are leaving for “other” reasons. I’m curious to hear your take on why that is happening and how/when you think we’ll have a better understanding of the role that specific factors (like chronic illness) are playing in those decisions. Thanks!
What are your thoughts on Gov Hogan's new Retirement Tax Reduction Act 2022 and what does this mean for Maryland retirees (especially in light of the sheer numbers leaving the state)?
Do you think inflation eases in late 2022 and with that, do you think the stock market can hold it's gains until 2023? Or will inflation fears push the stock market back as supply chain issues continue?
Happy New Year Anirban - It seems fewer tourist and people from the counties come into Baltimore due to safety concerns (crime not Covid). It also seems businesses are downsizing in the city as well. Have there been any studies showing the economic impact of the high crime rates? The city leadership doesn't seem to react to the deaths, maybe they would react to dollars?
In a construction market constrained at least on one level, and in some locations, by labor availability, how much can construction activity increase and still effectively be put in place?
Given the strength in backlog and the potential for more jobs in the pipeline stemming from the IIJA, do you think contractors would have a more favorable position in the bidding process? I.e. they could pick and choose jobs to bid, going for the ones with better profitability?
In light of recent PPI inputs in the EuroZone (specifically Germany with an all-time high at 24.2%), how long of a runway will the current inflationary pressure remain on the US in light of the fact that the economy is global and trends in Europe will no doubt affect us here moving forward.
Given that the Fed and the President thought inflation would be transitory (I guess it depends on your time perspective) and we've also been told that Covid would be transitory---and it is now quite apparent that it won't be (vaccine wanes to very partial efficacy within weeks or months) and increasingly is targeting high risk groups (elderly, immunocompromised, morbidities--morbid obesity, uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes---it would appear that we will have to "live" with covid as our full time partner. That is obviously reshaping life and entire industries--cruise ships, private vs. public events, entertainment, private aircraft vs. public, public and private education, etc. So as the new society adapts to Covid, businesses will either have to adapt or may well go bankrupt--especially as government assistance is no longer available. There obviously will be winners and losers in this massive societal shift that is fundamentally reshaping the world. Since its unlikely that modern society can accept any loss of life, can you give some comments to winners vs. losers and business opportunities looking forward through to 2023.
Conrad
Anirban: The big Decarbonization question: Are the goals set forth by the Administration, Business Leaders, NGOs, IOUs ecetera ecetera ecetera - truly realistic given current supply chain challenges? Where do they think we can get all the raw materials and labor needed to produce higher efficiency infrastructure that will reduce GhG and reduce kWh load?
Anirban: A lot of folks 55+ are leaving the labor force. The survey tells us they are leaving for “other” reasons. I’m curious to hear your take on why that is happening and how/when you think we’ll have a better understanding of the role that specific factors (like chronic illness) are playing in those decisions. Thanks!
What are your thoughts on Gov Hogan's new Retirement Tax Reduction Act 2022 and what does this mean for Maryland retirees (especially in light of the sheer numbers leaving the state)?
Do you think inflation eases in late 2022 and with that, do you think the stock market can hold it's gains until 2023? Or will inflation fears push the stock market back as supply chain issues continue?
Do you think domestic airlines will start to require passengers to get vaccinated?
Happy New Year Anirban - It seems fewer tourist and people from the counties come into Baltimore due to safety concerns (crime not Covid). It also seems businesses are downsizing in the city as well. Have there been any studies showing the economic impact of the high crime rates? The city leadership doesn't seem to react to the deaths, maybe they would react to dollars?