Rare Earths
Column Published in syndication October 29, 2025Rare earth elements (or minerals) are comprised of 17 elements, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Although produced in small amounts compared to many elements, they are becoming increasingly essential to the economy and national security.
- Tags:
- rare earths,
- China
Gold Rush!
Column Published in syndication October 22, 2025The price of gold has skyrocketed, up 60% this year and more than 130% since late 2023. On October 20, prices topped $4,350 per ounce, though they are volatile and a correction of over 5% occurred the next day. Here's a brief look at some aspects of this phenomenon.
Creative Destruction
Column Published in syndication October 15, 2025Each year, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics in recognition of pathbreaking ideas and research that enhance our understanding of critical issues that, directly or indirectly, affect our prosperity and wellbeing. For 2025, three laureates have won the Prize for work unraveling the nature and genesis of technological innovation and its role in fostering sustained economic growth.
- Tags:
- economics,
- Nobel Prize
Fannie and Freddie
Column Published in syndication October 08, 2025There has recently been speculation regarding an initial public offering (IPO) to at least partially reprivatize Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), two huge public entities which buy mortgages from lenders to increase their liquidity, enable more mortgages, and facilitate homeownership in the US.
- Tags:
- mortgage,
- Freddie Mac,
- Fannie Mae
Business Dynamics
Column Published in syndication October 01, 2025There's a lot going on in the labor market these days, and it has recently been difficult to sift through the mixed signals to get a clearer picture of where things stand. Although some information suggests that the market is fairly stable all things considered, there are also frequent headlines regarding both layoffs and challenges for job seekers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks Business Employment Dynamics which provides some insights into the underlying patterns.
- Tags:
- jobs
Progress
Column Published in syndication September 24, 2025There is some very good news on the climate front. Every US state reduced per capita carbon dioxide emissions from primary energy consumption between 2005 and 2023. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released data indicating that total US CO2 emissions fell by 20% over the period, even as population rose by 14%. The result is a 30% decrease in per capita CO2 emissions.
- Tags:
- carbon dioxide,
- natural gas,
- emissions
Talent!
Column Published in syndication September 17, 2025A large, growing, and well-qualified workforce is essential to ongoing economic expansion. Texas has an advantage over many areas in that our population is younger and, hence, has more people in childbearing age ranges. Additionally, the state has long been attracting workers from other parts of the country (and, indeed, the world). A recent report by Lightcast, a global labor market intelligence firm, illustrates just how well Texas is doing.
DPRIT
Column Published in syndication September 10, 2025Dementia is among the most difficult health issues that we face as a society, devastating to those affected as well as their friends and families. It touches virtually all of us in some way (my mother and maternal grandmother were both tragic victims). In addition to the extremely high physical and emotional toll it takes, which is by far its most compelling impact, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias involve very high economic costs. The proposed Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), which voters will have an opportunity to approve the funding for in November, can play a vital role in finding solutions.
Global Markets
Column Published in syndication September 03, 2025For much of the past decade, the US stock market has dramatically outperformed its global counterparts. A major reason is the emergence and dominance of the US technology sector and the rapid expansion of "mega-cap" companies such as Alphabet (Google), Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla, and Nvidia. However, there are signs that international equities may be making a comeback.
- Tags:
- international,
- stocks,
- United States