patrick.net

https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/twas-the-k-shape-before-xmas-wednesday

It was a Christmas miracle! This morning, the Wall Street Journal’s lead story was headlined, “The U.S. Economy Keeps Powering Ahead, Defying Dire Predictions.” Here is the Trump 2.0-era media narrative template: First, the media criticizes President Trump for his economic policies, his unprofessional communications style, and exhaling. The media diligently avoids even the appearance of bias by just quoting Scrooge-like ‘financial experts’ who predict that, as a direct result of President Trump’s policies, especially tariffs, ten thousand babies will die horrifically from measles, instead of being aborted first.

But then, disappointment. Babies stubbornly cling to life and Recessions fail to rear their ugly heads. Instead, the economy surges, unexpectedly, and the experts suddenly discover new and even more complicated economic theories proving that the surprisingly strong financial performance is mostly a mirage. “Bah, humbug,” the experts say.

Then, just go back to square one —criticize everything Trump does— and repeat. As Ross Perot used to say, It’s simple! Nothing to it.

The truth is, despite experts’ anti-heroic efforts, we’re outperforming the entire European continent, including Germany, Britain, France, Lithuania, the Maldives, various Christmas markets, and the Rock of Gibraltar. “The U.S. economy continues to power through,” the Journal began, “defying widespread expectations of a slowdown or even a recession, and blowing past other developed countries.”

Whoosh! “What was zat, herr ubergrupenfloffer?” “Zat was America! It blew right past like a rocket-powered zeppelin!” Or something like that.

While ze Germans are burning their yard furniture for heat, Americans are shopping for Christmas gift deals and generally acting like the economy is robust. True, Americans might not like the hangover of Biden’s high prices, but we are powering through and paying them.

“Americans continue to spend,” the story explained simply. And not just a little. And it’s not just consumers. Businesses and investors spent, too. “The mood among the business community and investors is definitely bullish,” said Rebecca Patterson, an economist quoted in a story from yesterday’s New York Times , which was headlined:

U.S. Economic Growth Surged in Third Quarter of 2025
Gross domestic product grew at a 4.3 percent annual rate, faster than the previous three months.

https://worldoil.com/news/2025/12/18/u-s-house-passes-bipartisan-speed-act-advancing-federal-permitting-reform/

Patrick says

It was a Christmas miracle! This morning, the Wall Street Journal’s lead story was headlined, “The U.S. Economy Keeps Powering Ahead, Defying Dire Predictions.”

Dividends from the pile literally tripled over last year. They just came in year end and tallied. I would have to say that it is a 'Trump Effect'.

Ceffer says

Patrick says

It was a Christmas miracle! This morning, the Wall Street Journal’s lead story was headlined, “The U.S. Economy Keeps Powering Ahead, Defying Dire Predictions.”

Dividends from the pile literally tripled over last year. They just came in year end and tallied. I would have to say that it is a 'Trump Effect'.

Whats a good dividend stock now?

I think REITs and utilities are often owned just for the dividends.

The REITs have to pay out some large part of their income as dividends to maintain some special tax status.

And utilities don't really grow because they are already monopolies in their areas, so they pay out excess earnings as dividends.

Patrick says

I think REITs and utilities are often owned just for the dividends.

The REITs have to pay out some large part of their income as dividends to maintain some special tax status.

And utilities don't really grow because they are already monopolies in their areas, so they pay out excess earnings as dividends.

Ah, makes sense. Never owned REITS. I have AT&T and Verizon.

REITS used to be great, like very consistent 10% dividends or more, but then they shut down the world for Fauci's virus and a lot of commercial real estate never recovered. People started working from home and then just kept working from home. Tons of vacant office space now.

https://ground.news/article/us-murders-on-pace-for-largest-one-year-drop-on-record-report_cb2c55

This year, crime analyst Jeff Asher reported that homicides decreased by roughly 20% based on the Real-Time Crime Index, likely the largest single-year decline ever recorded.

FortWayneHatesRealtors says

Whats a good dividend stock now?

Playtika PLTK. It has fallen since I bought it but likely has bottomed out. Pays a current dividend near 10%. As with any stock, it could fall further or stop paying dividends.

https://inews.co.uk/news/world/why-trump-has-launched-attacks-on-isis-in-nigeria-4135062

US air strikes in north-western Nigeria on Christmas Day targeted Isis militants, the President said, amid claims of violence against Christians

Following repeated accusations that Nigeria’s government has failed to stop violence against Christians in the country, Donald Trump announced a series of air strikes on targets in the West African nation on Christmas Day.

The strikes, which targeted Isis militants in Nigeria’s north-western Sokoto state, mark one of Trump’s most recent uses of military force abroad. The move comes weeks after the US President threatened action amid months of allegations from politicians and activists.

Announcing the operation via Truth Social, Trump said the strikes were aimed at Isis “terrorists” and warned that “if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay”.

“Tonight there was,” he added.