Category: Decision Making

Alternative Investments, Decision Making

Business Services Industry Trends

Gregory Pearl

The business services industry consists of a very broad variety of services sold to other businesses. Companies from this sector help other firms focus on their core competencies.   These companies help benefit others by increasing their operating efficiencies and avoid spending resources on what is not the most important to them.. Business services companies provide support to other businesses, such as office administration, hiring and of personnel, security services, telecommunication,  travel,  cleaning and maintenance, waste disposal and so on.  The USA and Europe are the primary markets for these types of services. USA business services consists of about 400,000…

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Alternative Investments, Decision Making

Bank of America says “The greatest bubble in history is popping.” How did this happen?

Gregory Pearl

Obviously I’m not the only one that has noticed the bubbleistic traits of cryptocurrencies. Clients have been asking my opinion too.  So here goes. The Bitcoin cryptocurrency is tracking the downfalls of the other legendary asset-price bubbles in history. In less than one year since its record high.  This is what Bank of America Chief Investment Strategist Michael Hartnett wrote to his investors on Sunday. I’ve written before about the dangers of the more-or-less average (yet affluent) retail investor participating in this market. Average meaning less than, say, a few million in investable assets. The cryptocurrency has fallen more than…

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Decision Making

Warren Buffett just released his annual shareholder letter (Feb 2018). Here is my take-away.

Gregory Pearl

Here are some highlights (what I think are highlights, others may focus on other items) from Buffet’s usually iconic annual letter to shareholders. Last year was an eventful one for Warren Buffet.  A succession plan may be in the process of being implemented as two individuals were promoted to vice chairman in January 2018.  Natural disasters harmed the insurance business.  Plus, perhaps most importantly especially for the economy at large, Buffet joined with Amazon and Chase to start a health care program for employees. The new tax reform bill passed by congress helped Berkshire Hathaway in the last part of…

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Alternative Investments, Decision Making

Why Do Some Cities Have More Startups?

Gregory Pearl

The fortunes of Silicon Valley and the Tech Industry goes up and down. And yes, things are always changing. But this much could be said with good confidence. The tech scene in my lifetime has probably been one of the greatest wealth generators in the history of mankind. This includes not just California.  Also, note the other innovation hubs that includes Austin, Boston, New York, Seattle, and so on. Sadly, my long-time home of Chicago does not make that list.  I’ve done business in all those places and believe me, the difference between Illinois and the rest is palatable.  Just…

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