Rodney Johnson has some interesting comments on the rise of robots as a labor replacement.  Robots have been replacing assembly line workers for decades.  But now, they’re starting to replace retail clerks too…sort of: Just as desktop computing, voicemail, and email erased much of the need for secretaries, robots are quickly gaining ground in areas...Read More

If you can’t beat ‘em…buy ‘em out.  That’s the approach Big Beer is taking in combatting the rise of microbrewing.  Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) announced last week it would be buying 10 Barrel Brewing Co., a microbrewery based on Bend, Oregon.  This follows BUD’s move earlier this year to buy Blue Point Brewing Co. It’s easy...Read More

“American Realty Capital Properties insider just disposed of 20,000 shares.” I saw that headline come across my Twitter feed, and I was particularly jarring to me because I had specifically listed consistent insider buying as a reason to give American Realty Capital Properties (ARCP) the benefit of the doubt after its accounting bomb was dropped earlier this week.  Ten different ARCP insiders—including...Read More

“Frozen fever” largely passed over my house.  As the father of two young boys, I’m a lot more likely to have Teenage Mutuant Ninja Turtles playing on my living room TV. Still, even my rowdy boys have watched Frozen a few times, and I’ve caught my wife singing Let It Go more than once.  Frozen is the...Read More

Remember, remember the Fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot, I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent To blow up the King and Parli’ment. Three-score barrels of powder below To prove old England’s overthrow; By God’s mercy he was catch’d With...Read More