Turo Amex Offer: Get 20% Back, up to $30 (Rental Car Alternative)
American Express is offering a one‑time 20% statement credit, up to $30, for U.S. cardmembers who book a single rental on Turo’s platform before May 31 2026. The credit applies to reservations made on the U.S. or Canadian Turo website or app and is limited to one per cardholder. The promotion excludes Turo Shop purchases, gift cards, community‑benefit trips, and rentals that fall under peer‑to‑peer insurance exclusions. Similar cash‑back offers are also available from Chase and Citi, highlighting growing competition among issuers to drive usage of alternative car‑sharing services.
Recommended Weekend Reads
This episode curates a set of recent reports on three major themes: U.S. trade policy after the Supreme Court blocked President Trump's use of the IEEPA, escalating U.S.-Iran military tensions and Iran’s domestic challenges, and broader geoeconomic issues such as...
America’s Most Underwater Housing Markets Present a Golden Opportunity For Investors
A fourth‑quarter 2025 ATTOM study shows underwater mortgages rising to 3 % of all loans, with deep negative equity concentrated in Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and Arkansas (5‑11 % of mortgages). Foreclosure activity in those states jumped 32 % year‑over‑year, creating a pipeline...
Trade Alert 02/20/2026
The Trade Alert posted on February 20, 2026 is locked behind a sign‑in wall, offering no substantive market data in the public view. The page only references a previous alert dated February 9, 2026, without providing details of the trade...
Why Your Average Tax Rate Doesn’t Tell the Real Story in Retirement
Retirees often rely on their average tax rate, but it only reflects past taxes and can mislead future planning. The critical metric is the effective marginal tax rate, which captures the cost of the next dollar of income from withdrawals,...
Consus Ag Consulting Afternoon Wrap Up
The episode reviews the overnight futures market, noting mixed grain movements and modest profit taking in soybeans. A pivotal moment came when the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that President Trump’s tariffs were invalid because only Congress...
Airbus Takes $500M Hit as A220 Ramp Slows
Airbus recorded a $500 million impairment on its A220 program as the aircraft’s production ramp slowed and order growth lagged expectations. The write‑down reflects weaker cash‑flow projections and higher unit costs, casting doubt on the A220’s earnings contribution. CEO Guillaume Faury remains...
Global Growth Expected to Slow in 2026
World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report projects global real GDP growth to slow in 2026 after a surprisingly resilient 2025. The 2025 boost stemmed from a pre‑tariff trade surge and modest monetary easing, but those advantages are fading. New trade...
Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA-Based Tariffs, Doesn’t Rule on Refunds (“Likely to Be a ‘Mess’”)
The Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in a 6‑3 decision, covering both reciprocal trade‑deficit tariffs and fentanyl‑related duties. Over half of the tariff revenue collected in recent years...
You Didn’t Survive Residency to Overpay the IRS
Physicians are overpaying the IRS by $15,000 to $50,000 each year, largely because of missed deductions and inadequate tax planning. A recent Doc Wealth webinar highlighted how tailored strategies—such as S‑Corp elections, Solo 401(k) and cash balance plans, and cost‑segregation—can...
Vision Reveals Hidden Value in CRE. Math Captures It.
The article defines hidden value in commercial real estate as the measurable delta between an asset's current (as‑is) NOI and its future stabilized NOI. By running parallel discounted cash flow models—one reflecting present performance and another incorporating operational, leasing or...
YYY: The Income Illusion or the Ultimate Credit Barometer?
The episode dissects YYY, an ETF that offers exposure to a rules‑based basket of high‑income closed‑end funds (CEFs) via a fund‑of‑funds structure. It highlights the layered risks of credit exposure, embedded leverage, and premium/discount dynamics, noting that performance is highly...
Historical Cropping Patterns for Illinois Grain Farms
The Illinois Farm Business Management Association’s data show that from 2015 to 2024 corn acreage declined across all three regions, with northern farms dropping from 61.6% to 56.4% of tillable land. Central Illinois farms hovered near a 50/50 corn‑soybean split,...
Inflation’s Back In America. Not That It Ever Left
The Federal Reserve’s January FOMC minutes confirm that inflation remains entrenched in the United States, contrary to earlier optimism. Core consumer‑price index rose 0.3% month‑over‑month, keeping annual inflation above the Fed’s 2% target. The minutes show policymakers acknowledging persistent price...
Global Oil Data Deck (February 2026)
The February 2026 Global Oil Data Deck reveals that the worldwide liquids market, still heavily oversupplied, finally tightened in December—the first such move in six months—signaling the end of the most oversupplied year since 2020. Production fell in December mainly...
Government Dysfunction Torpedoes US Economic Growth
The U.S. economy grew at a 1.4% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, roughly half of analysts' expectations. This marks a sharp deceleration from the 4.4% surge recorded in the preceding quarter and is the slowest expansion since...
Tungsten Breaks Into CMI Top 5 Consideration as Supply Risks Reshape the Critical Minerals Watchlist
The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) has elevated tungsten to a top‑5 candidate on its 2025 watchlist, citing China’s 80%‑plus production share and the lack of domestic U.S. sources. In the interview, Director Alastair Neill also highlighted copper, gallium, cobalt, uranium and...
Copper: Imminent Supercycle or Mostly Hype?
In this episode, Doomberg examines the recent surge of interest in copper, dissecting whether the metal is on the brink of a genuine supercycle driven by supply constraints and booming demand, or if the hype is largely speculative. He outlines...
Weekend Reading and MB Media Appearances
The MacroBusiness weekend briefing spotlights a series of global and domestic macro developments. In the United States, the Federal Reserve injected $18.5 billion of liquidity, complied with a White House‑requested rate check, and saw sub‑prime unsecured loan balances hit record levels...
The Berkshire Beat: February 20, 2026
Peter Lynch sat down for a reflective interview, reiterating his “invest in what you understand” mantra, while Berkshire Hathaway released its final 13‑F of the Warren Buffett era, showing modest portfolio tweaks—adding Chevron and Domino’s, trimming Apple and Bank of...
Why Pershing Square Holdings Trades At A Deep Discount To NAV
Pershing Square Holdings (PSH) trades about a 25 % discount to NAV, reflecting its closed‑end, London‑listed structure and a portfolio of public equities that investors can replicate. The lack of daily redemption limits arbitrage, while a 1.5 % management fee and 16 %...
A Defensive Rally.
The episode examines the surprising year‑to‑date rally in oil and gas equities, highlighting that despite a "risk‑off" environment, energy stocks are outpacing all S&P sectors. The host attributes this to improving momentum, stronger global manufacturing PMIs, a weaker U.S. dollar,...
Should I Use My Home Equity to Buy My Next Rental Property? (Rookie Reply)
The episode advises investors to tap home equity through commercial lines of credit or second‑position loans rather than standard HELOCs, emphasizing rate differentials and ADS‑CR loan structures. It outlines the Burr strategy—buy, rehab, rent, repeat—as a way to recycle equity,...
Gold and Silver Recovering
The episode reviews a recent rally in gold and silver prices, noting modest gains in Europe and unusually low trading volumes on the U.S. Comex market due to a holiday. It highlights the scant speculative interest and low open interest...
Research Review | 20 February 2026 | Forecasting Returns
Recent academic research sharpens the tools investors use to forecast long‑term returns and market risk. Rui Ma et al. show that a market‑cap‑weighted Component CAPE ratio aligns prices and earnings, delivering out‑of‑sample R² above 50 %. Javier Estrada confirms that valuation multiples...
Gold Buying Prices in Zimbabwe per Gram/ Ounce, 20 February 2026
Fidelity Gold Refinery published its February 20 2026 gold buying rates for Zimbabwe, listing prices per gram and per troy ounce across several purity categories. The fire‑assay cash price for gold above 100 g is $152.66 per gram ($4,748.26 per ounce), while the...
The Inner Life of a Long-Term Investor
Vishal announces his new book, *The Long Game*, now available for pre‑order, featuring reflections from 30 seasoned long‑term investors. The book explores how self‑awareness, patience, and philosophical inquiry can help investors navigate market cycles and avoid emotional pitfalls. Pre‑orders start...
Digital Euros and Liquidity Backstops Won’t Dent Dollar Dominance, Says Fed’s Miran
European policymakers are increasingly exploring euro‑denominated stablecoins as a tool to counterbalance the U.S. dollar’s global reach. Federal Reserve official Stephen Miran, however, argues that the dollar’s dominance will persist despite these digital euro initiatives. He points to the depth...
China, Afghanistan, and Critical Minerals: Options for U.S. Strategic Competition Below the Threshold of War
Afghanistan has re‑emerged as a venue for great‑power competition below the threshold of war, with China pursuing cautious economic engagement focused on mineral extraction and limited infrastructure projects. U.S. analysis shows Chinese contracts have underperformed and remain exploratory, leaving a...
Tiger Global’s Reemergence: Inside the Fund’s High-Conviction Pivot After the Tech Reckoning:
Tiger Global Management has abandoned its former growth‑maximalist playbook, returning capital to investors and adopting a tightly‑focused, high‑conviction approach. The firm now targets public‑market positions where valuation compression exceeds underlying risk, emphasizing free cash flow, unit economics, and stricter sizing...
Bank of America’s $25 Billion Private Credit Push: Wall Street’s Balance-Sheet Arms Race Moves Into Overdrive
Bank of America announced a $25 billion commitment of its own balance sheet to private credit, marking a decisive shift from traditional bank lending to direct private‑credit exposure. The move underscores the blurring line between banks and alternative asset managers as...
Interview with BFM 89.9 Malaysia 20.02.2026
In this emergency interview on BFM 89.9 Malaysia, The Macro Butler warned that a combination of rising oil prices and increasing unemployment could derail the Federal Reserve’s planned rate cuts in 2026, bolster the US dollar, and pressure retail stocks...
FERI’s Ferrum Fund Future Stars
FERI’s Ferrum Fund Future Stars (FFFS) is a liquid, open‑ended vehicle that seeds emerging hedge‑fund managers with less than $100 million AUM through revenue‑share agreements, capturing a portion of management and performance fees. Since its 2020 launch, the fund has met...
M'tourist Private Feed Recap
In this private feed episode, Kevin Muir reviews the latest macroeconomic data and market trends, focusing on recent inflation reports, central bank policy shifts, and emerging market dynamics. He highlights how unexpected CPI readings are reshaping bond yields and discusses...
Aussie Flash PMI Cools, RBA Still Hot
Australia’s flash PMI for February showed a deceleration, with output and new orders slipping across manufacturing and services after a vigorous start to the year. Despite the slowdown, business sentiment stayed upbeat, and employment rose sharply as firms added staff...
Revenue Management for Short-Term Rentals: Complete Guide
Revenue management for short‑term rentals combines data‑driven pricing, daily market intelligence, and strategic pacing to unlock hidden revenue. The guide stresses that a disciplined 15‑30‑minute daily review, supported by automation tools such as PriceLabs, Wheelhouse or Beyond Pricing, is essential...
Storm-Powered Mega Draw: U.S. Crude Inventories Plunge 9 Million Barrels – Biggest in 5 Months!
The episode breaks down the sudden 9‑million‑barrel drop in U.S. crude inventories—the steepest decline in five months—driven by a powerful storm that disrupted refinery operations and boosted demand for heating fuel. Analysts explain how the draw reshapes the supply‑demand balance,...
Administered Price Inflation Continues to Run Wild
Government and regulatory decisions have driven administered prices—electricity, water, gas, council rates and public transport fares—up 7.55% in the last calendar year. This rise is roughly double the overall CPI inflation rate. Because administered prices are largely insulated from monetary...
The Closer – Doves Fly, Breadth Disconnect, Repo – 2/19/26
The latest Bespoke Institutional "Closer" highlights a shift in Federal Reserve rhetoric, suggesting a softer stance on monetary policy. It also points to a widening disconnect between market breadth and price performance, while flagging renewed stress in the repo market....
T. ROWE PRICE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. - Filing for Period Ending 12/31/2025
T. Rowe Price Investment Management’s 13F filing for the quarter ending June 30, 2025 shows a portfolio market value of $158 b, up $7 b from the prior period. The fund’s turnover accelerated to 21.44%, reflecting active rebalancing across its holdings. Microsoft...
B.I.G. Tips – Earnings Triple Plays Recap: Q4 2025
The fourth quarter of 2025 saw 98 earnings triple plays across roughly 1,100 U.S. listed companies, a drop of 110 from the previous reporting period’s 208. A triple play occurs when a firm beats both earnings‑per‑share and revenue forecasts while...
30-Year TIPS Auction Gets Real Yield of 2.473%, Second Highest in 16 Years
The U.S. Treasury’s latest 30‑year Treasury Inflation‑Protected Securities (TIPS) auction posted a real yield of 2.473%, the second‑highest level in the past 16 years and the highest since the series was relaunched in February 2010. Demand was strong, with the...
Mortgage Rates Hold Flat on Thursday Despite Lower Weekly Average
Mortgage rates for the standard 30‑year fixed loan remained unchanged on Thursday, keeping them near the lowest levels seen in over three years. Freddie Mac’s weekly survey, which averages rates from the previous Thursday through Friday, reports a three‑year low despite...
US Pending Home Sales Collapse To Lowest Level Since 2001
U.S. pending home sales have fallen to their lowest level since 2001, marking a sharp reversal that began in 2021 and accelerated through early 2026. The decline coincides with mortgage rates that remain well above historic averages, squeezing buyer affordability....
PSECU $300 New Checking Account Bonus (Updated 2026)
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) is running a 2026 promotion that awards a $300 bonus to new checking account holders who meet specific criteria. Applicants must join the credit union (or its affiliated PRPS group) with a $10 fee,...
Why Trump Is Not to Blame for Europe’s Predicament | George Friedman
George Friedman argues that the United States should not be blamed for Europe’s security dilemma, emphasizing that both sides feel betrayed. He notes that Europe, a patchwork of nearly 50 nations, has the economic capacity to defend itself but lacks...
Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call Recaps: Leidos (LDOS)
Leidos reported a robust 2025 despite a six‑week government shutdown, lifting adjusted EBITDA margins by 120 basis points to 14.1% and boosting non‑GAAP earnings per share 17%. The firm maintained a 1.3× book‑to‑bill ratio, with $7 billion of awards rolling into...
Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call Recaps: Toll Brothers (TOL)
Toll Brothers reported Q1 2026 results that beat expectations, delivering $1.85 billion in revenue and a 25% year‑over‑year EPS increase to $2.19. Management highlighted modest gains in web traffic, foot traffic and deposits, while keeping buyer incentives flat at 8% of sales...
Stop Me Before I Open Another Account!
The article urges consumers to trim the growing tangle of credit‑card, bank, brokerage and retirement accounts that most Americans juggle. It highlights how the average U.S. adult now holds four credit cards and multiple savings, investment and inherited accounts, creating...
Don’t Give up on Your Part D Costs
The author recounts a recent struggle with Medicare Part D after a prescription fell off the plan’s formulary, raising the out‑of‑pocket cost from the expected $500 to nearly $600. By appealing the denial, the drug was reinstated on the formulary, the...