American Optimism About The Economy Hits An All-Time High -- CNBC -- October 4, 2017

Huge story for ND mineral owners: I was remiss in forgetting to post this story. I had it in the queue to post but then forgot about it until a reader reminded me. There is a huge amount of history to this story, so for now, will simply post the bare minimum from The Bismarck Tribune:

Family members who took their fight over oil and gas minerals to the North Dakota Supreme Court said they’re “elated” over an opinion issued this week in their favor.

The Supreme Court reversed an earlier ruling in a court case involving the William S. Wilkinson family and the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands, sending the case back to district court.

The Supreme Court, in the opinion released late Thursday, also ruled that new legislation adopted this past session related to minerals under Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River should apply retroactively to the mineral dispute.

Jon Patch, a descendant of the Wilkinson family, called the ruling “a big win for those who care about personal property rights.”

The family argues the state took their oil and gas mineral rights from property acquired by the federal government for the construction of the Garrison Dam.

****************************

Making America Great

Holiday spending expected to increase 6% this year. From NYPost: 

It’s going to be a ho, ho, ho Christmas — for the wealthy.

Overall holiday spending across the US is expected to rise 6 percent this year, to an average of $1,189 per person — but wealthier shoppers are expected to really cut loose, a national survey has found.

Those earning $100,000 to $149,999 are expected to jack up their holiday spending by 15 percent, to $1,609 per person.

American optimism on the economy at an all-time high. From CNBC:

The third-quarter CNBC All-America Economic Survey found 43 percent of the public believes the economy is excellent or good, a record high in the 10-year history of the survey. 

Thirty-six percent believes the economy will get better, down a couple of points from last quarter, but just 23 percent say it will get worse, down 6 points.

The four-quarter average for every major economic metric in the poll --- the outlook for the economy, housing, wages and the stock market --- is at a record 10-year high. Those four quarters cover the time span since President Donald Trump's election.