The Market, Energy, And Political Page, T+54 -- July 24, 2018

Free trade. Everyone's for it. But the only one trying to really get "free trade" is Trump. Everyone else, it seems, supports China's a) theft of intellectual property; and, b) high tariffs on American products. And, of course, no one says anything about the Canadian tariff of 275% on US dairy products. In this day and age, why are there tariffs anywhere among these "trading partners": the US, Canada, Mexico, China, EU, Great Britain, Russia, Brazil, and Argentina.

The market. Wow, who would have thought. And why? Up 204 points in early trading (the Dow). More importantly, the S&P 500 up an astounding 22 points and solidly above 2,800.

New record: NASDAQ hits a new record. 

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site.

What's moving?

• Harley-Davidson: up 7%
• UNP: down about 0.75%
• AAPL: up about 0.75% -- wow; 
• S: down about 0.75% -- there seems to be a trend here, LOL
• NOG: up 1.75% -- nice
• OAS: up 3% -- wow
• EOG: up 3% -- wow
• BRK-B: up about a percent
• XOM: up 1.6%

Wow, what's oil doing today? I guess that explains a lot -- WTI is up about $1.00 -- up about 1.4%, now trading at $68.85.

TSLA: on a day the Dow is up over 200 points, TSLA is down about 0.7% -- and TSLA is in a trading range where "speculators" start jumping back in. We will know more by the end of the day.

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The Modern Art Page

A couple of weeks ago the two older granddaughters were with their dad's relatives in Kentucky. One of the many things they did was learn to weld. It turns out welding is nothing more than really, really strong E6000 adhesive -- but a bit hotter.

The middle granddaughter made a small cityscape sculpture. In the first photo below, the penny is placed there to provide a bit of perspective.

I like this photo better:

Don't you just love the bus stop: trash can, parking meter (or sign), and chairs! Look at the shadow of the sign/parking meter reflected on the skyscraper. And a little bit of leaning tower. I love the "windows" on the skyscraper to the left. And, of course, the Sears Tower in the rear.