Sunday, January 21, 2024

Rambling -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46614ARCHIVES.

If you are just tuning in, I must have posted a dozen or more blogs today. Some of them were pretty good based on a polling of the MDW focus group. I'm wrapping it up for tonight, which reminds me, I need to see if the weekly edition of  "Focus on Fracking" has been posted yet. Whoo-hoo! It has. The highlights:

Gasoline supplies are at a 101-week high, distillates supplies are at a 124 week high; December global oil shortage is at 2,280,000 bpd with OPEC's output 332,000 barrels per day below their reduced target. Natural gas prices drop 24%, the most in 2 years.

**********************
Rambling

Link here.

With regard to "anything," I no longer know what's true, what's not true, who's telling the truth, who's not telling the truth, and everything in between. It's like the TV show of some years ago, "White Collar." And it's only going to get worse with generative AI.

That's true with "everything," but perhaps nothing more true than with news about the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Here's the January 13, 2024, update of the MVP as reported by Laurence Hammack of The Roanoke [Virginia] Times.  

I guess we will know by the end of March, 2024. But then again, maybe not.

Seeking the truth? The only way most of us seem to measure success is how we do in the market. Or if we are the owner of the most valuable NFL sports team. Here's looking at you, Jerry. I go back and forth with regard to Jerry Jones, but tonight, I'm on Jerry Jones' side. I know he doesn't care, but just thought I would mention it. On so many levels he did the right thing by not firing the coach. And I'm sure the quarterback is safe. Don't know about the offensive coordinator.

Speaking of which:

Personal investing: I mentioned earlier, on the blog, I think, that I've removed KMI from my portfolio and plan to sell all my KMI sometime tomorrow. 

If I did already post this on the blog, I said I would be using those proceeds to add to my position in OKE. The thought: they're about the same, but OKE has the edge, and getting rid of one (in this case, KMI) de-clutters the portfolio.
After some more thinking about this, I've decided to use those KMI funds to add to my position in DE, SCCO, or McDonald's. Right now, I'm favoring DE. It would not be consistent of me to add to my position in OKE: OKE is not in my bucket list any more. SCCO doesn't seem to have the MOJO that DE and/or MCD seem to have.
In other words, plenty of time to add to my position in SCCO and the record date for the next DE quarterly dividend is January 29, 2024, if I recall correctly.

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 

Again, all my posts are done quickly. There will be typographical and content errors in all my posts. If any of my posts are important to you, go to the source.

Sports: in the big scheme of things, I couldn't have asked for a better outcome with regard to the four NFL games this weekend. 

It would have been nice to see the Green Bay Packers win but they had a great season and in the big scheme of things, that outcome was fine; they will do fine. They made the playoffs and their former quarterback did not. 

I had no interest in the Philadelphia Eagles game. I forget who they played and except for some clips, I don't recall watching any of the game. 

The third game of the weekend (the first game today) was excellent. I was thrilled to see the Detroit Lions win but I would have been happy had the Bucs won. 

But, but, but ... the best game and the best outcome? Yeah, you guessed it. Taylor Swift's team. So many haters out there. That's why I'm glad her team won. LOL. And Taylor gets the last laugh. You know, that missed "last second" field goal must have been Tony Romo's best moment this weekend, and he called the game on whatever network the game was aired.

I was not listening to the audio but I understand that Tony said the following as the Buffalo Bills kicking team was coming on the field:

"The Chiefs lead by three.points. A field goal ties the game and a touchdown wins the game." 

I guess he was thinking of a fake field goal play, or he was talking to folks who are just now learning how points are scored in the NFL. LOL. You can catch his play-by-play over at twitter.

The market: the penultimate screen shot of the night. Look at the NASDAQ. Wow. WTI is "green" tonight but tomorrow is a Monday. WTI will open in the "red." LOL. 

Amazon: $12 / $40 = 30%. Without Amazon Prime, with shipping, cost would have been about $52 rather than $40. Just saying. At Sur La Table, "identical" product was $69 to $79 before tax, and I would have to drive across town in very cold weather to pick it up. Walmart's price about the same as Amazon's; maybe less (at Walmart).

Dividend Aristocrats -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46613DE.

There are dividend aristocrats and then there are dividend aristocrats.

ISO-NE -- Early Evening -- Sunday, January 21, 2024

Locator: 46613ELECTRICITY.

For the record, ISO-NE is burning oil to generate electricity -- oil is contributing 3%. Link here

Natural gas at 49%. Not sure why so much oil; everything else looks good.

ERCOT burns no oil but coal is contributing almost 20% of supply. 

Google cost of electricity US region

Link here.

We've talked about this before. Look at the drop in price for ERCOT and the jump in price for ISO-NE and NYISO. We're looking at you OCA.

File Under "What A Great Country!" -- DIA -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46612DFW.

Link here.

Denver International Airport. Wow.  

From the linked article:

Last year was Denver International Airport’s busiest on record.

While airline stocks have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, passengers have returned in droves — and millions of them are flying through the Colorado hub.

We will end 2023 much higher than our forecast at about 78 million passengers annually,” said Phil Washington, CEO of the Denver International Airport. “So this has been tremendous growth.”

The airport, known as DIA to Colorado locals, opened in 1995. It was originally built to handle 50 million passengers per year, but now that number is expected to reach more than 100 million people per year by 2027, according to DIA estimates.

OAG, a global travel data provider, said Denver went from the 21st busiest airport in the world in 2019 to the sixth in 2023.

United Airlines is Denver’s biggest operator with 46.7% market share, followed by Southwest at 30.7% and Frontier Airlines at 9.7%, according to DIA.

The midcontinent airport has become United’s busiest hub. It recently invested nearly $1 billion in Denver to add more gates, flights and destinations, and opened the largest lounge in its network.

ATL: wiki rankings. ATL, DFW, DIA, ORD, DUBAI, LAX, Istanbul, Heathrow, Delhi, Paris, JFK, Las Vegas.

  • Turkey: interestingly enough, has been the bridge between Asia and Europe since antiquity.

DIA: "much more than the projected 78 million passengers for 2023.

DFW: "projected to have 80 million travelers this year (2023)."

****************************************
DFW: 73.4 Million Passengers In 2022

Previously posted: link here.

What a great country. Unlikely faux environmentalists will slow this down.

Meanwhile, in the Dallas-Ft Worth area a huge expansion at DFW an a new airport north of the city:


DFW: from The WSJ --


Wiki:


Expansion: from my perspective, and I'm very biased, the DFW airport -- considering it's the second busiest / biggest airport in the world -- is an incredibly efficient and pleasant airport. 

It also has light rail -- which will please faux environmentalists -- connecting the airport, Dallas and Ft Worth.
The airport has always had plans for six terminals, cleverly called Terminals A - F. But Terminal F was never built ... until now.
Construction on a brand new Terminal F began this past summer (2023). My hunch: terminal F will be bigger than 99% of all publicly accessible airports in the US. In the US there are 5,170 airports open to the general public and 503 of them serve commercial flights. Fact check.

This Will Be Awesome -- It Explains Why Vision Pro Is Available As Of February 2, 2024 -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46611AAPL.

Vision Pro: available for pick-up in stores on February 2, 2024, and if pre-ordered, available for pick-up in stores on that date.

And then?

 

And look at the entertainment! Wow! My hunch: viewership will hit an all-time record. 

 

And, the next question? Apple is scheduled to report earnings on February 1, 2024:

Third Of Four Playoff Games Completed -- Detroit Lions Win -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46610LIONS.

Without question, the six teams that have played this weekend (so far -- two more teams yet to play) -- have been a gazillion times more exciting than whatever the Dallas Cowboys might have been. Incredible games. It was a heart breaker for the Green Bay Packers yesterday but that's fine. The games have been incredible. 

The Cowboys are absolutely predictable:

  • start out slow in the first quarter;
  • get some early touchdowns in first half, and look like they might win
  • the game starts to get close and they might actually be ahead at the half, but then....
  • Dak interceptions in the third quarter and Dallas is so far behind, no chance to win
  • the opposing team puts in their second-string players; and,
  • Dak pads his stats with passing yardage and more TDs but nowhere enough to actually win the game.

Now back to today's game and American royalty.

Move over Kate, Charles, William, and Harry. LOL.

Here's the real deal when it comes to royalty.


The Atlantic
, September 4, 2023.

Here's the "royal" lineage:

Has Enerplus Fracked The Gemstone Pad? January 21, 2024

Locator: 46609B.

The Gemstone pad is tracked here.

From April 26, 2023:

Three new permits, #39853 - #39855, inclusive:

  • Operator: Enerplus
  • Field: Eagle Nest (McKenzie)
  • Comments:
    • Enerplus has permits to drill three wells, the Jade, the Yak, and the Wildebeest, lot 4 section 36-149-95; 
      • to be sited 157 FSL and between 1515 FWL and 1585 FWL.

Update (all DUCs / NC)

  • 39853, NC, Jade,
  • 39854, NC, Yak,
  • 39855, NC, Wildebeest,

Then, to the east, the next pad over, the Gemstone pad, an Enerplus pad:

  • 22531, IA/754, Enerplus, Emerald 148-95-03A-10H, Eagle Nest, t1012; cum 361K 5/23; off line as of 5/23;
  • 22530, IA/712, Enerplus, Bradfield 31-14H, Eagle Nest, t1012; cum 269K 5/23; off line as of 5/23;
  • 39795, NC, Sapphire,
  • 39796, NC, Ruby,
  • 39797, NC, Topaz,
  • 39798, NC, Garnet,
  • 39799, NC, Diamond,
  • 39800, NC, Opal,
  • 39801, NC, Pearl,

This suggests Enerplus has fracked the "Gemstone" pad.

Jobless Claims -- The Fed Doesn't Matter -- The Jobs Matter -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46608JOBS.

Link here.

So much happened last week, a lot was lost in all the chatter and all the headlines.

The jobs report was one of the biggest stories last week. 

Too many investors are focused on the Fed rate and how the jobs number will affect what the Fed will do.

The "buzz" suggests the next Fed rate cut will be later than sooner. 

That's fine.

The "buzz" also says investors are happy with the Fed leaving things alone.

If that's true, what does that mean? Investors see an incredibly strong / resilient American economy.

In a presidential election year.

Strong economy? Euphemism for no recession. 

Could the "soft landing" talk change to (keeping the metaphor) a "touch and go" followed by an afterburner takeoff (led by tech)?

The jobs report:

  • they're paying taxes and buying things;
  • indicates companies are hiring;
    • despite large operations shutting down (EV manufacturers)
  • wages are not stopping companies from hiring;
  • hiring increases despite automation taking away a lot of those jobs;
  • a lot of folks still working from home;


Population Manhattan, NY: 1.63 million

  • if three / family = 550,000 families
  • 20,000 homes -- inconsequential -- and renters won't pay the kind of taxes corporations would
  • if Manhattan inching toward Gazification?
  • idle chatter
  • but, on the other hand, if these 22,000 homes were to become millionaires' homes ... but is the mayor looking for "affordable" housing / "emergency" housing for undocumented tourists from Texas?

Amazon: The Cloud Shows No Evidence Of Slowing Down -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46607AWS.

Link here

From the linked article:

Amazon’s cloud ambitions are going global. Amazon Web Services said Friday, January 19, 2024, it will invest $15 billion in Japan by 2027 to expand its cloud infrastructure in Tokyo and Osaka to meet growing demand.
Japan has lagged behind in its generative artificial intelligence development but the government, and its tech companies, are battling to catch up. Amazon is happy to help, and in the process expand its global footprint.

Look at the size of that deal / investment: $15 billion.

A billion-dollar investment should get one's attention. But $15 billion? Wow. And a US company in Japan at that. Taking coals to Newcastle. LOL.

From themes - 2024:

Information: it's all about AI.

More from the linked article:

In May last year, the tech giant’s cloud unit pledged to invest $12.7 billion in India by 2030, again to meet growing demand for cloud services.
That long-term commitment will take AWS’s total investment in India to $16.4 billion after it funded the launch of two data infrastructure regions in Mumbai and Hyderabad between 2016 and 2022.
Its Japanese endeavors have followed a similar blueprint, launching in Tokyo and 2011 and Osaka in 2021 before embarking on a major expansion in the years ahead.

This is not for selling books. This is AWS -- selling "cloud space" to the rest of the world.

Those selling "cloud services"?

  • AWS (Amazon)
  • Meta
  • AAPL (Apple)
  • GOOG (Alphabet / Google)
  • Microsoft


 Link here.

Apple is Google's cloud #1 customer. 

And what do they need?

  • blades (Nvidia and all the rest);
  • cables (Cisco?

Personal investing

  • Cisco is in my portfolio but it's not in my "bucket list." That could change.
  • a few weeks ago I added Oracle to my bucket list.

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 

Again, all my posts are done quickly. There will be typographical and content errors in all my posts. If any of my posts are important to you, go to the source.

A Little San Antonio Trivia -- Toyota 1794 -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46606TOYOTA.

Link here.

History here.

Premium leather:

Portand, Oregon, Electricity Debacle -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46605PORTLAND.

Stories out of Portland, OR, being reported that some folks are still without electricity after eight days due to ice storm and trees falling on transmission lines. 

About a month ago we noted that the city was replacing a pole, reinforcing a pole, or removing a tree, or doing something two houses down from where Judah and Levi live. That probably was a life-saver for my daughter's family. They lost electricity for one day but are currently doing fine. Knock on wood.

I asked Laura if any trees fell on lines in her neighborhood. Her answer:

I didn't see any trees down in our neighborhood. The three attached photos are from a friend of ours -- a little more south east from us (maybe a 15min drive way). Luckily nothing his his house, but it landed in the driveway, cutting them off from going in or out. So much ice. I think he is spending today, now that we are beginning to thaw out, cutting that tree and moving it. 

There were several stories that people, who had trees fall on their house or their neighbor's houses, commented they filed for permits this past year to get tress removed in Portland city limits (we did not need a permit, as we are in Gresham), but either nothing came of the permits -- even after follow up phone calls.

Other people were denied because the trees were alive and/or more than 12 inches in diameter. Crazy. They try to prevent this and the city either dragged their feet or denied them. I think insurance companies should go after the city or the homeowners should. It's crazy.

Week 3: January 15, 2024 -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46604TOPSTORIES.

Top, top story

  • the US stock market surges
  • Americans' confidence in US economy takes surprising "positive" turn

Top story

  • US Navy hitting back at Yemeni Houthis
  • regional "wars" everywhere: Gaza, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Ukraine
    • all are in somewhat of a "steady state" situation
  • with Biden, Americans don't know how good they have it, and Trump is getting all the headlines

Top international non-energy story:

  • Gaza: Israel shows no sign of letting up
  • Ukraine: not looking good for the home team; GOP wants to stop funding
Top international energy story:
  • OPEC+ no longer in control
  • US producing at record level

Top national non-energy story:

  • US equity markets: Dow, S&P 500 hit all-time highs
  • tech sector: all-time highs
  • US economy surprisingly strong; consumer surprisingly resilient
  • EV manufacturers had a very, very bad week
  • Ford to cut back on on EV Ford 150-Lightning
  • winter story Gerri one for the books

Top national energy story:

  • ERCOT holds up surprisingly well;
  • significant cut in US shale production due to extreme cold: seems to have minimal impact on pricing;

Focus on fracking: link here.

Top North Dakota non-energy story:

Top North Dakota energy story:

  • winter storm Gerri is going to cut Bakken production by as much as half!

Geoff Simon's quick connects: link here.

Bakken economy:

Commentary
  • adverse ruling against DAPL now at 75%. Risk was negligible a year ago, then 50-50. Now 75-25. Investors? Think BNSF.

Week 2: January 8, 2024 -- January 14, 2024

Locator46467TOPSTORIES. 

Top, top story:

Top story

  • US, UK lead coalition to take out the Houthi rebels
  • other regional "wars" are in somewhat of a stalemate, status quo

Top international non-energy story:

  • Gaza: Israel shows no sign of letting up, but now no longer front page news
  • Ukraine: not looking good for the home team
Top international energy story:
  • Red Sea events push WTI to $73, but no break-out
  • US producing at record levels
  • Venezuela about to flood the global markets with oil
  • Germany: de-industrializing due to high-priced energy (natural gas and electricity)

Top national non-energy story:

  • US equity markets respond to lacklaster success of Fed to bring down inflation
  • US economy surprisingly strong; consumer surprisingly resilient
  • auto sector: Stellantis showing its EV muscle

Top national energy story:

Focus on fracking: link here.

Top North Dakota non-energy story:

Top North Dakota energy story:

Geoff Simon's  quick connects: link here.

Bakken economy

  • plugging along; active rigs jump to 40
  • still waiting word on future of the DAPL
Commentary

MRVL #2? NVDA #1? Citi -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46604INV.

Link here

From the linked story:

Marvell Technology stock was rising Friday, January 19, 2024, after a Citi analyst named the chip maker as its No. 1 specialty semiconductor pick. 

Citi analyst Atif Malik said in a research note Friday that Marvell is now his favorite specialty chip stock, while Nvidia is now No. 2. 

Malik maintained Buy ratings for both Marvell and Nvidia, with targets of $75 and $575 for their respective stock prices. “We like the stock setup in 2024 on continued AI optics growth, layering of custom ASIC AI project sales, and bottoming out of non-cloud markets like enterprise networking and carrier,” Malik said of Marvell. 

Marvell stock was up 1.8% to $69 on Friday, while shares of Nvidia rose 2.8% to $587.09.

Personal investing

  • I recently removed BA and CVX from my "bucket list." I replaced them with MRVL. This is not new. Previously posted. MRVL may not be a long-term holding. We'll see.
  • It's hard to believe I first mentioned MRVL on November 9, 1921. Time flies.

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 

Again, all my posts are done quickly. There will be typographical and content errors in all my posts. If any of my posts are important to you, go to the source

KMI Earnings -- 4Q23

Locator: 46603INV.

Link here.



Personal investing: Monday, I will remove KMI from my portfolio and place those proceeds into OKE. 

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 

Again, all my posts are done quickly. There will be typographical and content errors in all my posts. If any of my posts are important to you, go to the source.

Earnings This Next Week -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46602B.

Link here.

The Galloway Wells Have Been Updated; A Well Of Interest With No Evidence Of The Halo Effect But Goes Over 600K -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46601B.

The Galloway wells have been updated.

Well of interest:

  • 22044, 700, Zavanna, George 19-30 1H, Stockyard Creek, t10/12; cum 611K 11/23; no real halo effect, but nearby fracking did not hurt. Recent production:
PoolDateDaysBBLS OilRunsBBLS WaterMCF ProdMCF SoldVent/Flare
BAKKEN11-2023301987203258662305810078846
BAKKEN10-202331234622656965237665920598
BAKKEN9-20233030113002674320732420714
BAKKEN8-2023313726373879522621779939
BAKKEN7-2023312851295588602577192211
BAKKEN6-2023303206311093522599595895
BAKKEN5-20232630552994932420392775412
BAKKEN4-2023112424577707217650
BAKKEN3-202331454513931978951021
BAKKEN2-202328243243199115768399910
BAKKEN1-2023191919116211013240352
BAKKEN12-20220000000
BAKKEN11-20220000000
BAKKEN10-20221713501641149113559426674
BAKKEN9-20223028042858344227857945847
BAKKEN8-202231306130673702306051006342

Four Investing Links -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46600INV.

The links:

  • AMD is a superstar stock, Yahoo!Finance. 
  • history suggests the NASDAQ will surge in 2024: one "Magnificent Seven" stock to buy before it does, The Motley Fool.

And then this:

  • Warren Buffett is set to make $2 billion in dividend income in 2024 from just three stocks, The Motley Fool.

After having a chance to think about "this" over the past few weeks / months, it's my firm belief that Jerry Jones and Warren Buffett think alike. It's all about cash. And bragging rights. Winning rings and trophies are nice, but not all that important. 

And then this, the fourth link:

  • Wealth management vs financial advisor, apmoneywise via Yahoo!Finance: this is one of the most poorly written articles I've read on this subject, and believe me, I've read lot. 

The author is correct, but, wow, what a lousy way to explain it.

This is my elevator speech:

  • wealth management: many, many services in addition to financial advice, but incredibly expensive (see below); there's a reason Fisher Investments want you to invest with them, and why they can afford all those slick television commercials; often, the hook: "tax loss harvesting."
  • financial advisor: limited services, but incredibly less expensive than a "wealth manager."

When I was first introduced to a wealth manager at Schwab, I was delighted. I finally found "what" I was looking for. But about six months ago I started doing the math. Holy mackerel. I was so wrong.

If you plan to meet with a wealth manager before signing on the dotted line, ask these questions in this order:

  • how much of my portfolio will be managed by your company? [That's how your fee is assessed.]
  • how much does my portfolio currently pay me annually in dividends and capital gains? [Dollar amount. Percents are good for comparison; but "dollars" is what really matters.]
  • how much will your company charge me (not percent but in real dollars) for your services?
  • what is the percent of your company's take of my total annual dividends / capital gains? [Just for grins; it's the dollars that matter but the percent will surprise you.]

Now, go back to the article:

  • a very, very high-earning couple have $500,000 in their investment portfolio that would be managed by the wealth manager
    • the portfolio is currently throwing off about 3% dividends and capital gains (the 3% could vary from 0.00% to 10% depending on the type of portfolio one holds)
    • 0.03 x 500,000 = $15,000
  • the wealth manager's fee is 1.24% of the couple's $500,000 portfolio under management
    • 0.0124 x 500,000 = $6,200
  • now, the zinger (and watch the face of the wealth manager when he does the math)
    • 6,200 / 15,000 = 0.41
    • your wealth manager will take 41% of your dividends ($6,200)
  • in addition, the government will take a minimum of 15% of your dividends ($2,250)
    • 2250 + 6200 = 8450
    • if you live in a state where income is taxed, add a bit more, but leaving that out for now:
    • $8,450 / $15,000 = 56% to taxes and the wealth manager (the latter getting the vast majority of that)
  • bottom line, without adding in taxes: $6,200 (wealth manager's fee) is a lot of cash that could have gone toward additional investments, 
    • especially when it represents 41% of your portfolio's income

So, "boss," you tell me you are charging me 1.24% to manage my portfolio -- wow, what a deal but in fact, you're taking 41% of my "take home pay" from that portfolio.

Years ago, discount brokers led the way in trading / commission reform. I remember paying upwards of $500 for relatively small trade with Merrill Lynch before Schwab stepped in. Then I paid $4.95 / trade and now trades are commission-free.

Wealth managers have a lot of problems with "annuities." I can see why: the two are in direct competition.

When I first started investing (39 years ago), I had a devil of a time) figuring out how to plan for retirement. Commissions, fees, and taxes were so incredibly high on investments.

But since then the US government has authorized so many ways to fund a retirement program at almost no cost and so generous, I doubt anyone earning less than $350,000 really needs a wealth manager or financial advisor, assuming those individuals:

  • have completed high school;
  • continue to educate themselves (best advice: take an online beginner's finance course or buy a book for $16.00.)
  • establish a relationship with a discount broker. 

First step:

  • max out company pension plans, 401(k)
  • max out IRAs (traditional and IRA), including spousal IRA for a non-income earning spouse
  • max out health savings accounts (very, very optional depending on one's circmstances)
  • max out 529s (it is "almost" impossible for couple earning $350,000 / year to max out a 529)

Second step:

  • after all the above, if one has any more money to invest, and I would find that almost impossible on a $350,000 salary,
  • invest in your discount brokers ETFs (or similar vehicles); there will be several from which to choose

Third step:

  • pay attention to taxes but that's way, way down the list

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them. 

Again, all my posts are done quickly. There will be typographical and content errors in all my posts. If any of my posts are important to you, go to the source.

A Day In The Life Of A Hertz Tesla Customer -- Barron's -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46599EVS.

Link here

Some weeks ago, IIRC, The WSJ had a similar article. 

This is absolutely incredible. I'm amazed the writer could remain so composed while writing this article. His experience was an unmitigated disaster. 

The graphic: one of the most populated regions of the US, and, along the route, only ... drum roll .... ten Tesla Superchargers -- none in Cleveland (?); two in Pennsylvania; one in New Jersey and, of course, one at the Hertz Rental center at the NY airport.

On top of all this, Hertz charges an exorbitant fee if the vehicle is not fully charged when it is returned.

US GDP -- 3Q23 -- 4.8%

Locator: 46598GDP.

From Yahoo!'s morning brief, link here:

Link here:


 And then this:


Initial Production For Wells Coming Off Confidential List This Next Week -- January 21, 2024

Locator: 46597B.

  • 39728, conf, WPX, Bull Moose 28-27HEL, Reunion Bay, npd,
  • 39112, conf,  Hess, EN-Hegland-155-94-0508H-5, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231556528551
10-20231527621983
9-2023886911938
8-20234392168854
7-20233772334
  • 38991, conf, Whiting, Bigfoot 42-26-2TFHU, Sanish,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231232816890
10-2023993810393
9-202396078933
8-20231100510719
7-2023011
  • 39727, conf, WPX, Bull Moose 28-27HZ, Reunion Bay, npd,
  • 39538, conf, Hess, EN-Enger-156-94-1423H-7, Big Butte,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231534319450
10-20231602513665
9-20232859249988
8-20234659073001
7-2023581306
  • 39111, conf, Hess, EN-Hegland-155-94-0508H-4, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231681623682
10-20231946128275
9-20232212629684
8-20235263972353
7-202337094363
  • 39726, conf, WPX, Bull Moose 28-27HD, Reunion Bay, npd,
  • 39153, conf, Hess, RS-F Armouur-156-92-1224-3, Ross,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231122111004
10-2023117758939
9-20232001820014
8-20233278027689
7-202333311806
  • 39725, conf, WPX, Bull Moose 28-27HT, Reunion Bay, npd,
  • 39152, conf, Hess, RS-F Armour-156-92-1224H-2, Ross,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20232177318637
10-20231922916847
9-20232612425776
8-20233691150318
7-202372666644
  • 39050, conf, Oasis, Bergem 5199 43-33 3T, Tobacco Garden,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20233187240972
10-20233265141847
9-20233450644641
8-20233017936817
  • 39049, conf, Oasis, Bergem 5199 43-33 2B, Tobacco Garden,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20234011852333
10-20233673647263
9-20233465644336
8-20233484247437
  • 40041, conf,  CLR, Quale Federal 4-1H, Antelope, npd,
  • 35367, conf, Enerplus, Possum 152-94-23CH-TF2, Antelope,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231777229829
10-20231169517336
9-20232064830298
8-20232367435261
7-202337924008
  • 35368, conf, Enerplus, Bandicoot 152-94-23CH-TF1, Antelope,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231389929168
10-20231713434525
9-20232082839333
8-20232098835101
7-202347355086
  • 37345, conf, Whiting, Bigfoot 23-11 5H, Sanish,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
9-20232063821147
8-20231733816271
7-202332983212
  • 35369, conf, Enerplus, Quoll 152-94-23CH, Antelope,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-2023032
10-202331853985
9-202318302301
8-202305030
7-202311633703
  • 30916, conf, BR, Saddle Butte 14-9 MBH-ULW, North Fork, npd,
  • 39280, conf, Liberty Resources, CA C 158-93-21-23-2MBHX, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20231750419121
10-20232051718047
9-20232110415025
8-2023131034271
7-202320640
  • 39279, conf, Liberty Resources, CA C 158-93-21-23-1MBHX, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20232192221376
10-20232109717923
9-20233643530436
8-2023178728131
7-20239110
  • 39278, conf, Liberty Resources, NV C 158-93-16-14-20MBHX, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20232080013796
10-20232093514139
9-20233361420184
8-202382747895
7-202332594250
  • 39277, conf, Liberty Resources, NV C 158-93-16-14-5MBHX, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20232010618445
10-20232245719153
9-20232660727402
8-20232429431101
7-2023213287
  • 39051, conf, Oasis, Bergem 5199 43-33 4B, Tobacco Garden,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
11-20233799951817
10-20233808246685
9-20233912250076
8-20234304660331
  • 30915, conf, BR, Saddle Butte 14-9 TFH, North Fork, npd
  • 39946, conf,  Resonance Exploration, Resonance Lodoen 12-36H INJ, Sergis, npd,
  • 30914, conf, BR, Curtis 14-9 MBH, North Fork, npd,