Know The Difference Minute

The best growth since 2003

Key interest rates are staying near zero—a spot they’ve been in since March of last year.

The last time the index was this high was February 2020, just before COVID slammed doors shut. This month’s reading is the 4th straight monthly increase.

Like autos, prices are rising—but perhaps to the point where people are crying Uncle.

Half of new car buyers are now paying within 5% of sticker price.

There was certainly a North American story to tell with retail sales up 30% and sales of 32,000 bikes.

Retail sales in March were through the roof, up nearly 10%. That’s the biggest jump since last May and blew past the 5.9% prediction.

After opening at $381 per share, it had a fully diluted market value around $102 billion.

The index that covers everyday items like groceries, clothing, recreation, and vehicles is up 2.6%.

Uber drivers logging onto the app for driving gigs was down 40% in first quarter 2021.

While Facebook, Reddit, and even NextDoor.com saw increased usage, the clear social media app pandemic winner was YouTube.

TSA screenings have averaged at least 1 million per day for the last 26 days.

ISM tracks 18 industries and says 17 expanded in March led by increases in production, new orders, and employment.

69% of employers expect at least half of employees to work remotely some of the time.

Home prices nationally are up over 11%year-over-year, the largest gain in nearly 15 years.

The average US price hit $2.88 this week—a 30% increase from a year ago.

There is a growing preference of only watching highlights and final scores, especially for 18–34-year-old fans.

Men are more likely to ask with 59% of employed men planning to ask compared 48% of women.

The rapid rise of materials is creating issues. Lumber prices are up over 170% in the last year.

Most carriers confirm activity has been picking up for 3 weeks—Delta says 5. American’s bookings are just 20% below 2019.

Manpower reports nearly 25% of companies plan to hire workers in the next quarter. 1/3 will be back to full strength by July, half by the end of the year.

72% of CEOs surveyed say conditions for companies have already recovered—or will by the end of the year. Plans to hire more employees rose 30 points.

The February orders for 82 aircraft mark the first time since November 2019 that monthly sales have outpaced scrapped orders.

A new report from the US Census Bureau has revealed a majority of small businesses will not be requiring their employees to get tested or be vaccinated.

We can debate whether or not the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV really is a Mustang, but one thing is certain: it’s taking market share from Tesla.

People are consuming long-form entertainment but COVID changed the landscape, maybe for good.

In 2016, the average American household had 2 streaming services. In 2019 it was 3. In 2020, it was 4. ViacomCBS thinks it’s time for a 5th.

According to e-com platform Square, there was a surge in first-time Bitcoin buyers last month.

Except for a subtle Bar and Shield on the tank, these bikes look nothing like their brothers.

Based on a survey of 33,000 owners across 150 makes and models.

+5.3%. Take out autos and the number is closer to 6%.

Gasoline prices have risen 6 straight weeks. The storms in Texas aren't helping.

According to Walgreens— which is working with thousands of nursing homes and assisted care facilities—60% of employees at those facilities declined to take the shot.

96.4 million is a big number but down 5% from last year and the lowest since 2007.

ADP's January private payroll report showed 174,000 jobs were added back to the private sector in January, blowing past expectations.

According to the American Gambling Association, a record 7.6 million Americans will place online bets this year—up 63%.

In 2012, we used cash 40% of the time and two years ago, it was down to 26%.

The Biden administration signed a series of Buy American executive orders that includes replacing the entire government fleet of 645,000 with all-electric vehicles.

Mobs on Reddit forums are on the hunt for stocks with large short positions.

For the first time since Superbowl 17, there won’t be a commercial for Budweiser.

3 weeks ago, it wasn’t even in the top 1400. Now it is #7 overall

40% of hiring managers say their organizations have been affected by talent scarcity—the highest in 5 years.

It’s a technical partnership that has GM and Cruise using Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform for operations

In the US, regulation jumped from 9th last year to 4th in 2021. Corporate tax concerns climbed from 14th to 5th.

Disney Plus accounted for 6% of all December streaming while Netflix dipped 3%. Of the top 10 streaming movies last year, Disney Plus had 7.

Returns will cross $70 billion from the 2020 holiday shopping season alone. E-commerce returns jumped 70% in 2020.

Amazon has purchased 11 Boeing 767 jets from Delta and WestJet with an average price of $14 million. Once converted for cargo hauling, the jets will join the Amazon Air fleet.

A new report finds almost 67% of US residents over 18 wouldn’t have a problem if they found out a home gadget is listening.

American will have 91 daily flights using the 737 Max by late February or early March.

To reach herd immunity, experts maintain that 70% of the population needs to be vaccinated.