Snapshots that wow!
                                            
                                            Dry powder still persists 
                                            
                                            The 9% growth in online sales on Black Friday surprised some given
                                                the narrative around impending US recession. However given that US
                                                households still have an estimated $433 billion in excess savings
                                                remaining from the 2020-21 stimulus programs, the black friday sale
                                                number ain’t a surprise.
                                           
                                            Source : Fed
                                              Unicorns, returning to the myths again! 
                                         
                                            22021 was a whole other world.  
                                            Source: Pitchbook
                                            Pests, the unloved sunrise sector! 
                                             
                                            Since 1998, revenues for pest control & exterminating services have grown without interruption at 6% CAGR in the US!
                                            And their gross margins have more than doubled in the last two decades! 
                                            Source: US Census Bureau
                                            The great working capital correction! 
                                             
                                            Cash generation focus by the Russell 1000 universe of 
                                                companies in the US has been a persistent trend since post the 
                                                GFC crisis. This was briefly interrupted by the supply chain 
                                                issues caused by the pandemic. With shortages and the fear of 
                                                same behind us, the working capital/ sales ratio has resumed 
                                                its downward trajectory!
                                            Source: Financial Times, Morgan Stanley Research
                                            Frozen, Part 3 
                                              
                                            “Pending home sales in the US have moved down to their 
                                                lowest level since April 2020, a month where much of US 
                                                economy was shut down. The housing market is frozen.”
                                            Source: Charlie Bilello
                                             Narratives hide reality
                                             
                                            America produces nearly 50% more crude oil than Saudi Arabia.
                                            Source:The Economist