6A Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1. Economic Trend: U.S. Home Sales Inch Up, Raising Hopes That Slump Is Easing

a.     Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-existing-home-sales-rose-in-august-11568901750

b.     This opportunity might exist because over time people have been watching the numbers and facts to see how home sales will grow and will continue to grow. There have been 16 months of decline in the home sales market, but recently it has gone into two months of growth.

c.     The prototypical customer is those who are looking to buy homes, current homeowners, people with apartments, and mortgage companies.

d.     I think that exploiting this opportunity will not be difficult because people are always looking to buy homes. Also, current homeowners with high mortgages keep up with the market to see the right time to refinance their mortgage.

e.     I saw this opportunity because my parents have been keeping up with the home sales market because they are looking to sell our house possibly. This would be great information to share with them and show them that this may be their opportunity to refinance or sell.

2. Economic Trend: Oil Spikes, Auto Strikes Join List of Supply Shocks

a.     Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-spikes-auto-strikes-join-list-of-supply-shocks-11568805115

b.     This opportunity exists because the supply and labor markets are closely monitored and affect many people and industries. Investors and economist have to analyze these shocks over time to see if it will undermine economic growth, increase inflation, or both.

c.     The prototypical customers are Americans consumers, investors, economists, countries that import oil, oil-producing countries, and workers from the auto industry.

d.     This opportunity may be kind of difficult to exploit because many people are being affected by the supply shocks. Some industries, workers, and investors will have to watch the supply and labor markets and will not be able to pinpoint how bad the effect of these shocks will be.

e.     I saw this opportunity because I was intrigued by the headline talking about the oil production supply being shocked. I know that usually when supply is shocked this can have a negative impact and raise prices. This particularly pertains to me because this can raise gas prices for me and everyone else.

3. Regulatory Change: Trump rule would roll back emission standards on methane, which contributes to climate change

a.     Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/29/climate-damaging-methane-rules-would-evaporate-under-trump-proposal/2151053001/

b.     This opportunity might exist because Trump’s rollback on methane regulation is a controversial issue. The methane regulation was in place to cut back on greenhouse emissions that contribute to climate change. Some people agree with the rollback; however, some believe that this is not in the best interest of the environment.

c.     The prototypical customer is methane-producing companies, people all over the world, environmental groups, and public health organizations.

d.     This opportunity will probably be easy to exploit because climate change has been an issue more people have been getting concerned with. There has been evidence from places like the North Pole, Greenland, and the Amazon rainforest that show effects of climate change.

e.     I saw this opportunity because I do care about the environment. I want to make sure that I am supporting someone in power who also cares for the environment.

4. Regulatory Change:  Immigration agency will re-allow requests for medical deferments to avoid deportation

a.     Source: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/politics/uscis-deferred-action/index.html

b.     Immigration has been an issue that has been widely discussed this past year. Trump has been pretty strict on immigration policies leading to many people being detained. It is good to see the administration taking steps to allow deferments to at least let people stay for medical reasons.

c.     The prototypical customer is illegal immigrants, the government, and civil right groups.

d.     This opportunity will probably be kind of difficult to exploit because immigration policies are getting stricter. For this opportunity to be taken seriously, civil right groups and individuals will have to advocate strongly for immigrants.

e.     I saw this opportunity because it is a sad issue that I wish wasn’t such a problem. People should be allowed to come to a different country at least to get some medical help or general help that is not offered from their home country. It shouldn’t take lawsuits and threats for the government to make changes to harsh policies that don’t help immigrants.