Print the page
Increase font size

Posted June 18, 2021

Aaron Gentzler

By Aaron Gentzler

$1,000 Sign Up Bonus To Work Part-Time at an Arcade

More feedback on labor “shortages”, wages, and unemployment. Today we feature, and respond to, a thoughtful letter:

“All jobs have different skill requirements and depending on what goods and services a company sells… [the market] determines what customers are willing to pay for those goods and services.”

Agreed. The reader continues…

“For most companies that is what determines what companies can pay for the skills needed. Every employee is selling their skills to a company for wages paid.”

Ok. Wages paid to employees, benefits, perks, etc. are a more complicated equation than just the net result of market demand for a company’s goods or services. But generally, we agree.

Today’s reader concludes…

“Also where the job is located should determine minimum wage for minimum skills. Cost of living varies greatly depending on location so a national minimum wage makes no sense also.”

None of your arguments send off alarm bells. Nothing you say, dear reader, strikes us as a stretch of the truth.

So why is policy so hard? You and I can have a conversation and understand each other. Why can’t we get folks back to work?
A friend recently sent us a picture of a sign outside a boardwalk arcade at a popular beach in Delaware. The arcade seeks part-time help for the summer.

The tourists are back, after all. The sign read… “$1,000 Sign Up Bonus!”

Minimum skills… to work at an arcade. Market forces… minimum wages… ridiculous sign up bonuses… cost of living at the Delaware beach…

… Maybe this is more complicated after all.

Send your opinions to, TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com

Your Rundown for Friday, June 18, 2021…

Ford is Ready to Roll

MarketWatch reported Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) shares jumped 2.4% pre-market yesterday on news the company expects strong earnings in the second quarter.

In a statement, Ford executives said the Lightning F-150 pickup truck, Bronco SUV, and Maverick compact truck are all receiving a “strong” stream of reservations.

Ray Blanco, in Technology Profits Confidential, recommended Ford in September last year at $6.90 a share.

Ray’s original thesis was Ford’s stake in Rivian, an electric vehicle company, could prove enormously valuable were Rivian to IPO.

Rivian’s eventual market debut remains some ways away, but Ford shares have rocketed higher in the last nine months, trading at writing as high as $15.40.

And this might just be the start of a big run for Ford shares…

Taking a deeper look, Fox Business said earlier this week Ford already has 125,000 solid orders for the Bronco SUV.

The Detroit Free Press reported late last week over 100,000 F-150 Lightning pre-orders.

Two weeks ago CNET said so far this year Ford has produced 27,816 fully electric Mustang Mach-E’s, which is more than the number of regular Mustang’s the company’s made this year.

Strong earnings, smart tech investments, and robust orders for new vehicles - Ford’s having a moment. Big news from Rivian could really throw things into overdrive…

Market Rundown for Friday, June 18, 2021

At midday yesterday, the S&P 500 was off 0.38% at 4,207.

Oil was down $2.32 at $69.83.

Gold was down $90.70, nearly 4.9%, at $1,770.

Bitcoin was down just shy of 1%, at $38,504.

Have a nice weekend and we’ll talk again on Monday.

Send your comments and questions to, TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com

For The Rundown,

Aaron Gentzler

Aaron Gentzler
Editor, The Rundown
TheRundownFeedback@StPaulResearch.com

Trump Tax (Cuts) Both Ways

Trump Tax (Cuts) Both Ways

Posted March 25, 2024

By Matt Insley

A permanent TCJA might be a two-edged sword…
Copper’s Momentum Makers

Copper’s Momentum Makers

Posted March 22, 2024

By Matt Insley

Several Paradigm analysts see a very interesting pattern developing in copper’s price.
Apple’s “Project Graymatter”

Apple’s “Project Graymatter”

Posted March 20, 2024

By Matt Insley

Paradigm’s AI expert James Altucher says: “Competition if the name of the game.” When it comes to AI, Apple has a lot of ground to cover.
 Atomizing Germany (Today’s Re-Rundown)

Atomizing Germany (Today’s Re-Rundown)

Posted March 18, 2024

We need to face it,” says guest editor Sean Ring, “the nation-state known as Germany needs to disappear.
China’s Bedrock Crumbles

China’s Bedrock Crumbles

Posted March 15, 2024

By Matt Insley

“The boring old industrial mining sector is now becoming the foundation of a global upheaval,” says Byron King, talking up “supercritical minerals.”
“In a World Where Treasuries Can be Confiscated at Will…”

“In a World Where Treasuries Can be Confiscated at Will…”

Posted March 13, 2024

By Matt Insley

“In a world where Treasuries can be confiscated at will,” says Jim, “gold is the liquid, safe alternative and appeals to many investors.”