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Markets are settling into holiday mode, with stock futures slightly down on the last full trading day before Christmas. Here’s where things stand today: * Nasdaq-100: +0.37% * S&P 500: +0.04% (flat) * Dow Jones: -0.22% On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1.1%, recovering
Quantum computing stocks are taking off in 2024. Is this the start of something big? Let’s take a closer look Google’s Chip Changes the Game Google’s new Willow chip, a 105-qubit processor, hit a big milestone: * Fixed Errors: It solved a 30-year problem by cutting down error
Government surveys that track the economy are failing. Budgets are shrinking, people are skipping surveys, and economic data we rely on is becoming less trustworthy. This is a big deal—because when the numbers are wrong, decisions that affect markets, businesses, and everyday life go wrong, too. Here’s what’
The S&P 500 Value Index just dropped 3.7%, marking its longest losing streak on record. Meanwhile, Bitcoin smashed past the $100,000 mark, and the Nasdaq climbed to 20,000. To me, it seems that value stocks have been left in the dust, and investors chasing bigger
Almost $10 billion has poured into Bitcoin ETFs since the US election, pushing Bitcoin past the $100,000 mark for the first time. The momentum is crazy, with Bitcoin posting its best winning streak since 2021. With investors pouring in, knowing the risks are more important than ever. Bitcoin’s
Ever wondered how much we spend on food, booze, and fireworks for the Fourth of July? Last year, Americans spent billions celebrating. Dive into the numbers and see our spending trends.
Good morning! Hope your July 4th was filled with more fun than my attempt at grilling. Let’s talk about how much money we collectively burn on food, booze, and fireworks. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot.
Americans know how to feast. In 2023, we spent a whopping $9.5 billion on food alone for the 4th of July. From burgers to hot dogs, the average adult shelled out $93 on food. The cost of a cookout for 10 people was $67 (excluding drinks), a slight relief as prices dipped by 2.80% from 2022.
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Popular Food: We consumed 150 million hot dogs, with hot dog sales spiking by 20% every July.
Alcohol is a staple of July 4th celebrations. Last year, Americans spent a hefty $4.02 billion on booze. Beer, cider, and flavored malt beverages led the pack, with $2.5 billion in sales.
Wine and spirits weren’t left behind, pulling in $656 million and $900 million, respectively. Nearly 41% of Americans bought alcohol last year, so our Independence Day parties are anything but dry.
Fireworks are the literal highlight of the holiday. In 2023, we spent over $2 billion. The average cost per pound of fireworks has shot up, reaching $5.27 in 2022. About 28% of Americans purchased fireworks, spending an average of $30.65 each.
Our shopping habits are a good reflection of our enthusiasm for the 4th of July. In 2023, 94% of Americans shopped for their Fourth of July celebrations. 72.2% of us bought food, 40.9% picked up alcohol, and 19.1% grabbed decorations and party supplies.
Also intersting, inflation made us rethink our spending, with 83% of consumers adjusting their shopping habits. Most of us started shopping at least a week in advance, preparing to celebrate without breaking the bank.
The 4th of July isn’t just about staying home. Over 50 million people traveled at least 50 miles for the holiday, with plane ticket sales jumping by 11.2% from 2022. Decorations and non-alcoholic beverages were also on the list, with 29.6% of Americans buying them.
So, there you have it. We sure know how to spend on our Independence Day celebrations.