The National Retail Federation: Retail sales will increase between 2.5% and 3.5% in 2024

The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that retail sales will increase in 2024 between 2.5% and 3.5%. That is between $5.23 trillion and $5.28 trillion. It indicates that the market is still resilient and there is continued support to the economy from the retail industry and consumer spending. Theoretically, the U.S. economy is doing well and some projections of recession have not taken hold. We are still in a growth mold. Moderate can be a good thing for stabilization and balance.

More about retail...

Retail is the heartbeat of communities.

Retail is the heartbeat of communities.
Invest in Escanaba. Spaces for retail downtown
Escanaba Coffee photo in Wooded Pathway

Retail are those items we buy at the store and purchase online. The more people buy, the higher the economy. Downtowns and communities often live or die off of their retail quality. Retail is based on consumer demand. Where we purchase our products and who produces them counts.

There is a benefit in selling to consumers to generate taxes and wealth but it is also equally important for U.S. companies to start developing their retail production. Advanced manufacturing and innovation can make American products more appealing. The more we sell of our own, the more we receive the full benefits. 

You may be interested in understanding what the National Retail Federation does. They often seek to understand the market and the changes for their members and the industry in general. 

About NRF

"The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies, and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring, and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com "(NRA, 2024 Para 12).

Source: NRF

Delta County Commissioner's Meeting (3/19/24): Politics and Trash!

This was an interesting meeting so you will want to watch and make your own conclusions. Topics covered ranged from poor behavior all the way over to trash. Trash was the most productive conversation offered. Sometimes trash talk can be helpful. A few notable concerns of how national politics is limiting the community's potential. This is where trash talk is not helpful. 

Trash is Good News! Best Landfill in the State!

It was mentioned that the county wanted to make the best landfill in the state. It appears the country has some interesting things going on in terms of improving waste management. Nothing smelly about new things. We should always be open to new ideas and opportunities.

For those of us who care about our environment we know that its important to develop efficient landfills. Fiber Recovery Landfill.  It would be nice if someday we can develop the ability to recover all trash and repurpose it. That is a science question while protecting our environment is a moral-social discussion. 

National Politics: 

People are drawing the toxic nature of national political trash into our community and we don't need that here or anywhere else in the nation. Its important for people to stand for critical thinking and reject that which is not going to bring us much good. 

It is ok to understand the political, social, and economic environment and how our town fits within those environments but it can create challenges if people become promoters of unexamined beliefs, values, and policies (party neutral comment). Its not a judgement on those policies but a comment on how many of us don't really think about those policies and let others decide their value for us. 

It doesn't matter one's background, or even their political leanings, as we know the national hyper-political distortion is starting to impact our communities. Avoid getting wrapped into the issues and problems from outside the area. Stay focused on your community and its needs. Politics should used to improve our lives. There are those out there using it to create artificial dividing lines.

👎🙅 on political trash!

There is a quote by Plato I thought was interesting, “One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” 

We don't need people who hype up politics to heighten extreme beliefs, but we do need wise people to find solutions the community will support. Effective politics is based on knowledgeable people with the highest prosocial values. Politics is the art of influence and should be used only once a good idea has been vetted, examined and studied least someone does more harm than good.

Removing trash politics from our community is likely as important as removing the trash from the environment. Let us not waste our opportunities: pun intended. 🙊💨

Overcoming Military Recruitment: National Leadership and Business Support

The military has been a warrior's outlet since the beginning of society when man first learned about agriculture and in turn how to govern such resources (The Development of Agriculture). It serves an important function and provides a sense of honor and a noble pathway for development. Recruitment woes are apparent but I believe that Leadership and Business Community can help strengthen our military. This help comes in the form of changing their perceptions so as to ensure the military functions at its highest state and fosters broad cross-generational support.

Let me say that I am a biased person and respect the military and its offerings. For those of us not born with a silver spoon in our mouth, part of the gilded rich, or who don't have the social connections to obtain the best opportunities.....the military is one path for them. I have learned that life is often less than fair to many so when you have opportunities just go and grab them! 

If a motivated person maximizes what the military can teach them in terms of skill, leadership, and commitment they are likely to go far in life.

Let us first look at the problem... 

New Poll Spells Trouble for US Military Recruitment Woes

1. Low Trust in Institutions

2. Different Lives and Alternative Employment.

3. Strong Economy

4. Didn't think of the military as a career path.

5. Increasing use of digital media and changing methods.

Leadership Perception: Leadership is important for improving institutional trust. Hyper politics over the past decade or so has tainted how younger generations might see some of these institutions. It isn't the institutions themselves as they still maintain their important and necessary purpose to society. The issue may be more of how they view national leadership and the decisions they make over these institutions.

The military was designed at its root to defend our liberties. Most of the major decisions are made outside the military in the legislative or executive arenas (Its not party or role specific but a general leadership conception.) That purpose has been in the past extended beyond its initial purposes. It is possible, no matter how remote it seems as an explanation, that the issue of military recruitment challenges comes from the perception of politics and lack of reflective dialogue at the top; not the military itself (collectively).

(Of course, every institution can get better and more adaptive but that may not be the central to recruitment issues.) 

Of course, we can't say if  that the issues are more of leadership perception or not but we cannot definitively rule it out as a conceptually blended influencing factor. Because other institutions seem to be having the same problem of trust, which has been on a general declining trend, it is something that we might want to explore for solution generation (i.e. the purpose of politics as a free speech solution generator. Politics is not about getting what you want or pressing blind buttons. It is about making strategic decisions in the best interest of the nation.).

You may want to read Leadership Branding and Leadership and Commitment

Awareness of Opportunity: Businesses can further support the military by hiring vets and encouraging young to join a noble service. The soft and hard skills learned in the military should be highly sought after in the business world. There is nothing common about most of our vets and the skills they learned. They have unique skills. 

The business community and the military are also very connected to each other for long term success. The military is reliant on the economy and the economy is reliant on security. If one or the other is too weak or disjointed it will reduce their capacities. Knowledge flows between the two so therein lies opportunities to learn from each other. 

For some time I have talked about the value of human capital in the modern world. Likewise, I look at clusters and how they can impact economic development in industries; military, or civilian arenas. Economic Development and Military Effectiveness

Theoretical dribble, dribble, and feel free to formulate your own opinion. World Happiness Report 2024

If you're one of those people who want to serve their nation and do some interesting stuff in your life consider Calling a Recruiter. If you are more scientific in orientation try Science and Military They need good people who want to further our national interests. 

Economy is Stronger Than Expected: Rate Cuts and Reasons

Dr. Powell is discussing the neutral interest rate. The big debates are why the economy is still growing and whether there will be a rate cut? You can read about the 'Neutral Rate'. The first question will take scientific research while the second we only need to wait a short time until a decision is made. The economic data is mixed so keep that in mind as to why these can be complex.

From my perspective, I wonder if the economy will continue to stay on a homeostasis level thereby indicating we bumped up onto a digital platform. Such changes would make older economic theories less tight in their explanations because some of the root assumptions may have changed. This is just dry theory so zzzz for most people. 

Labor Market Forecasting Methods

Labor forecasting is important to help ensure companies have the right talent at the right time and place. In the past, people were seen simply as a head count to fill cogs in a production system. In today's world, talent needs may be complex and come with various skills and abilities. Having a method of understanding and procuring those human capital assets is beneficial.

I generally look at the mid to long-term market, current needs, internal resource supply, and the strategy of an organization to determine how to hire in preparation of likely change. In any strategic plan, there should be some planning on the type of skills employers need to fill current and future positions.  

Putting Forecasting in Focus

This is an actual study on demand forecasting. 

A Human Resource Demand Forecasting Method Based on Improved BP Algorithm

If you have a little free time you can consider reading this article by U.S. Bank on the current labor market. The effect of the job market on the economy

The Digital Economy Begins to Find a Homeostasis In the U.S.

It appears from a few economists and news outlets that the economy is moving into a homeostasis. Read this article and think about the mixed data but also the trends of normalization. Finding a new normal in economic development means we can better manage that economy. Adding new benchmarks and increased big data metrics also leads to stronger economic development through understanding and fine tuning long tail choices that can lead to higher stable economic performance (Geopolitical issues fall into a different basket and predictive method.) 

11 charts that show how covid changed the U.S. economy 

The articles below discuss change in the economy as changing of patterns as seen from the many micro transactions and choices that make up an economy and a people. When market disruptions occur at a time there are digital growth and other changes there is an adaptation that occurs. 

Economy Evolutionary Change Post Covid

If those adaptations, as based in internal and external pressures, can be modeled we might have found the beginning of the homeostasis of a higher socio and economic platform.

GDP Contracts 1st Q of 2020-Is It a Short Lived Shock and Digital GDP Recovery?

*This is just theory development. When a model can predict economic activities, even imperfectly, it is sometimes worth more then those that can discuss only in hindsight. Only time and additional research can determine causality of X and Y. However, one might say strategically it would make sense these adaptations would occur based on the conditions in which they occurred. 

A Universal vs. Non-Universal Justice System

Justice is an important concept in our society and when systems are not universalized they do cause problems and break social norms and contracts of fair treatment. As a nation we need to ensure that institutions function at their highest level possible and do so within the confines of our social contracts and values systems. Trust comes from consistently doing the right thing and when that doesn't happen it creates lower trust. Responsible authorities always look toward improvement where failures are repeated.

Let us explore an example of universal versus a bias system...

First let us say that the science does indicate that some bias often exists but the extent is in debate. Politics has become more important than our central value systems as a people so we see practical matters turn into political matters that creates chaos for others. We see that in our nation now with hyper politics lacking the ability to solve important societal problems and incorrectly framing behaviors.

One study indicates no or little bias occurs. Another study says that Implicit Bias does exist. They are meant to provide two perspectives.

1.Race, class, and criminal adjudication: Is the US criminal justice system as biased as is often assumed? A meta-analytic review

2. Getting Explicit About Implicit Bias

An example and two outcomes. 

Hypothetical Example: A minority family was targeted through a hate narrative and that was intentionally spread widely as possible to create as much harm and destruction as they could; i.e. the hate narrative. The goal was to force this family out of the area, enrich off of them, create disparities based on their racial or religious beliefs. Perpetrators were associated with a number of officers and utilized their position to tap into a corrupted network (i.e. police gang) who shared similar distorted beliefs (Bad officers impact their profession through lower recruitment and make it much harder for good officers to do their jobs. Wise people support integrity for the entire institution.) Each time this hate clan saw the victims they stalked them, violated their rights, attempted assault them and much more with plenty of witnesses. Others came forward with similar complaints and the local system ignored them and retaliated swiftly. Hate crimes against such minorities have risen and they typically go unreported or uncorrected depending who is the target and who is the perpetrator. Much is dependent on social networks and perceptions of value. 

(This article is for illustrative purposes only and should be seen as theoretical dribble.)

The difference between a biased and universal system..... 

Biased system: No matter how bad things get, how overwhelming the evidence, how many witnesses, or how destructive the perpetrators, the local justice system exonerates and protects such behaviors. Corruption through lack of checks and balances. The use of the word immunity is common and political discussions provided protections for illegal behaviors. Local extremists networks have mocked minorities and human rights. The system failed to correct and there are no recourse because the bigger purpose has been supplanted for ulterior purposes.

1. If you were a minority (Muslim, Jew, Catholic, White, Black, etc.) and you are aware that these systems seriously violated our laws and continue to do so to others with immunity would you trust them in the future?

2. Should we expect these behaviors to continue based on patterned behaviors?

Universal System: There was a reasonable attempt to correct the problem at its root and do its best to protect the rights of others. It makes no difference the racial, religious, or legally acceptable differences in human life as the system respects the Constitution in terms of how these differences should be seen. The system corrected the wrong and trained officers on how to be effective and fair in their activities because they have a deep commitment to serving the public. 

1. If you were a minority (Muslim, Jew, Catholic, White, Black, etc.) and you were aware these behaviors occurred, and the system corrected the situation, would you trust them in the future? 

2. Should we expect these behaviors to continue based on patterned behaviors?

Its an important discussion because where systems move into third world and clan orientation they also begin to erode the social fabric. Those who protect that social fabric are the types who encourage law enforcement and public stakeholders to work together to find solutions. Those who are destructive by nature protect poor behaviors and fail to correct them when they take on characteristics that are not helpful for the nation. I always advocate for improving all systems to their highest state of development. That requires commitment to that which we all believe. 

What kind of system do you want to see? Which do you think is best for communities or the nation?

Hypothetical Feather Party Encourages Critical Thinking During Election Season

The Hypothetical Party encourages all voting citizens of the United States to use critical thinking and wisdom when casting their vote during this year's election. There is no advocacy for or against any party. We believe that if each person takes a moment to truly vote their conscious that the nation as a whole will become stronger. Democracy seeks to collectively understand the needs of millions of individuals.

A few minutes of critical and cross evaluation can lead to greater insight, choices, and outcomes. 

Two descent articles on Critical Thinking....

What is Critical Thinking?

Predicting Everyday Critical Thinking: A Review of Critical Thinking Assessments

(We don't agree with or disagree with the research/articles but that they provide a perspective of critical thinking.)

Vote for any party or person you wish. Republican, Democrat or other! Just make sure you took a few minutes to check in with your personal beliefs and values so as not to be swept up by unexamined social perceptions. In this way, you have done your duty to democracy. You want to avoid voting strictly party line for convenience reasons if these values are not truly in alignment to your personal perspectives.

We wish everyone a happy election cycle and desire the best candidates to win. We have no loyalty to any party; not even our own.   (Technically we don't exist. See below.). 

*The Hypothetical Feather Party does not exist and is for learning purposes only. It is illustrative in nature to explore the possible benefits of a third party of independent voters who make decisions using critical thinking, long stemming democratic values, and the needs of the next generation as decision anchors. The Hypothetical Feather Party and HFP Decision Making . We are not on the ballot. :) Please don't attack a party that doesn't exit. Its silly!

Death Threats and Politics: Not the way to go!

Sending threating emails is not what people should do when they are frustrated. We have a democratic election process in place and people must use that appropriately. I would agree that the person who sent this should be investigated and if warranted brought up on charges. This is where police can do a lot of good for the community. 

I encourage people to take a chill pill and relax. No one should step outside that political process because it provides guidance passed down through the years as how to handle disagreement. Open dialogue and discussion makes the biggest difference in outcomes. We are all in this boat together.

Its likely to be a mental health issue but we will have to wait to see the outcomes. It seems childish but also in the crazy world we live in, worth investigating.

We as a nation should be getting tired of political threats. No matter who, the political perspective, or the issue. 

Firefighter Motivation: The Psychology of Firefighting

When thinking of applied psychology we may often think of business but it applies equally to public service as well. By understanding the traits that leads to certain strengths, it is important for helping future firefighter departments. The Psychology of Firefighting delves into the nature of firefighting in modern America. Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience was related to firefighter psychological skills use. 

You may donate to Michigan Fire Museum.

The Benefits of a Universal Justice System: Developing a Nation's Human Capital and Business Capacity

When we think of human capital and business capacity we often envision the hard aspects of business science and strategic management. Most of business and economic success is not in the cold hard sciences but in the soft way in which we treat each other. When we treat some different when compared to others, we are unlikely to maximize our human capital. Serious people and leaders think beyond their group to the possibilities of what could be and into supporting what we should be.

They used to call this visionary leadership and loyalty to a higher national purpose.

Two studies that are not necessarily conclusive but sort of just highlight some points.....

The study discusses how human capital has an influence on economic development. Revisiting the human capital–economic growth nexus in Africa

Another study indicates how disparity in the labor market limits economic opportunities for some people. Disparity in the Human Capital Market.

Two examples that sort of highlight the problem on a micro and on a group level:

1. The Lawyer: Lawyer was hired to investigate a tragic surgery death. He delayed the investigation to run out the clock. When questioned about it, he stated that no one cares about those people, insinuated she and everyone part of a religion was dangerous, no one cares about black people around here, and denigrated the dead and her children. Political, religious, and extremism warped that person's soul and likely reflects the values of their firm and social networks.

2. Hypothetical Targeting: Someone who worked with law enforcement wanted something and made up a hate narrative using race and religion as a dividing point among a large group of homogeneous bullies. This group went down a line of aggressive behaviors in full view of public officials. Appeared coordinated and well practiced. Others came forward with similar complaints.

These are two different types of cases. In the first case, it is the perception that one has the right to do what they want as long as its against certain minorities (White, Black, Muslim, Jewish, Asian, Hispanic, any...) and in the other case they can misuse entrusted authority for that end. Both are connected to the essential concept that the decision makers are more tied to their social, racial, and religious identities than the needs of the nation.

In both cases the hate they feel for others is transferrable. The young lawyer will likely grow up to be a person who will do anything for money and will sell out their soul to the highest bidder. The second example, corruption mixed with extremism will continue to create victims. They will continue because their environment normalized those behaviors as preferred methods of treating others.

I'm an advocate for fair treatment. I envision that as a universal democracy and broad based capitalism that judges and treats their fellow Americans based on merit and not any racial or religious difference. This value appears to be the most logical and in alignment with our trajectory of national growth and stated social contracts/artifacts.

We should work to do to ensure that the fundamentals of human capital are present and supported. Without treating every American fairly and with universal respect we won't be able to maximize that human capital. People learn from the unwritten codes and values more than they do from the written ones. This is why I believe in the wisdom that comes from generations of philosophers and religious leaders that states hate is a dark disease in any society and robs us from our true potential as a nation and as a people. Broadly speaking.

Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index Rise: Economy Growing Still (Transactional Platform Theory Development)

Will inflation still nip at our paychecks like little pariah's snapping the kernels of savings right from our fingertips? Snip snip be careful because these little inflationary nibbles do make everything else a little more expensive.  However, in general inflation is coming down and that is a good thing. It could be a sign of a new homeostasis as an economic benchmarks that balances between inflation and growth. That will depend on what happens in the next few quarters (Sounds good anyway. Maybe not? 🤷.) 

(The ultimate goal might be to increase the economy by expanding various sectors that minimize inflationary pressure at the root. This is why I think supply chain, human capital, resource allocation, innovation/science, expanding new markets/product lines, and stronger institutional focus can lead to growing economies in a more unified manageable level. Its a thought anyway. It encompasses much more than one might initially think. Perpetual Sustainable Economy.  )

The following was taken from the BEA Consumer Price Index for Feb, 2024:

"The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.3 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.2 percent before seasonal adjustment. 

Source

The index for shelter rose in February, as did the index for gasoline. Combined, these two indexes contributed over sixty percent of the monthly increase in the index for all items. The energy index rose 2.3 percent over the month, as all of its component indexes increased. The food index was unchanged in February, as was the food at home index. The food away from home index rose 0.1 percent over the month." (BEA, March 12, 2024, para 1, 2)

Two articles are provided. This one because the author was one of the first to post on the topic. NBC Consumer Prices Climb (Must be a digital nomad.). The other puts the inflation reading into its broader perspective which is not as bad as a falling sky perception.   Inflation since 1872  

You can also read a White House press release and how they break down core inflation into core goods, core services excluding housing, and housing in February 2024 CPI Report. They provide a solid explanation and you will want to read it to understand how such events are evaluated and perhaps some of the next steps that might be eventually taken. 

You may also ponder the Producer Price Index Summary. This metric lets us know that inflation might still have significant lift in the near term. 

"The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 0.6 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices increased 0.3 percent in January and edged down 0.1 percent in December 2023. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index advanced 1.6 percent for the 12 months ended in February, the largest rise since moving up 1.8 percent for the 12 months ended September 2023." (US. Bureau Labor, March 13, 24, para 1).

Initially I was thinking when the labor numbers came out that it might be time for a rate cut but this inflation information would counter some of that thought on timing. It looks like we are trying to glide the economy into a soft landing but keep experiencing economic lifts.

Discussion on theory....

It appears that the economy is still growing. From my research interests, it is modeled COVID forced the U.S. to go more online and that, along with infrastructure improvements, could lead to a higher Digital Era platform for a large country like the U.S.. COVID happened after the initial theory but it seemed to do well explaining quick fundamental market transactions. Thus, it was projected during COVID that in '23/'24 we will begin to see a higher economic platform start to emerge. If inflation declines but growth stays high, we may have meet a threshold for a new economic platform (I'm not sure if there are actual metrics for platform changes. In the past they may have took decades but this era a matter of 5 years to an initial start. Think of how fundamental things have changed in the past 5 years ranging from infrastructure to AI.) A type of digital era renaissance where new technology and socio-cultural shifts that create greater focus on innovation, human capital, and advanced manufacturing. With theory development one should accept that there is a null. A null is equally important. 

Veterans Center in Escanaba

Veterans are an important part of society and we owe them much. Two videos I found interesting about Escanaba as they relate to our care for veterans. You can find these discussions going on at the County level and within the community. Thank you for your service.

You may learn more at the Escanaba Vet Center.

Furthermore, there is a VA Research & Development 

Will the Hypothetical Feather Party Emerge During 2028 Elections?

The need for a third party is increasing and the benefits to national decision-making might be profound for the long-term health of the nation. Considering partisan deadlock on a significant percentage of important national decisions, the Hypothetical Feather Party may help tip votes in the long-term interest of the nation and the next generation based on long deeply rooted national values supported by evidence-based decision-making.  

(*The Hypothetical Feather Party (HFP) is non-existent and used for learning purposes to explore the idea of a stronger third party based on a loose collection of independent thinkers and politicians. You may learn more about the Hypothetical Feather Party HERE. HFP doesn't exist so please don't attack it. 😕)

However, while HFP doesn't exist it will discuss perspectives on different issues as they arise. It seeks to use a forest-for-tree approach that helps guide longer-term outcomes that benefit the nation and its rooted values. It can do that through supporting broad-based capitalism and a universal democracy. (It is for discussion on such important topics such as the budget.)

The Presidential Elections 2024

Two articles sort of highlight some problems we may face as a nation. Because this is a hypothetical discussion the idea is to be neutral on both parties' perspectives because the perceptional anchor is different. That does not necessarily extend to being neutral on ideas. Thus, the two articles below are not meant to be political but a broader understanding of decision-making and hype politics that limit that decision-making ability.

Less Productive Congress

Tone Down Political Rhetoric

The art of politics is about influence. The questions of motivations and ultimate outcomes are often amebic but likely rooted deeply in human instincts of self-preservation which not only influences partisan filters on how they process information but also their susceptibility to misleading information. Depolarizing American voters: Democrats and Republicans are equally susceptible to false attitude feedback

While unscientific, but still fairly accurate, we do know that we need critical thinking to get through these thorny issues when there are choices that must be made under imperfect conditions with imperfect information and under time constraints. The success and failure of any organization is based on decision-making ability and that will require critical thinking by both parties. What is Critical Thinking?

What would it take to influence and tip votes to protect the essentials of democracy and the nation's health through decision-making? That will require more research but one might start with a thumb in wind 10-15% of the political class and a broader 30%+ of society. Thus, strategically it would make sense for the HFP to focus on the values of the next generation as their voting demographic is likely to grow and are at this point in history the inheritors of the current political choices. 

Attracting youth happens through resonating with their own self-interest and youthful cognitive capacity/flexibility to understand that evidence-based strategic thinking designed around the values and needs of the next generation will create the greatest mid and long-tail positive outcomes. It provides youth with a party they can support that in turn worries more about their needs and the nation's needs beyond any other consideration or varying goals; parties included (HFP encourages people to join those parties they feel truly resonate with their beliefs after careful insight and self-reflection to encourage political fluidity.).

*Hypothetic Feather Party does not exist and is used for learning and discussion purposes. Feel free to click off and enjoy your day.  

To ESG or Not ESG? Mixed Research Results and Neural Coding Preferences

There is some level of mixed research results on the stock advantages of companies that invest in ESG. Bloomberg put together a solid article 'Academics Question ESG Studies That Helped Fuel Investing Boom' that indicates research may not support the stock return value of ESG. 

One of the researchers Andrew King stated, "Despite exhaustive analysis, we found no reliable link between corporate sustainability and future stock return.” (King, 2022, para 2).

Is that the final answer on ESG? Not really because there may be others who have a different view.

First, let us define ESG. What is ESG?

Some have argued something different and provided a meta-analysis around the same time period that would indicate an opposite effect on ESG and Financial Performance. There is a neutral to positive advantage to companies that engage in ESG.

Let me say that when there are mixed results one cannot conclusively say with absolute certainty whether supporting ESG makes a big difference in firm performance or not. What we can say is that by the limitations-delimitations of the studies they may in some cases and may not in other cases (Assuming that both studies are valid.)

This is where researching the fine details of each study can help and under what conditions ESG is or is not helpful. That still would not give you a final result. However, as more research comes out what we often find is that the conditions and parameters are defined through the body of knowledge. 

Change a metric and you may find something different. A breadth of related research studies around similar topics will provide a greater perspective. That takes time and scientists. Our nation needs more scientists!

This is where you have to answer the questions for yourself

1. Does ESG have profit, moral, social, or environmental goals?

2. Should government legislate or not legislate these issues?

Where things are grey they are defined more by our personal values and our outlook on government and life. Hard Decisions Shape the Neural Coding of Preferences