Brian Blank
@dbblank.bsky.social
Acts 4:13 Disciple, Husband, Girl Dad x 3, Son, Brother, Assoc Prof Finance @ Mississippi State in Empirical Corporate via Alabama, Roll Tide! & Tennessee PhD, @arsenalfc.bsky.social Fan, Scholarship: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=VxWst50
Reposted by Brian Blank
Alabama shouldn’t make it, I’ll say that, but there’s a very real chance the #1 team in the SEC regular season not making the Playoff because they played in a conference championship game will end conference championship games. Playoff money more than conference championship game money.
If Alabama is picked for a playoff berth, this will be the biggest fix since the Black Sox.
December 7, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Alabama shouldn’t make it, I’ll say that, but there’s a very real chance the #1 team in the SEC regular season not making the Playoff because they played in a conference championship game will end conference championship games. Playoff money more than conference championship game money.
Reposted by Brian Blank
Personal Income Increased 0.4% in September; Spending Increased 0.3%
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pers...
Core PCE slightly below expectations. Spending below expectations.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pers...
Core PCE slightly below expectations. Spending below expectations.
Personal Income Increased 0.4% in September; Spending Increased 0.3%
From the BEA: Personal Income and Outlays, September 2025 Personal income increased $94.5 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in Septe...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Personal Income Increased 0.4% in September; Spending Increased 0.3%
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pers...
Core PCE slightly below expectations. Spending below expectations.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pers...
Core PCE slightly below expectations. Spending below expectations.
Reposted by Brian Blank
It’s also the team that finished first in the regular season this year, name or not
December 6, 2025 at 11:53 PM
It’s also the team that finished first in the regular season this year, name or not
Reposted by Brian Blank
Q3 GDP Tracking: Mid 3%
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/q3-g...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/q3-g...
Q3 GDP Tracking: Mid 3%
The advance release of Q3 GDP has been cancelled. Q3 GDP will be released on Dec 23rd. From BofA: Since our last weekly publication, 3Q G...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Q3 GDP Tracking: Mid 3%
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/q3-g...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/q3-g...
Reposted by Brian Blank
Doug Gottlieb threw a chair tonight and for good reason: Green Bay was on the wrong end of the least likely comeback of the season, losing an 11-point lead (with the ball!) in the final 2:53.
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Doug Gottlieb threw a chair tonight and for good reason: Green Bay was on the wrong end of the least likely comeback of the season, losing an 11-point lead (with the ball!) in the final 2:53.
Reposted by Brian Blank
PCE Measure of Shelter Declined to 3.7% YoY in September
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pce-...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pce-...
PCE Measure of Shelter Declined to 3.7% YoY in September
Here is a graph of the year-over-year change in shelter from the CPI report and housing from the PCE report this morning, both through Septe...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
PCE Measure of Shelter Declined to 3.7% YoY in September
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pce-...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/pce-...
Reposted by Brian Blank
FIFA is parody-proof.
December 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
FIFA is parody-proof.
Reposted by Brian Blank
AAR Rail Traffic in November: "Continued Economic Uncertainty Reflected in Rail Volumes"
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/aar-...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/aar-...
AAR Rail Traffic in November: "Continued Economic Uncertainty Reflected in Rail Volumes"
From the Association of American Railroads (AAR) AAR Data Center . Graph and excerpts reprinted with permission . Continued Economic Uncert...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
AAR Rail Traffic in November: "Continued Economic Uncertainty Reflected in Rail Volumes"
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/aar-...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/aar-...
Reposted by Brian Blank
Gagged my way through the World Cup draw and wrote a first-look preview for the #USMNT against its Group D opponents. Challenges await, but you REALLY couldn't have asked for a much better draw, even into the knockouts.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
2026 World Cup draw: How the U.S. matches up against group-stage foes
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is over, so who is the USMNT set to play next summer and how will it match up? ESPN breaks down the matchups.
www.espn.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Gagged my way through the World Cup draw and wrote a first-look preview for the #USMNT against its Group D opponents. Challenges await, but you REALLY couldn't have asked for a much better draw, even into the knockouts.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Reposted by Brian Blank
BBC recap fella losing his mind here
December 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
BBC recap fella losing his mind here
Reposted by Brian Blank
Cotality: House Price Growth Slowed to 1.1% YoY in October
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/cota...
This graph from Cotality shows the Top 10 coolest markets.
The list is dominated by Florida and Texas. According to Cotality, the highest risk markets are all in Florida.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/cota...
This graph from Cotality shows the Top 10 coolest markets.
The list is dominated by Florida and Texas. According to Cotality, the highest risk markets are all in Florida.
Cotality: House Price Growth Slowed to 1.1% YoY in October
From Cotality (formerly CoreLogic): US home price insights — December 2025 • Year-over-year price growth continues its downward trend, only...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Cotality: House Price Growth Slowed to 1.1% YoY in October
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/cota...
This graph from Cotality shows the Top 10 coolest markets.
The list is dominated by Florida and Texas. According to Cotality, the highest risk markets are all in Florida.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/cota...
This graph from Cotality shows the Top 10 coolest markets.
The list is dominated by Florida and Texas. According to Cotality, the highest risk markets are all in Florida.
Reposted by Brian Blank
No major change in Indeed job postings last week.
This data continues to argue against a recent trend shift in labor markets (it's gradually looked less bad as the year has progressed).
This data continues to argue against a recent trend shift in labor markets (it's gradually looked less bad as the year has progressed).
December 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
No major change in Indeed job postings last week.
This data continues to argue against a recent trend shift in labor markets (it's gradually looked less bad as the year has progressed).
This data continues to argue against a recent trend shift in labor markets (it's gradually looked less bad as the year has progressed).
Reposted by Brian Blank
Exclusive: A legendary math professor is leaving academia—and joining an AI startup run by a 24-year-old.
The Math Legend Who Just Left Academia—for an AI Startup Run by a 24-Year-Old
Ken Ono had an epiphany. Now the professor is moving to Silicon Valley to chase mathematical superintelligence.
on.wsj.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Exclusive: A legendary math professor is leaving academia—and joining an AI startup run by a 24-year-old.
Reposted by Brian Blank
Source confirms that Darius Slay has told the Bills he will not report to Buffalo after being claimed on waivers as he contemplates his future.
December 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Source confirms that Darius Slay has told the Bills he will not report to Buffalo after being claimed on waivers as he contemplates his future.
Reposted by Brian Blank
I'm at the combination
December 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I'm at the combination
Reposted by Brian Blank
John Burns: "Modest house price declines in 2026"
December 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
John Burns: "Modest house price declines in 2026"
Reposted by Brian Blank
For all the talk about bloated megaconferences and scheduling issues, it's kind of funny that three of the Power 4 conference championship games this weekend are rematches of regular-season games.
December 3, 2025 at 2:21 AM
For all the talk about bloated megaconferences and scheduling issues, it's kind of funny that three of the Power 4 conference championship games this weekend are rematches of regular-season games.
Reposted by Brian Blank
Goldman: "We suspect that much of the decline in initial claims reflects seasonal adjustment difficulties around the Thanksgiving holiday"
Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims Decrease to 191,000
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/week...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/week...
Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims Decrease to 191,000
The DOL reported : In the week ending November 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 191,000, a decrease of 2...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Goldman: "We suspect that much of the decline in initial claims reflects seasonal adjustment difficulties around the Thanksgiving holiday"
Reposted by Brian Blank
Another bananas scoring night, 5th highest of the past 30 years. 9 of the 13 highest-scoring days (min 50 games) now belong to this season
December 4, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Another bananas scoring night, 5th highest of the past 30 years. 9 of the 13 highest-scoring days (min 50 games) now belong to this season
Reposted by Brian Blank
Heavy Truck Sales Collapsed in October and November
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/heav...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/heav...
Heavy Truck Sales Collapsed in October and November
This graph shows heavy truck sales since 1967 using data from the BEA. The dashed line is the November 2025 seasonally adjusted annual sales...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Heavy Truck Sales Collapsed in October and November
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/heav...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/heav...
Reposted by Brian Blank
Money still rules in this sport, but the list of schools laying down the money to rule seems to be changing/expanding a bit.
SOURCES: BYU coach Kalani Sitake is expected to remain with the Cougars after receiving strong interest from Penn State, @theathletic.com has learned.
BYU is expected to commit more resources to Sitake and the FB program, which plays for the Big 12 title/CFP on Saturday (ESPN 1st)
BYU is expected to commit more resources to Sitake and the FB program, which plays for the Big 12 title/CFP on Saturday (ESPN 1st)
December 2, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Money still rules in this sport, but the list of schools laying down the money to rule seems to be changing/expanding a bit.
Reposted by Brian Blank
Is the Future still Bright?
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/is-f...
It was almost thirteen years ago when I wrote "The Future's so Bright …" I noted that I was the most optimistic since the '90s, and that things would only get better.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/is-f...
It was almost thirteen years ago when I wrote "The Future's so Bright …" I noted that I was the most optimistic since the '90s, and that things would only get better.
December 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Is the Future still Bright?
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/is-f...
It was almost thirteen years ago when I wrote "The Future's so Bright …" I noted that I was the most optimistic since the '90s, and that things would only get better.
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/12/is-f...
It was almost thirteen years ago when I wrote "The Future's so Bright …" I noted that I was the most optimistic since the '90s, and that things would only get better.
Reposted by Brian Blank
We know that any hire can succeed or bomb, but based purely on "I see the logic, and I agree," my hire rankings:
1. LSU
2. Virginia Tech
3. Oklahoma St
4. Colorado St
5. Kent St
6. Florida
7. UCLA
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. Arkansas
11. Stanford
12. Oregon St
13. Michigan St
1. LSU
2. Virginia Tech
3. Oklahoma St
4. Colorado St
5. Kent St
6. Florida
7. UCLA
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. Arkansas
11. Stanford
12. Oregon St
13. Michigan St
December 1, 2025 at 6:10 PM
We know that any hire can succeed or bomb, but based purely on "I see the logic, and I agree," my hire rankings:
1. LSU
2. Virginia Tech
3. Oklahoma St
4. Colorado St
5. Kent St
6. Florida
7. UCLA
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. Arkansas
11. Stanford
12. Oregon St
13. Michigan St
1. LSU
2. Virginia Tech
3. Oklahoma St
4. Colorado St
5. Kent St
6. Florida
7. UCLA
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. Arkansas
11. Stanford
12. Oregon St
13. Michigan St
Reposted by Brian Blank
Goldman: "for retailers whose stores are generally located in lower-income zip codes, sentiment around the consumer turned negative on net and nominal same store sales have grown only 0.2% over the last year (vs. 2.5% for companies exposed to middle- and higher-income zip codes)."
1/2
1/2
December 2, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Goldman: "for retailers whose stores are generally located in lower-income zip codes, sentiment around the consumer turned negative on net and nominal same store sales have grown only 0.2% over the last year (vs. 2.5% for companies exposed to middle- and higher-income zip codes)."
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Brian Blank
Using the blend of SP+ CFP odds and Playoff Predictor odds that I've been referencing in columns for a while...
AVERAGE PROJECTED CFP BIDS BY CONFERENCE: ACC 0.7, AAC 0.5, SBC 0.4
Yikes.
AVERAGE PROJECTED CFP BIDS BY CONFERENCE: ACC 0.7, AAC 0.5, SBC 0.4
Yikes.
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Using the blend of SP+ CFP odds and Playoff Predictor odds that I've been referencing in columns for a while...
AVERAGE PROJECTED CFP BIDS BY CONFERENCE: ACC 0.7, AAC 0.5, SBC 0.4
Yikes.
AVERAGE PROJECTED CFP BIDS BY CONFERENCE: ACC 0.7, AAC 0.5, SBC 0.4
Yikes.