The December 24th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

We’re early! Because Thursday falls on Christmas Day, we’re sending this week’s newsletter one day early. We hope you have a blessed and meaningful holiday with people you love!

Mi So La Do is soft-opening at 7425 Dodge Street in the former Sakura Bana space near 74th & Dodge Street. Soft-opening menu items include tonkotsu ramen, handmade pork gyoza and takoyaki. The Japanese ramen concept is currently hiring but has yet to announce an official opening date.

Twin Peaks is officially returning to the Omaha market. The national sports bar chain will open February 2nd at 313 North 179th Street in Village Pointe West, according to a Twin Hospitality Group press release. The newly constructed, lodge-style restaurant will feature a made-from-scratch menu, wall-to-wall TVs and 64 beer taps split between two full-service bars. Twin Peaks previously operated an Omaha location near 173rd & West Center Road, which closed several years ago.

Smoothie King has opened its fifth Omaha-area location at 17813 Mandersen Street. That’s in a retail center still under construction northeast of 180th & West Maple Road. Other tenants planning to open in the same shopping center include L’Vinci Nails and a Kros Strain Brewing tap room. Smoothie King is a Coppell, Texas-based chain of frozen beverage shops.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opened last weekend at 3430 North 167th Street southeast of 168th & West Maple Road. The project, contracted by Perkins-Critser Construction, had been delayed due to revisions requested by Popeyes’ corporate office. Omaha-based Eat Out Now is the owner.

The Rush Market is now open in the former Fresh Thyme grocery space at 14949 Evans Plaza along the West Maple Road corridor. Rush Market had been operating in the former Sears and Younkers stores at Oakview Mall. Fresh Thyme closed the store in late 2020. Rush Market is a furniture and home goods retailer known for selling overstocked, open-box and returned items at deep discounts.

Coca-Cola has launched Part 2 of its Coca-Cola Around the World Sweepstakes, running through December 31. U.S. residents ages 18 and older can enter for a chance to win a trip to destinations including Atlanta, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo or London. Entries can be submitted via Instagram, Facebook, or by mail, with no purchase required. A winner will be selected at random on January 9.

Zaytuna, a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant that opened in 2020, permanently closed its Inner Rail Food Hall location in Aksarben Village at 1911 South 67th Street December 21. The restaurant’s food truck at 423 South 13th Street downtown remains open for regular hours.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

Chamber Releases Plan to Strengthen Nebraska’s Economic Competitiveness

The Greater Omaha Chamber this week released “Omaha COMPETES,” a comprehensive, data-driven policy agenda designed to modernize Nebraska’s economic development tools, accelerate job creation, strengthen workforce competitiveness and ensure the state can compete and win in an increasingly aggressive national marketplace.

Developed in collaboration with employers, economic developers, workforce leaders, educators, utilities and public officials, Omaha COMPETES recommends steps to restore Nebraska’s competitive edge vis-à-vis other states.

“For generations, our strength has come from a simple truth: when we invest in growth, our communities have a better future,” said Heath Mello, president & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “This work is about the Nebraska we aspire to build — one where young people choose to stay, where companies choose to expand, and where every region benefits from the growth generated in our economic engine.”

Once a national leader in economic development, Nebraska has fallen behind peer states in job creation, population growth and project wins because of slower economic development tools, reduced flexibility and a less proactive posture.

The Omaha COMPETES agenda is organized into four integrated sections:

Part 1: Nebraska’s Current Competitive Reality

• Outlines how Nebraska has lost ground to neighboring states that have moved faster and invested more strategically in economic development.
• Demonstrates that if Nebraska had simply kept pace with peers, the state would have tens of thousands more jobs, billions in additional wages and significantly higher tax revenues today.
• Establishes the urgency for modern tools that signal Nebraska is open, competitive, and ready for business.

Part 2: Modernizing Economic Development Tools & Site Readiness

• Recommends updates to Nebraska’s core incentive framework – including ImagiNE Nebraska – to improve speed, flexibility and real-world usability.
• Calls for expanded site readiness, infrastructure financing, and utility investment tools to deliver truly shovel-ready sites.
• Emphasizes a more proactive, partnership-oriented posture at the state level to accelerate approvals while maintaining accountability.

Part 3: Growing Nebraska’s Workforce Competitiveness

• Addresses talent attraction, retention and development as critical economic development priorities.
• Proposes coordinated relocation strategies, stronger retention metrics and expanded leadership and early-career pathways.
• Calls for reinstating and modernizing workforce programs, strengthening employer-driven training and preparing for emerging technologies like AI.

Part 4: Learning from Winning States

Benchmarks Nebraska against states such as North Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Texas and Virginia.
Highlights proven models, including discretionary closing tools, customized workforce training, site development funds and enhanced local authority, that are already delivering results elsewhere.
Demonstrates that these recommendations are not theoretical, but tested strategies Nebraska can adapt and deploy.

“Omaha COMPETES is intended to inform policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders as Nebraska considers the next generation of economic development policy,” according to the Greater Omaha Chamber.

To read the full Omaha COMPETES agenda, visit here.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

West Elm, Arhaus, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn plan to open stores in Avenue One, the 200-acre, mixed-use development under construction southeast of 192nd & West Dodge Road. Site grading is currently underway. The upscale retailers are scheduled to open in 2027. Phase one of the development’s retail area is now 77 percent leased.

Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma have longstanding Omaha stores at Regency Shopping Center. Arhaus and West Elm would be first-to-market stores. Both are known for selling upscale home goods and housewares. Both retailers have locations across the nation with existing stores nearby in Kansas City and Minneapolis.

Construction has moved inside on a 4-story, mixed-use building in The Row at Heartwood Preserve, which is part of the 500-acre Heartwood Preserve development west of Boys Town. Olsson, an engineering and design firm, will house its 300-plus Omaha-area employees in the building when it’s complete in 2026. The building will also have street-level retail space. Additionally, two adjacent buildings — a multi-family residential building and a boutique hotel — are planned.

In 2025, the RiverFront Parks have welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors, according to recent data. Throughout the year, the three parks – Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing – have hosted more than 600 events. By the end of the year, the total visitors may reach 2.8 million, which would be a nearly 50 percent increase over the number of visitors in 2024.

Mechanical Contractors Association of Omaha is moving to an office near 144th & F Street from its current Ralston location. According to a building permit for remodel of existing space, MCA is remodeling 3,500 sq. ft. at 3930 South 147th Street. MCA represents skilled workers in labor relations, provides training and advocates for members before elected officials.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will host its annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration Wednesday, December 31, a daytime event that gives kids of all ages the chance to ring in the new year without staying up late. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and include Ambassador Animals and biofacts for hands-on learning, a DJ, character meet-and-greets and an early countdown to 2026. Noon Year’s Eve is free with daytime Zoo admission or membership.

As a gift to the community, the Zoo is offering free daytime admission for children from December 26 through December 31. Up to six children 12 and under may be admitted free with a paid adult. This offer applies to daytime Zoo admission only and does not include Zoolightful.

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Topstep, a fintech company based in Chicago, is opening an Omaha office. According to a building permit, the company is remodeling 12,000 sq. ft. at 9805 Q Street. Topstep provides a platform for day traders to access and trade live capital and provides training to increase performance.

Genesis Health Clubs will hold a ribbon cutting on January 23rd for its new gym at 3201 Farnam Street in Midtown Crossing. Genesis is taking over the former Alamo Drafthouse Cinema space.

La Antigua, a butcher shop and general store, plans to open in a 1,600 sq. ft. space at 9505 Q Street in Applewood Plaza, according to a building permit for remodel of an existing space,

AMCON Distributing Company, an Omaha-based convenience and foodservice distributor, declared a special cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. This cash dividend is payable on January 30, 2026 to shareholders of record as of December 29, 2025.

About 88 percent of Americans will celebrate Christmas tomorrow, driving holiday sales expected to top $1 trillion for the first time, according to 1440 Daily Digest. Parents are spending an average of $521 per child—up 13 percent from 2024.

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Heartland Bike Share hosted its second Ride at The Dock fundraiser at Millwork Commons on December 17. The event invited participants to ride stationary bikes through a virtual landscape and raised about $20,000 to support HBS operations. CEO Benny Foltz rode about 126 miles over the 12-hour event.

The Nebraska Community Blood Bank is facing a shortage this month, falling about 400 donors short of the 1,000 they need each week. Those who donate blood before January 2 will get “a cozy beanie or a pair of lifesaver socks.”

After the public/private partnership between the City of Omaha and the Lozier Foundation was finalized this month, Front Porch Investments will begin distributing $40 million dedicated toward affordable housing production in the urban core beginning in January 2026.

Fontenelle Forest last week hosted its 126th annual Christmas Bird Count, which invites the public to tally the numbers of birds in the Forest. According to preliminary reports, volunteers identified 36 species and counted 2,554 individual birds. Some of the most frequently spotted species included European Starlings, American Robins, Canada Geese and White-breasted Nuthatches. Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks and Red-headed Woodpeckers were also sighted.

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New Year, New Adventures, New House?

By Jill Anderson

In a recent survey by Realtor.com, more renters feel optimistic about becoming a homeowner. According to the survey, almost one-third of renters said they have plans to own a home within two years.

“We had a period in 2024 and early 2025 when mortgage rates were shooting up against 8 percent. The 10-year treasury, which is very tightly linked to mortgage rates, is down to about 4 percent right now, which means you’re looking at a mortgage rate that’s bouncing around 6 percent. I would argue that when they were at 8 percent, people were basically just postponing purchases, because they knew that things weren’t going to stay there. So, we had this real drought in transactions,” said Dr. Marci Rossell, economic forecaster.

“But as interest rates have come down, you’re getting back to something that is somewhat affordable for folks and anyone who has one of those 3 percent mortgages that they locked in in ‘21 and ’22. You’re now three-to-four years out from that, and the tug of real life is going to continue to pull them away from those mortgages,” Marci said.

There are mixed signals on what the housing market will do in 2026. There’s no doubt low interest rates will keep some sellers on the sidelines. But going forward, we’ll start to see the lock-in effect from those cheap mortgages start to fade out, which means more properties on the market.

Life doesn’t stand still—people get new jobs, grow their families, downsize after retirement or simply want to live in a different neighborhood. Those needs are starting to outweigh the financial benefit of clinging to a rock-bottom mortgage rate. (Chen Zhao) For those looking to move in 2026, the outlook is improving.

Below are stats for November in the Omaha area:

New Listings: 1,196
YOY: + 2.7%
YTD: + 10.8%

Pending Sales: 826
YOY: + 6%
YTD: + 4.2%

Closed Units: 842
YOY: – 13.2%
YTD: + 3.3%

Months of inventory:
Existing: 1.8
New Construction: 6.6

Median Sale Price: $340,000
YOY: + 4.5%
YTD: + 2.7%

If you’re looking to buy or sell this next year, it makes sense to connect with a professional who can help guide you through by providing information you need. Do you have a question about buying or selling real estate? Let’s connect!

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Jill Anderson, President Residential Sales, NP Dodge Real Estate 402.255.5099 or jill.anderson@npdodge.com.

We’re not just real estate. We’re NP Dodge.

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

Junior catcher Connor Capece and sophomore pitcher Wilson Magers were both unanimous selections to the Preseason All-Big East Team. Magers earned the Big East Freshman of the Year award last season, recording a team-high 67.0 innings pitched while posting a 3.09 ERA.

Creighton will begin its 2026 season against Saint Mary’s on February 13.

Following a disappointing start to the season, Creighton men’s basketball has shot out of the gates in conference play, carrying a Big East Conference record +62-point differential through its first two Big East games. The previous conference record for point differential over the first two Big East games was +50 by Providence in 1988-89. While set against two struggling offenses in Xavier and Marquette, the staggering differential is encouraging for Greg McDermott, who is still trying to find a reliable rotation on a team with nine new faces and two season-ending injuries. Creighton defeated Utah Tech on Monday, 92-69, to round out nonconference play. Next Tuesday, December 30, the Bluejays return to conference play, hosting Butler at 8 p.m.

Arena Soccer has returned to Baxter Arena, as the Omaha Kings and Omaha Queens each hosted the men’s and women’s clubs from the Iowa Raptors last weekend. The Queens were featured first in Saturday’s doubleheader, dominating the Raptors 9-1. The Kings fell in the second game 4-5 in overtime.

Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) represents the highest level of professional indoor soccer in the world and features teams across the country with players from more than 50 countries. The Omaha Kings FC and Omaha Queens FC are Omaha’s professional men’s and women’s arena soccer clubs, competing in MASL2 and MASLW, respectively. MASL2 is the second division of the Major Arena Soccer League, while MASLW is the first women’s indoor league under the MASL umbrella.

Omaha Hockey won its first game since November 29 on Saturday, defeating Augustana 4-1. The Mavericks split the series, but that and their upcoming three games are not NCHC matchups, allowing them an opportunity to get back on track before returning to conference play for the rest of the season. Omaha is 7-11 on the season and 3-7 in conference play. Next Tuesday, December 30, they return home for a home game against Manitoba at 7 p.m.

Creighton Volleyball has added two transfers to its 2026 roster following the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament. Junior middle hitter Ayden Ames (Texas) and graduate setter Katie Dalton (Kansas) will become Bluejays next year, with two and one seasons of eligibility, respectively. Creighton has had three different transfers earn All-American honors the past two seasons.

Omaha men’s basketball guard Lance Waddles was named Summit League Peak Performer of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday. Waddles scored 25 points in each of Omaha’s wins last week against York (Neb.) and Lamar, shooting 67.9 percent from the field. He is the first Maverick men’s basketball player to earn a weekly honor this season.

Upcoming Games

• Omaha women’s basketball vs. Briar Cliff | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 1 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers vs. Lincoln | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 6:05 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball at Georgetown | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers vs. Fargo | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5:05 p.m.
• Omaha Hockey vs. Manitoba | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton men’s basketball vs. Butler | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 8 p.m.
• Omaha women’s basketball at Kansas City | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m.
• Omaha Lancers at Sioux Falls | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 6:05 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball at Villanova | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 11 a.m.

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Omaha and the Ski Lift

By Patrick Wyman

Well known as the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich, the TV dinner and butter brickle ice cream, Omaha is less known as the birthplace of the ski lift.

The inventor, James Curran, worked as an ironworker for Paxton & Vierling Iron Works while taking night classes. Rather than follow in the footsteps of his father—an Irish immigrant who served as sheriff of Dodge County—James pursued the path of his grandfather, who worked as an engineer.

Born in Omaha in 1903, James became one of the few civil engineers to pass the state exam without formal college training. Now working as a draftsman for the company, one of his first assignments was to help design a pulley system that hooked bunches of bananas, lifting and placing them onto a conveyor that hauled them in a continuous flow so they could be loaded onto fruit boats without being bruised.

Hired as a draftsman by Union Pacific Railroad in 1927, James was promoted to bridge engineer when its chairman of the board, Averell Harriman, became intrigued with the idea of building a luxury ski resort in 1935. While skiing was already popular in Europe, from which Averell had just returned, it was only beginning to gain popularity stateside in places like New England, Colorado, and California.

Averell saw a ski resort as a way to generate new demand for Union Pacific’s rail lines stretching from Omaha to the Pacific Ocean. The luxury resort—the first to offer upscale lodging, fine dining, swimming, ice skating and other activities—was designed to appeal to a growing number of ski enthusiasts and motivate them to travel long distances for that purpose.

To seal the deal, the resort needed a better way to transport skiers to the top of the slope, rather than hiking uphill, jumping off trains at high mountain passes, or using tow ropes powered by horses or water wheels. To solve that problem, the company challenged its team of engineers to develop a new method of transporting skiers to the top of the slope for its Sun Valley Resort in Ketchum, Idaho.

James recalled the banana conveyor system he had worked on in Honduras and suggested a similar design to move skiers uphill. The design was initially rejected as too hazardous, but the idea survived after he slipped it in with the team’s other proposals. When the ski consultant for the resort reviewed James’ plan, he was intrigued and selected it over the others. After further analysis with ski experts, they agreed that the overhead cable system could indeed be used to carry people back up the slope after a run.

Days later, James worked with a small team to hash out the details. They built a structure in the back of a pickup truck with a chair hanging over the side. To test the concept, James wore roller skates as someone drove the truck toward him until the chair touched the backs of his knees. He rolled forward until settling into the seat. During the test, the team assessed speed, angle, and safety while calculating rope tension, sag, driving torque, and horsepower required to operate the lift.

Once the design was deemed a success, railroad engineers raced to complete the necessary components. They constructed and installed everything needed to get the world’s first chairlifts off the ground in just four and a half months—just in time for Sun Valley Resort’s opening in 1936.

With its amenities, including a chairlift that offered a safe, inexpensive and enjoyable way for skiers to rest while taking in spectacular views on the way to the top of the slope, Sun Valley was a resounding success. It became the most popular ski area in the country, with nearly all of its visitors traveling there via Union Pacific Railroad.

After patenting the chairlift in 1939, Union Pacific agreed that ownership would transfer to American Steel, which had helped design and manufacture many of the components and was likely to build chairs for other resorts. The agreement stipulated that the railroad could use the invention royalty-free.

Despite never having skied—or profiting personally from the idea—the Omaha native who invented the chairlift was inducted into the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame posthumously in 2001. He was recognized by the organization as having “revolutionized the sport of skiing by designing an easy, moderately inexpensive method for skiers to ascend the mountain.

The chairlift went on to become the workhorse of the ski industry, enjoyed by millions of skiers for the next 60 years. His contribution to the sport and industry of skiing has been enormous, although mostly unrecognized.”

Considered one of the railroad’s top bridge engineers, James retired in 1966 and passed away just two years later. In Omaha, there is a plaque along the wall at Kenefick Park commemorating his invention. While his original chairlifts were eventually replaced, one was moved to Rudd Mountain in Sun Valley, where it stands as a monument to the birth of the ski industry—and to his contribution.

Opening in February, The Negro Motorist Green Book shares the story of the annual guide that provided African American travelers with information on restaurants, gas stations and other businesses that welcomed Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.

In spring, Get Building! Bricks at The Durham invites visitors of all ages to enjoy hands-on creativity with the help of longtime partners, the Lincoln/Omaha LEGO Users Group. Then in summer, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume presented by the Walt Disney Archives, which features 70 iconic pieces that showcase how some of these beloved characters were brought to life.

Then a returning favorite opens up next holiday season: White Christmas: The Exhibition. This beloved display offers a classic way to celebrate the season and elevate the 2026 Christmas at Union Station experience.

To celebrate the upcoming new year, The Omaha Children’s Museum will host Bubbly New Year’s Eve on December 31 during their business hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can ring in the New Year with Amazing Bubble Show, NYE crafts, characters and bubble drops throughout the day. All activities included with admission, while supplies last.

The Heartland of America Park at the Riverfront will hold a New Year’s Eve Firework Spectacular on December 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s free for all to enjoy and celebrate the year past and the new year to come.

The Durham Museum will celebrate Noon Year’s Eve on December 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is an early celebration of the upcoming year for families. Children of all ages will enjoy a fun-packed bash with live music from Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the new year in your handmade party hat while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and a spectacular balloon drop at 12 noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall. Register online or call 402-444-5071 by December 30 to save your spot. If space allows, walk-up tickets will be available at the door.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

You think you’re pretty efficient, huh? Well, you’ve got nothing on Santa. He reaches 238 million homes worldwide in 34 hours, which means he must visit 7 million per hour. That’s 116,667 per minute or 1,944 per second.

As of last year, 5 percent of U.S. white-collar workers logged on during the weekends, a 9 percent increase from 2023, according to an analysis of more than 200,000 employees and 777 companies conducted by ActivTrak, as reported in Business Insider. They clocked an average of about 5 hours and 30 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays. Those at mid-size companies (1,000 to 5,000 employees) were most likely to work weekends. People with bachelor’s degrees worked an average of four hours on a weekend, and about 29 percent of all employed people worked on weekends.

Medical care facilities inside company offices are becoming a more common way to attract and retain talented workers, according to The Washington Post. More than half of companies surveyed said the ROI from in-office health clinics is 200 percent or greater.

In a recent survey by dating app Flirtini, 55 percent of participants said they’d “hooked up with a coworker at a holiday party” in the past, with more than half of those saying they wound up consummating those more-than-collegial relationships, according to Inc. Two-thirds of respondents said they didn’t regret their actions even when their office romances didn’t last long. Because of the risks associated with bawdy employee behavior, Inc. says many companies still hesitate to resume the holiday office parties that were paused during the pandemic.

SALES

An Outside Sales Stat – More than 50 percent of prospects want to see how your product works on the first call, according to HubSpot.

One of the negotiating mistakes salespeople tend to make is negotiating with the wrong people. “If you’re not talking to someone who can make a final buying decision,” says sales expert Kelley Robertson, “then you are dealing with the wrong people.”

The majority of mistakes during the discovery process happen because salespeople don’t understand the value of discovery, according to sales author Jeb Blount. When you don’t appreciate the value of discovery, you’re likely to take shortcuts. Shallow discovery efforts lead to a weak business case, broken relationships and a much lower closing ratio.

WISDOM

“Fun is like life insurance; the older you get, the more it costs.” – Kin Hubbard

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Did you know Omaha ranks #8 among the nation’s top cities for growth in cybersecurity employment and wages, according to Upwind, which examined 44 U.S. cities.

Did you know the 2025 College World Series attracted 150,000 out-to-town visitors with an economic impact of $115 million?

Did you know Omaha Public Power District has added 23,000 new customers in the last five years?

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Bubbly New Year’s Eve happening December 31st: Don’t let bed times burst your bubble! The Omaha’s Children Museum ius celebrating its New Year’s Eve all day long. Put on some swag as you ring in the New Year with the Amazing Bubble Show, NYE crafts, characters and bubble drops throughout the day. All activities included with admission, while supplies last.

Noon Year’s Eve happening December 31st: Noon Year’s Eve is a fun opportunity for kids of all ages to celebrate the New Year without staying up until midnight. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including Ambassador Animals and biofacts for hands-on learning, a DJ, character meet-and-greets and an early countdown to 2026.

NYE at The Granary happening December 31st: Join others for the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Bash and LIVE Midnight Ball Drop, a truly unforgettable night that promises to be the Midwest’s premier destination for ringing in the new year! Whether you’re looking for an intimate VIP experience, a lively dance party or a front-row seat to Nebraska’s only outdoor midnight live ball drop, there’s something for everyone.

New Years Eve Party happening December 31st: Ring in the New Year with nonstop fun and drinks at Smash Park! Play half-price arcade games and book half-price activities (two weeks in advance – use promo code NYE26), then keep the party going all night with epic drink deals and Glow Pickleball!

Bright Nights happening on select dates through January 4th: Celebrate the holiday season at Bright Nights where twinkling lights and dazzling decor transform the garden into a winter wonderland. Make memories with the family as you cozy up by the firepits, roast some s’mores, play festive games in the Family Chill Zone, capture the moment in front of the 20′ tall poinsettia tree, enjoy the whistle of model garden trains and marvel at the shimmering displays showcase nature in a whole new light.

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Berkshire Hathaway has announced several executive appointments. Adam M. Johnson, CEO of NetJets, has been appointed president of the consumer products, service and retailing businesses of Berkshire Hathaway, effective immediately, while continuing in his role at NetJets. Nancy L. Pierce has been appointed CEO of GEICO, effective immediately. She had been COO. Marc D. Hamburg, senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer, will retire from Berkshire Hathaway on June 1. He will be succeeded by Charles C. Chang, who currently serves as senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Michael J. O’Sullivan has been appointed senior vice president and general counsel, effective January 1. He had been general counsel of Snap, Inc., since 2017.

Union Pacific Corporation appointed W. Anthony “Tony” Will to its board of directors, effective January 5. He has served as president, CEO and board member of CF Industries Holdings, a global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products, since 2014. He plans to retire January 4, and will serve in an advisory role through March 15.

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I have a personal problem. My roommate is addicted to the evening news. If you watch the evening news and pay attention to the ads, you will notice that about 45 percent of them are for prescription drugs. I don’t have any of those diseases and neither do 98 percent of those watching. You may ask why do I care? The reason I care is that drug companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars on these drugs adds. Who pays for them? SPOILER Alert. Everybody who uses prescription drugs.

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about a bunch of the smaller brokerage firms that are building and peddling emerging, exotic investment options designed to attract those individuals who get an adrenalin rush from betting on college and professional sports. The exotic products in this odious dump include, but are not limited to, leveraged trades on crypto futures, zero day to expire individual stock options and a leveraged ETF that shorts the entire S&P 500.

As in the case of the drug commercials, I do not have any of their diseases, and I’m not going to muck around in the hippy dippy investment derivations being thrust upon the public by a bunch of newbie brokerage houses.

So why do I care? And why does the WSJ take the time and ink to write about them? The answer is simple. Because today’s stock market in not the monolithic organism it once was, and when someone rolls the dice on a leverage option to short Nvidia, everybody pays the price.

Back in the day when I started my Wall Street journey, trades were made by men in blue coats on the floor of a cavernous exchange building. Everything was manual, and the people buying and selling stocks talked to each other on phones with wires going into the wall. Trading decisions were primarily based on the underlying companies’ financial conditions. There was some futures and options activity on stocks in general, but nothing like the gaggle of goofy off-the-wall concoctions documented in the above WSJ article.

Today, when a computer makes a trade based on a sound bite about some future something or other, there’s another computer somewhere out there that sticks that in their algorithm. Then when the market opens in the morning, that computer’s algorithm makes a trade based upon that previous computer’s bet. And just like the cue ball in a pool game, all the other object balls get to banging around, and voila, chaos and unpredictability follow.

As a 401(k) investor, you can’t be involved in any of this horse hockey, because the only things you can buy are the mutual funds listed on your plan’s menu, keeping you above the fray.

But the good news is that, in the long run, the market responds to the great American economic engine. And if you forget the needle and buy the haystack, you can spend your golden years sipping pina coladas in Cancun instead of flipping’ burgers in Sheboygan.

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