Weekly Market Report: February 20, 2025

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Mazza Middle Eastern Cuisine plans to open early this summer in the former Sofra Kitchen space at 220 South 31st Avenue in Midtown Crossing. The restaurant will “blend traditional and contemporary Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors.” Mazza will be open for both lunch and dinner and will include a stylish bar, private event space and an outdoor patio.

Tipico Helado, a Mexican ice cream concept, plans to open its fourth location later this year in the Old Market. The store will operate in the former Niche space at 1209 Howard Street. Tipico Helado has locations at 15623 West Dodge Road, 5210 South 21st Street and 453 North Main Street in Fremont. The shop offers more than 50 unique flavors from ice cream bars dipped in coconut flakes to specialty scoops infused with candy, chamoy, tajin and sweet cream.

The Runza restaurant at 965 South 72nd Street has reopened for business. The old building, which many years earlier had been a Bronco’s location, was torn down last summer and replaced with a completely rebuilt restaurant building.

Everbowl, an acai and superfood restaurant, is holding a grand opening on March 6th at 2913 South 168th Street. Local owners, Jill and T.J. Isaacs, plan to give away 300 everbowls for free between 5 and 8 p.m. The California-based chain has about 100 locations nationwide. Two more locations are planned for the Omaha metro.

Red Lotus Thai Express held a ribbon cutting yesterday for its new restaurant at 1449 Papillion Drive. That’s just northeast of 72nd & Highway 370. The restaurant was founded by the old owners of Sweet Rice Thai in Springfield.

Sugared Ledge Bakery has temporarily closed in order to “refresh its space and enhance operations” at 920 North 204th Avenue in the Elkhorn area. The bakery plans to reopen in March with an expanded menu.

La Poblanita, a South Omaha Mexican restaurant that abruptly closed last August, will offer to-go orders from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday from its private kitchen. The menu includes pozole blanco and rojo with two chicken flautas for $16. Orders can be placed via Facebook message, but the pick-up location has not been publicly disclosed.

Bounce Culture Fitness Studio plans to open in early March at 9735 Giles Road in La Vista. The locally owned boutique fitness studio will offer mini trampoline and barre workouts, which are considered to be low-impact and high-energy.

Crews have erected the steel skeleton for The Still Fine Wine & Spirits Superstore under construction near 204th & V Street in the Coventry development. The retailer’s existing location is in Lincoln at 6820 South 70th Street. The Still is Lincoln’s largest liquor store and has been in business for 35 years. Opening is scheduled for next fall.

Poke Boba House will close its Old Market location at 510 South 13th Street on February 28, according to an owner announcement on Facebook. The restaurant opened in April 2019 and serves poke, Japanese ramen and milk teas.

Hardees has closed at 811 North 205th Street. The building is near a Menard’s store northwest of 204th & West Dodge Road. The building is being remodeled for a yet-to-be-announced replacement restaurant.

JOANN, the troubled fabric-and-craft retail chain, is closing its stores at 10521 South 15th Street in Bellevue and 3271 Marketplace Drive in Council Bluffs. The local closings are part of JOANN’s plan to close 500 of its 800 stores nationwide, after the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in a year. The JOANN store at 13415 West Center Road in Omaha is expected to remain open.

More than 30 Omaha businesses face potential closure because of unpaid food and drink permits, according to a February 19 announcement by the Douglas County Health Department. Businesses shut down for nonpayment will need to cover a reopening inspection fee and settle their permit dues to resume operations.

KFC will relocate its headquarters from Louisville, Ky., to Plano, Tex., joining sister brand Pizza Hut under parent company Yum Brands. Founded by Colonel Sanders in 1930, the fast-food chain started out of a roadside motel in Corbin, Ky., and has grown to more than 30,000 locations in nearly 150 countries. KFC’s Louisville headquarters has been in operation since 1970.

The “Restaurant & Retail Updates” section is sponsored by Anderson Convenience Market, featuring Quality AMOCO Fuels and serving Omaha since 1952, and proud to announce the return of Quality Amoco Fuels. Look for changes this Summer at Anderson Convenience Market – 8 Omaha area locations!

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

Real Estate Companies NAI NP Dodge & First Management Join Forces

NAI NP Dodge and First Management, Inc. have merged to combine resources and provide their clients with a full range of commercial real estate brokerage and property management services under the NAI NP Dodge brand.

NAI NP Dodge is the commercial real estate division of NP Dodge, Omaha’s largest full-service real estate company and the longest-running, family-owned real estate company in the United States. The company was founded in 1855. NAI NP Dodge focuses on the sales and leasing of office, retail, industrial, multi-family and investment properties, complemented by the professional property management services of NP Dodge Management Company.

First Management is a full-service commercial real estate firm with a heavy emphasis on retail properties. The company traces its roots back nearly 60 years to legendary real estate leader John Weibe, who developed The Center Mall in 1955 and Westroads Mall in 1968. Located at 42nd & Center Street, The Center was America’s first anchored shopping mall and has since been converted into an office building.

First Management’s lead broker, Eric Wieseler, is now officing out of NAI NP Dodge’s office at 13321 California Street. The property management team has moved to NP Dodge Management Company’s office at 8701 West Dodge Road. First Management president Randy Wieseler continues to office at The Center.

“We are excited to join forces with a like-minded firm that values ethics and has an excellent reputation in the community,” said Deb Graeve-Morrison, president of NAI NP Dodge. “We look forward to collaborating with Eric and the entire First Management team on new projects, going forward. We are thrilled to have them as colleagues.”

In addition to The Center, First Management is known for leasing and managing multiple prominent retail centers including Beverly Hills Plaza, Westgate Plaza, Tower Plaza, Brentwood Square, Tara Plaza and many others. At the time of the merger with NAI NP Dodge, First Management managed approximately 1.6 million square feet.

Eric Wieseler said his company’s clients and portfolios will benefit from the expanded infrastructure and resources at NP Dodge. That will free up First Management employees to focus directly on serving clients.

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“First Management’s leasing and brokerage team has always been landlord-focused and small in scale,” Wieseler said. The opportunity to engage, coordinate, and collaborate with other deal makers to expand our business interests is incredibly exciting. The logistics of combining teams and the prospect of change for team members took time to navigate, but I’m proud to see our team and clients committed to make the transition.”

According to NAI NP Dodge, this merger signifies a significant step in enhancing the commercial real estate landscape in Omaha, combining the rich histories and expertise of both firms to better serve their clients and the community.

Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

City of Bellevue officials and community leaders will hold a groundbreaking March 20th for the $60 million Bellevue Bay Water Park. Part of the Bellevue Good Life District, Bellevue Bay will be located at the U.S. Highways 34 & 75 interchange on the south side of Bellevue. The project will be an indoor-outdoor facility. The 100,000 sq. ft. building will have a retractable roof. When it opens in 2027, it will be the fourth largest water park in the United States.

Peterbilt of Omaha is building a truck sales and service center at 11502 Wickersham Boulevard in Gretna. That’s on an Interstate 80 frontage road next to an existing Wal-Mart store. That frontage road has been extended southwest to 168th Street. Much of the building’s steel skeleton has been assembled.

January passenger traffic at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield was up 1.5 percent over January 2024. The total passenger count last month was 364,538 compared to 359,260 in January of 2024. As for local market share, Southwest Airlines (35.3%) was number one followed by American (21.2%), United (19.1%) and Delta (17.4%). The combined market share of Alaska, Allegiant, Frontier and Sun Country totaled less than 7 percent.

At the end of 2024, MECA celebrated 5 million visitors to the Riverfront Parks since Gene Leahy Mall reopened in summer 2022. In 2024 alone, the three-park complex attracted approximately 2 million visitors. For perspective, one of Omaha’s most popular attractions, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, welcomed 1.6 million visitors in 2024.

The long awaited pickleball courts planned for Lewis and Clark Landing are still in the permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bid packages have been issued and construction is expected to begin in the spring.

Recent Census Bureau data show that “brain drain” in Nebraska is trending down, according to WOWT, meaning the state is keeping more of its college-educated people. Omaha employment is growing, adding about 67,000 jobs since the pandemic. Unemployment in Nebraska is at 3 percent compared to the national rate of 4.2 percent.

Construction is just getting started on a Club Carwash facility at 18318 Evans Street. That’s just south of 183rd & West Maple Road immediately west of a Burger Detour restaurant. Columbia, Missouri-based Club Carwash has nine existing Omaha-area locations.

The Nebraska Urban Land Institute published a report guiding possible development of an underused area north of 30th & Dodge Street in Midtown. The Greater Omaha Chamber commissioned a ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to study the 20-acre site that has serves as the western terminus of I-480. The site remains largely undeveloped due to the cancellation of prior plans to expand I-480 westward in the 1970’s.

The TAP was composed of a dozen local development experts, representing private and public entities. Panelists spent two days studying the site, consulting local stakeholders and developing recommendations.

The plan recommends realigning the two off-ramps, combining them into one. This frees up the remaining site for additional development opportunities. The intersection at Dodge Street could also be realigned with Turner Boulevard and Park Avenue and introduce a roundabout to manage flow of traffic. The recommended development would fill the remaining 12.5 acres with multi-use buildings that would include ground floor commercial space, multi-family units and senior housing. The $200 million plan recommends up to 500 residential units, including 240 affordable housing units.

Grow Omaha Snippets are brought to you by Baird Holm LLP, the Exclusive Legal Partner of Grow Omaha. Baird Holm’s dedicated team of real estate lawyers has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law, including purchases, sales, construction, zoning and land use, leasing, and dispute resolution. Click HERE for more information.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s 2024 annual report to shareholders will be posted online Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 a.m. CST. At the same time, Berkshire will issue an earnings release. The annual report will include Warren Buffett’s famous letter to shareholders as well as information about Berkshire’s financial results. The report will also include information regarding Berkshire’s Shareholders Meeting to be held Saturday, May 3rd in Omaha.

Union Pacific Railroad has unveiled its newest commemorative locomotive, honoring President Abraham Lincoln, who created the railroad and connected the nation through the transcontinental railroad. This rolling tribute highlights the transformative contributions of our nation’s 16th president. The locomotive is designated as No. 1616. It is the second presidential locomotive in Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet, joining No. 4141, which honors President George H.W. Bush.

Four Points Federal Credit Union will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new self-serve satellite and loan production office at 12240 L Street in L Street Marketplace on May 29. Its main branch remains at 2545 South 180th Street near 180th & West Center.

Midwest Pickleball Club will hold a ribbon cutting March 7th for its indoor facility at 12125 South 156th Street in Papillion. The club is located in one of R&R Realty’s newly built warehouse buildings and offers individual, couples, family and youth memberships.

Will Style Tailor Shop & Boutique, a local professional tailoring shop at 3521 Center Street, recently closed after the previous owner sold its business. It was established in 2009. No information has been provided on whether the new owner will reopen the store.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share. This dividend will be paid on May 7, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2025. Werner has paid a quarterly cash dividend to its stockholders every quarter since July 1987.

Prairie Flower, a tribal casino at 1031 Avenue H in Carter Lake, opened its expanded facility earlier this week, according to the Omaha World-Herald. At 70,000 sq. ft. the new facility is now about 10 times larger than the original casino.

Construction is expected to begin in April on El Toro Plaza, a new development near 24th and Z, according to KMTV. The 36,000 sq. ft. building will bring spaces for non-profits and small businesses to South Omaha. Construction is expected to begin soon.

The Omaha City Council has selected Hausmann Construction as general contractor for the Levi Carter Park Activity and Sport Complex planned for 12th & Carter Boulevard, according to KETV.

For the 17th time in the past 18 months, Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral in February, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. The region’s February reading slumped to 38.0 from 42.3 in January. A reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. Only 9 percent of rural bankers expect positive outcomes from President Trump’s tariff actions.

Southwest Airlines will cut 15 percent of its corporate workforce, or 1,750 people — the first mass layoffs in the company’s history, according to CNN. The cuts will start in April and include some senior leadership. Southwest expects the layoffs will save the company $210 million this year and $300 million in 2026. Southwest has the biggest market share at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield.

Dean Snyder Construction (DSC), founded in 1958, is a family-and-employee-owned general contractor and design-build firm. We serve the commercial, food and beverage processing, industrial, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare markets. Our commitment to hard work, direct communication, owner involvement, and exceeding client expectations ensures long-term customer satisfaction. Contact us at www.deansnyder.com

The Secret to Selling this Spring: Start the Prep Work Now

By Jill ANderson

Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand?

Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You have just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush through this important task – especially this year.

The Right Repairs Will Matter More This Spring

Right now, two things are true. There are more homes on the market than there have been in years, and buyers are being extra selective. That combination means you need to invest some time and effort in making strategic repairs. And many homeowners already have a jump on this work.

In the 2025 Outlook for Home Remodeling, Carlos Martin, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, explains:

“. . . homeowners are slowly but surely expanding the pace and scope of projects compared to the last couple years.”

And the most common projects they’re tackling are replacing water heaters, HVAC units and flooring. Energy efficiency is a key consideration too, based on home improvement data from the Census.

What to Prioritize as You Plan Ahead

But just because that’s what other homeowners are doing, doesn’t mean that’s what you have to tackle. Think about what you’d want to see if you were a buyer. Focus on quick wins that are easy to knock out with the time you have – but, don’t ignore key repairs, especially ones you think could turn off buyers.

While big-ticket items like replacing an old roof or outdated flooring may seem daunting, they can pay off – especially if you focus on projects with the best return on investment (ROI).

According to Bankrate, here are some renovation projects with the highest ROI:

• Garage door replacement: 194%
• Minor kitchen remodel: 96%
• Siding replacement: 88%
• Deck addition: 83%
• Bathroom remodel (mid-range): 74%

“As a seller, it’s smart to be prepared and control whatever factors you’re able to. Things like maximizing your home’s online appeal can translate into a smoother sale — and more money in the bank.”

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to sell this spring, it’s time to start tackling your to-do list. But, before you get started, let me connect you with a real estate professional. That way you can make sure you’re spending your time and budget on projects that’ll pay off in the long run.

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

Team USA will face Canada in the National Hockey League’s 4 Nations Face-Off Championship tonight, and they are bolstered by the presence of forward Jake Guentzel, an Omaha native and UNO Hockey alumnus. Guentzel scored two goals against Canada in Team USA’s 3-1 victory Saturday in pool play. A 10-year veteran, he won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his rookie year and led all scorers in that postseason with 13 goals. Thursday, he and Team USA look to beat Canada for the first ever 4 Nations Face-Off title. After the Canadian crowd booed the Star-Spangled Banner in Montreal on Saturday, the game kicked off with three fights in the first 9 seconds of regulation. Expect high tensions and plenty of pregame boos at the finale tonight in Boston.

Ryan Kalkbrenner is looking to add a few more honors to his already lengthy list of career achievements. Kalkbrenner, the winningest player in Creighton Basketball’s history and 3-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, has been named to multiple postseason award watchlists in the past few weeks. Midseason watchlists for the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award and the Kareem Abdul Jabbar Award have been published, and he can be found on all three.

The Naismith and Wooden Awards recognize the top player in college basketball, with the Wooden award considering a player’s academic performance and character in addition to their play. The Kareem Abdul Jabbar Award distinguishes the best center in college basketball. Kalkbrenner has deservedly made the top 10 each of the last three years. On top of all that, he’s on the shortlist for both Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. If he wins his fourth-consecutive honor for Defensive Player of the Year, he will join Patrick Ewing as the only player in conference history to achieve that feat.

John Tonje & Chucky Hepburn, two former basketball standouts from the metro, were also named to the Naismith Trophy midseason watchlist last week. Tonje graduated from Omaha Central and played four years at Colorado state. He then transferred to Missouri, and now Wisconsin, where he averages 19.7 points per game for the 11th-ranked Badgers. Hepburn began his career with Wisconsin and started every game of his career over his three-year stint with the Badgers after graduating from Bellevue West High School. He now plays for the 25th-ranked Louisville Cardinals and averages 15 points per game.

LOVB Omaha dropped both of their matches in the LOVB Classic last weekend after securing the second seed and a bye in the midseason tournament. Despite losing Saturday to LOVB Houston, Omaha still had an opportunity to secure $20,000 for their team in the third-place game against LOVB Austin but lost in four sets. The second half of Omaha’s season begins tonight as they meet LOVB Houston at 4:30 p.m. You can watch the match free on LOVB’s website or with DAZN.

The Nebraska State High School Wrestling Championships are underway at CHI Health Center Omaha. More than 1,640 athletes are competing the boys’ and girls’ championships. According to Visit Omaha, the tournament will attract 65,000 fans with 75 percent of them coming from outside the metro area.

Upcoming Games

• LOVB Omaha vs. LOVB Houston | Tonight, February 20th | 4:30 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at San Diego Mojo | Tonight, February 20th | 9:05 p.m.
• UNO MBB vs. South Dakota | Saturday, February 22nd | 7:00 p.m.
• Creighton Baseball at Portland | Friday, February 21st | 2:00 p.m.
• UNO Baseball at #3 LSU | Friday, February 21st | 4:00 p.m.
• #23 Creighton WBB at DePaul | Sunday, February 23rd | 2:00 p.m.
• Creighton MBB vs. Georgetown | Sunday, February 23rd | 3:00 p.m.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Here are eight ways leaders make a positive change, according to Keith Lubner from Sales Gravy: 1. Establish a clear vision; 2. Communicate effectively; 3. Empower people; 4. Anticipate resistance; 5. Lead by example by embodying the change you seek to implement; 6. Celebrate wins; 7. Provide ongoing support, training, mentorship and resources; 8. Monitor progress and adapt as needed.

To get people to coach you, seek advice instead of asking for feedback, according to a CNBC article by Ashton Jackson’. Asking for “advice” gives you a better chance of getting helpful suggestions. When you ask for “feedback,” people tend to tread too carefully, afraid they’ll offend you.

Demand for employee surveillance software increased 54 percent between March 2020 and June 2023, according to Business Insider. Seventy-three percent of employers reported using call recordings, email or messages as a factor in performance reviews, while 37 percent said they had used a recording to fire an employee.

SALES

Have you ever procrastinated picking up the phone until you’ve accomplished “just one more thing?” Top producers know they will NEVER be 100 percent ready, so they just start calling. As General George S. Patton said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

In responding to the erroneous statement, “Nobody answers the phone anymore,” best-selling sales author Jeb Blount has two responses: 1. “If you wait for people to come to you, you’ll starve to death.” 2. “When it comes to prospecting, you cannot be delusional and have a full pipeline at the same time.”

If you want to be successful in a sales job, one of the most important traits you can possess is “hunger.” Sales author Anthony Iannarino believes there’s nothing that drives goal attainment more than hunger. “If you are not hungry, you must confront the reasons you want what you want,” Iannarino says. “Unless you address the ‘why’ something is important to you, you won’t feel the burning desire that would cause you to move towards the goal or outcome you want.”

WISDOM

“The truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.” – Elvis Presley

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Did you know the NCAA Men’s College World Series is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Omaha this year?

Did you know the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska under construction at 85th & Dodge will be $114 million, 4 stories, 107,250 sq. ft. and the first of its kind in this region of the country?

Did you know a noise ordinance passed in 1932 prohibited Omaha paper boys from shouting, “EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT?” Source: Historian Howard Hamilton

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Millwork Moves: Yoga in the Dock happening on Tuesdays: Happening on select Tuesdays, Millwork Commons is hosting Yoga in the Dock with Lotus House of Yoga! This event is free and taught by a certified yoga instructor. Simply bring a mat, a water bottle and show up to enjoy flowing movement with the community.

DIY Marketing Plan Workshop: Be the Hero of Your Own Marketing Strategy happening on February 21st: Calling all small business superheroes! Ready to get your marketing on track? Join a two-hour, interactive workshop to work through a D.I.Y. Marketing Plan Workbook and walk away with a custom 10-week plan that’s simple, practical and ready to implement. With the expert guidance of Little Guy Branding, you’ll tackle marketing goals, audience personas and more, turning confusion into clarity!

Charcuterie Class happening on February 21st: Unlock the secrets of creating the perfect charcuterie board with Artisan Boards of Omaha. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to select and arrange meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts and more to create a stunning spread that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a cozy gathering or simply looking to enhance your entertaining skills, this class will teach you how to design a board that’s as beautiful as it is delicious – no matter the season.

Winter Wine Walk happening on February 22nd: Get ready for a cozy Winter Wine Walk at Midtown Crossing on Saturday, February 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. Participating establishments are set to offer a delightful experience, featuring several exquisite wines at each spot, available for purchase in a perfect 2.5 oz. pour. Elevate your tasting journey with suggested food pairings that complement the rich flavors of each wine!

Happy Hour x The Granary happening on February 27th: Shop the racks and enjoy discounts on gently used clothes, accessories and distinctive boutique items. Whether you’re refreshing your closet or discovering unique pieces, this is the perfect opportunity to shop sustainably and find something special—all while enjoying a fun and relaxed atmosphere with friends. Don’t miss out on this refined shopping experience! Get registered for your free admission ticket and chance to win $25 in Granary Bucks!

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

WOWT-TV has announced that long-time reporter and weekend anchor Brian Mastre will take over as main co-anchor In March after John Knicely retires. A graduate of Southwest Minnesota State, Mastre has been with WOWT since 1997. Knicely is retiring after 50 years in television.

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has chosen Ryan Querry as vice president of membership development. Querry has experience in sales and membership development with organizations such as the San Francisco 49ers football team and the Omaha Children’s Museum.

Smith Pauley LLP has promoted attorney Sarah Duey to partner and has hired Joel Carney as administrative partner.

Omaha Community Playhouse has appointed Brandon Box-Higdem as associate artistic director effective in May 2025.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

According to a small gaggle of self-appointed fortune tellers in the financial media, the market is on the verge of a horrific collapse, hurling all non-believers into a fiery pit.

The cause of this rapidly approaching market apocalypse is the S&P 500’s concentration in the magnificent Seven: Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. Last year, more than half of the S&P 500’s 26 percent gain came from these seven companies.

I am not now, nor will I ever be, a market predictor. But I am mesmerized by those who claim to be. As Abe Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all the people some of the time, and that’s enough to make a decent living.”

This brings back memories of Joe Granville, who every year from 1970 to 1989, predicted that the market was on the verge of a meltdown of epic proportions. On Black Monday in 1989, the market dropped 34 percent in two hours, allowing Granville to proclaim to the investing public, “Told ya so!!” It was his first, last and only moment in the sun.

Market concentration in a small number of companies is nothing new. The original Dow Jones Industrial Average consisted of just 12 stocks – all of them railroad companies. In the decade leading up to the Crash of 1929, Wall Street banks constituted 37 percent of the market’s total value. In the early 1990s, Coca-Cola, Phillip Morris, American Express, and General Motors dominated the indexes and created one of history’s most powerful bull markets. In the early 2000s, the market soared, powered by the internet pioneers Google, Microsoft and Intel.

The point that all these near-sighted forecasters miss is the way that indexes are constructed and maintained. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are weighted by a company’s total market value. This means that the companies with the highest market cap have a disproportionate influence on the index’s movement. But as a company’s stock price fluctuates, so does its market value.

On a regular basis, the companies that manufacture the S&P and Nasdaq, adjust a stocks weighting in order to reflect their current market value. Thus, when one company stumbles, another takes its place at the head of the pack. This cushions the market from one company’s meltdown.

Another index characteristic overlooked by the aforementioned fortunetellers is the fact that stock returns are skewed to the upside. Losers can only go to zero, while winners can grow to infinity. It’s not a market negative for breakthrough companies to grow at double- or even triple-digit rates.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal provided a comment, which I think brings this discussion to a rational conclusion: “The only sensible conclusion is that there is no specific level of concentration at which the biggest stocks are so big that they send the risk sky high.”

For more on the Magnificent 7, go to my podcast, “Wall Street for Dummies.”

Hubbell Realty Company is a full-service development company providing construction, development, homebuilding and management services since 1856. Click HERE for more information.

Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

Support the Grow “O” Mission

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