6A – Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Opportunity #1- related to economic trends: 

"Though he’ll never admit it, Trump is riding economic trends he inherited"

A. Where did I find this opportunity? 

On the Washington Post website, which can be found at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/04/though-hell-never-admit-it-trumps-riding-economic-trends-he-inherited/

B. What leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist? 

The article initially suggests that Donald Trump will leverage the economic trends of the lowest jobless rate in 50 years and the longest expansion on record as a "tail-wind" for his re-election campaign. In this article as well as many others, since he was elected and named President of the United States, have stated that he's "not riding favorable trends that predated him" but he claims "that the economy was awful until he saved it". Hence, the "Make America Great Again" marketing campaign. 

C. Who do I think is most likely to be the customer with the opportunity? 

Registered voters as well as members of the Republican Party who currently or previously supported Donald Trump. 

D. Is the opportunity relatively easy or difficult to exploit and why? 

I believe this opportunity was relatively easy to exploit because many eyes have been on Trump as he was recently acquitted and continues on his campaign for re-election. 

E. Why did I see the opportunity? 

I saw this opportunity due to the significantly contrasting opinions of our President, Donald Trump. Since he was just acquitted, the media is booming with news and reports regarding his re-election campaign. 

Opportunity #2 - related to economic trends: 

"Are U.S. Stocks On Their Way Out?"

A. Where did I find this opportunity? 

I found this opportunity on the Forbes website, available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2020/02/06/are-us-stocks-on-their-way-out/#359886ac7ea7 

B. What leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist? 

The article led me to believe that the possibly of stocks being "on their way out" would encourage companies or corporations to more intentionally consider whether or not they should sell out of large-cap funds. This information would enable companies to utilize the potential 'opportunity' to either mitigate stock losses or monitor the economic trend more heavily as the new decade continues. Many individuals, including myself, are not aware that investment themes drastically vary from decade to decade more often then not.

C. Who do I think is most likely to be the customer with the opportunity? 

I believe all companies and corporations with invested stock are most likely to be a 'customer' of the opportunity. 

D. Is the opportunity relatively easy or difficult to exploit and why? 

The opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because even the expert quoted in the piece gives realistic and applicable data to his point of the "economic trends that define one decade rarely define the next."  

E. Why did I see the opportunity? 

I saw this opportunity because the quoted expert quite literally alluded to companies and corporations potentially rethinking their investment strategies. 

Opportunity #3 - related to regulatory trends: 

"Cannabis Trends to Watch in 2020 - Expanded Legalization"

A. Where did I find this opportunity? 

I found this opportunity on the Cannabis Dispensary Magazine website, which is available at 

https://www.cannabisdispensarymag.com/article/cannabis-trends-2020-california-market-expansion-legalization/ 

B. What leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist? 

Many people are well-aware of the expansion of legalized cannabis throughout the United States. With this expansion, it opens the door for many innovative opportunities and products - many of which are already available Internationally. 

C. Who do I think is most likely to be the customer with the opportunity? 

Any entrepreneur could be the likely customer with the opportunity. This legalization expansion across the United States could encourage more individuals to open dispensaries, farms, as well as restaurants with cannabis products. 

D. Is the opportunity relatively easy or difficult to exploit and why? 

This opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because it has been a nation wide topic of discussion - the benefits and potential hazards of cannabis legalization. 

E. Why did I see the opportunity? 

I believe I recognized the opportunity on a more in-depth level because I am from a state where it is legalized, this state is the state of Washington. Many businesses, restaurants  and products have been created since the legalization of cannabis within the state of Washington as well as others. Cannabis is also a very normalized product internationally. 

Opportunity #4 - related to regulatory trends: 

"Lamont pleads for vote on ‘truck tolls,’ legislative leaders postpone it again"

A. Where did I find this opportunity? 

I found this opportunity on the News 8 website, available at 

https://www.wtnh.com/news/politics/lamont-pleads-for-vote-on-truck-tolls-legislative-leaders-postpone-it-again/

B. What leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist? 

I believe this information suggests an opportunity might exist because the Governor was pleading to vote on tolls on large trucks to pay for a new transportation initiative. 

C. Who do I think is most likely to be the customer with the opportunity? 

I believe the legislative leaders would be the initial customers for the opportunity. However, after the bill would be passed, every individual on the road would benefit from the transportation initiative plan. 

D. Is the opportunity relatively easy or difficult to exploit and why? 

This opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because the Governor is trying to exploit this opportunity, but has not had any luck with legislative leaders as they continue to postpone it.

E. Why did I see the opportunity? 

I saw this opportunity because there is a huge need for transportation initiatives and improvements. Roads upon roads are constantly undergoing construction, all around the United States.