US Top News and Analysis | Family investors turn to old-economy businesses like dealerships and fisheries to avoid AI disruption

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Family offices are increasingly turning to “old‑economy” assets—such as John Deere and Kenworth dealerships, blue‑fin tuna fisheries, and other asset‑heavy businesses—to hedge against AI‑driven disruption, a strategy championed by Mark Sotir, president of Sam Zell’s Equity Group Investments (EGI). EGI’s approach favors long‑term, cash‑flow‑generating investments that are less likely to become obsolete, avoiding the uncertainty of tech startups and focusing on companies with durable geographic moats, franchise protections, or quota‑based entry barriers. The “HALO” (heavy assets, low obsolescence) trend is bolstered by tax reforms that renew bonus depreciation, allowing families to deduct the full cost of equipment in the year it’s placed in service, which can offset gains from appreciated stock holdings. Dealerships, in particular, offer resilient parts‑service margins and predictable income, while fisheries and agricultural assets provide additional barriers to competition. Because family‑backed firms like EGI are not pressured to flip investments within a few years, they can acquire such assets at discounts and patiently wait for long‑term payoff, even amid inflation, tariffs, and rising input costs.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/15/family-investors-economy-businesses-to-avoid-ai-disruption.html

#MarkSotir #BrianHans #EquityGroup #JohnDeere #Kenworth #UBS #Zellfamily #Familyoffices #HALO #WallStreet #

“The Operation, Care and Repair of Farm Machinery”, Eleventh Edition

Presented by John Deere

#booms #reading #farming #rurallife #johndeere

A Tractor From A Small Town Might Just Be The Catalyst For Ousting Machinery DRM

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/04/30/a-tractor-from-a-small-town-might-just-be-the-catalyst-for-ousting-machinery-drm/

US Top News and Analysis | For car, phone, even tractor owners, a populist wave is rising to end the 'captive' repair economy

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

The article reports that a broad, bipartisan “right‑to‑repair” movement is reshaping U.S. consumer policy, with states such as California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington and Texas adopting comprehensive laws that force manufacturers—from Apple and Samsung to John Deere and automakers—to provide independent shops and owners with the parts, tools, and diagnostic information needed to fix electronics, appliances, farm equipment and vehicles. Recent developments include Maine’s pending electronics bill, a $99 million settlement by Deere over a class‑action suit, and a surge of federal proposals such as the REPAIR Act (targeting autos) and the Fair Repair Act (covering broader appliances and electronics) championed by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D‑NM) and Josh Hawley (R‑MO). Advocates argue these measures restore consumer ownership, lower repair costs (saving families up to $400 a year), and create jobs, while opponents worry about safety risks, trade‑secret protection, and regulatory overreach. The movement’s appeal cuts across party lines, reflecting growing frustration with “captive” repair ecosystems and highlighting a populist push for affordable, independent repair options in the evolving digital economy.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/25/right-to-repair-consumer-prices-affordability-economy-elections.html

#Apple #JohnDeere #FTC #REPAIRAct #BenLuján #JoshHawley