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Spurious correlation #2,366 · View random

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the second variable is Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO).  The chart goes from 2002 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
Download png
, svg

AI explanation

As households bought more furnishings and equipment, they needed to assess their increased wealth for credit scores, leading to a greater demand for Fair Isaac's services and driving up their stock price. It's a classic case of 'spending more, FICO soaring'.

Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image with a bold pop art style, featuring a vibrant furniture store scene. Show families exploring various furnishings and testing out appliances. In the background, display a stock market ticker with the rising price of Fair Isaac's stock (FICO), conveying the interconnectedness of household spending and stock market success. Use contrasting colors and bold outlines to create a visually striking pop art representation of this bustling scene. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.
This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Cybernetic art Woodblock painting a Polaroid photo Pop art A comic-book-style illustration with muted colors and a dotted halftone pattern from the 1960s
ChatGPT: Pop art

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO), in the following situation: As families invested in new couches, they were also cushioning their financial future, leading to a rise in the stock price of Fair Isaac. It seems that as household spending on furnishings increased, so did the stock price, indicating a direct correlation between comfy sofas and Wall Street success. It's almost as if the more tables and chairs people bought, the more they were able to pull up a seat at the stock market table. And as consumers upgraded their appliances, it was a sign that they were also plugging into investment opportunities. It's a truly electric connection between household spending and stock prices, proving that when it comes to financial success, every purchase truly does matter. It's as if the economy is saying, "Furnish me with your investments, and together we'll make some FICO fabulous profits!". Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: Picture a bustling furniture store with families browsing through couches and coffee tables, while in the background, a stock market ticker displays the rising price of Fair Isaac's stock (FICO). As customers test out new appliances and pick out stylish furnishings, the stock price steadily climbs, illustrating the direct connection between household spending and stock market success.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ Pop art ] and depicting this scene: Picture a bustling furniture store with families browsing through couches and coffee tables, while in the background, a stock market ticker displays the rising price of Fair Isaac's stock (FICO). As customers test out new appliances and pick out stylish furnishings, the stock price steadily climbs, illustrating the direct connection between household spending and stock market success. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image with a bold pop art style, featuring a vibrant furniture store scene. Show families exploring various furnishings and testing out appliances. In the background, display a stock market ticker with the rising price of Fair Isaac's stock (FICO), conveying the interconnectedness of household spending and stock market success. Use contrasting colors and bold outlines to create a visually striking pop art representation of this bustling scene.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how an increase in Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment caused Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO) to increase.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

The Journal of Behavioral Finances and Economics

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!
Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.




Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You write titles and abstracts of goofy academic research papers.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, and add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please draft the title and abstract of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Make the title punny if you can come up with clever pun. If not, just make it sound clever.

Your research team used data from Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to assess this nagging question. You found a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and p < 0.01 for 2002 to 2022.

Please respond in this format (replace "Lorem ipsum dolor sit" with your title and abstract)

[[TITLE]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit

[[ABSTRACT]]
Lorem ipsum dolor sit



ChatGPT:
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft the introduction section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the introduction section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[INTRODUCTION]]



ChatGPT:
[[INTRODUCTION]]

"Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a nice set of curtains to frame your view of Wall Street." This seems to be the sentiment echoed by households across the US as they invest in household furnishings and equipment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the stock market. Our research delves into the intriguing relationship between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the ever-fluctuating stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).

While some might argue that this connection is as improbable as finding a matching pair of socks in the laundry, we beg to differ. Our curiosity was piqued, prompting us to embark on a quest to uncover the extent to which the common household spending habits influence the seemingly distant world of stock prices. Who would have thought that a cozy armchair or a fancy espresso machine might hold the secret to predicting stock market trends?

Armed with not just data, but also an insatiable appetite for uncovering correlations in the most unexpected places, we set out to exorcise the ghost in the Wall Street machine. Our journey was fraught with peril, as we navigated the maze of economic data and financial reports, with a determination matched only by the most experienced treasure hunters.

As we unveil our findings, prepare to be amazed by the tantalizing tango of dollars and stocks, where the rise and fall of household expenditures marry the undulating waves of stock prices. You'll find that the numbers not only speak, but they dance and shimmer, casting shadows of insight on the convoluted alleyways of the stock market.

So, join us as we unravel this enigmatic relationship, because, as it turns out, your beloved throw pillows and flat-screen TVs might just be more entwined with the pulsating heartbeat of the stock market than you ever imagined. It's a tale of numbers, graphs, and stock prices, told with a touch of whimsy and a splash of data-driven delight. Welcome to the stimulating world of "FICO Fever."


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then name some cartoons and childrens' shows that you watched that are related to the topic.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a nice set of curtains to frame your view of Wall Street." This seems to be the sentiment echoed by households across the US as they invest in household furnishings and equipment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the stock market. Our research delves into the intriguing relationship between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the ever-fluctuating stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).
While some might argue that this connection is as improbable as finding a matching pair of socks in the laundry, we beg to differ. Our curiosity was piqued, prompting us to embark on a quest to uncover the extent to which the common household spending habits influence the seemingly distant world of stock prices. Who would have thought that a cozy armchair or a fancy espresso machine might hold the secret to predicting stock market trends?
Armed with not just data, but also an insatiable appetite for uncovering correlations in the most unexpected places, we set out to exorcise the ghost in the Wall Street machine. Our journey was fraught with peril, as we navigated the maze of economic data and financial reports, with a determination matched only by the most experienced treasure hunters.
As we unveil our findings, prepare to be amazed by the tantalizing tango of dollars and stocks, where the rise and fall of household expenditures marry the undulating waves of stock prices. You'll find that the numbers not only speak, but they dance and shimmer, casting shadows of insight on the convoluted alleyways of the stock market.
So, join us as we unravel this enigmatic relationship, because, as it turns out, your beloved throw pillows and flat-screen TVs might just be more entwined with the pulsating heartbeat of the stock market than you ever imagined. It's a tale of numbers, graphs, and stock prices, told with a touch of whimsy and a splash of data-driven delight. Welcome to the stimulating world of "FICO Fever."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]



ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al.," the authors find that the correlation between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is a topic that has not received ample attention in the realm of finance research. Nevertheless, our study aims to bridge this gap and bring a fresh perspective to the interconnectedness of consumer spending and stock market movements.

Doe and Jones highlight the impact of consumer behavior on stock prices in their work, shedding light on the potential influence of household purchases on the financial markets. Drawing from their insights, we delve deeper into the specific category of household furnishings and equipment, seeking to uncover the hidden dynamics at play.

Moving beyond the traditional financial literature, our exploration extends into the realms of popular non-fiction books such as "The Big Short" and "Freakonomics," which elucidate the complexities of economic systems and the unorthodox factors that drive market behavior. As we embrace these unconventional perspectives, we embark on a journey to unpack the quirky connection between throw pillows and stock portfolios.

Venturing further into the realm of fiction, we encounter narratives in "The Wealth of Nations" and "Rich Dad Poor Dad" that, although not rooted in empirical data, still capture the essence of financial decision-making and its far-reaching consequences. It is within these imaginative tales that we find inspiration to approach our research with both rigor and a hint of whimsy, recognizing that the intertwining of household spending and stock prices may hold secrets that transcend conventional economic theory.

Delving into childhood memories, we recall episodes of "DuckTales" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," where characters navigate financial endeavors amidst the backdrop of domestic settings. While seemingly lighthearted, these animated stories instill in us the realization that even the most unlikely objects within a household – from a cozy rug to a state-of-the-art blender – may, in fact, exert subtle influences on the enigmatic movements of stock market indices.

As we assimilate these varied influences from literature, fiction, and childhood recollections, we approach our research with a blend of scholarly rigor and a dash of playfulness, for who could resist the allure of uncovering the shenanigans of household expenditures and stock prices? With this eclectic tapestry of influences, we embark on our investigation with a fervor that reflects both our academic rigor and our delight in unraveling the unexpected connections between consumer whims and the ebbs and flows of stock market dynamics.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) . You used data from 2002 to 2022

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

[[INTRODUCTION]]
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a nice set of curtains to frame your view of Wall Street." This seems to be the sentiment echoed by households across the US as they invest in household furnishings and equipment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the stock market. Our research delves into the intriguing relationship between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the ever-fluctuating stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).
While some might argue that this connection is as improbable as finding a matching pair of socks in the laundry, we beg to differ. Our curiosity was piqued, prompting us to embark on a quest to uncover the extent to which the common household spending habits influence the seemingly distant world of stock prices. Who would have thought that a cozy armchair or a fancy espresso machine might hold the secret to predicting stock market trends?
Armed with not just data, but also an insatiable appetite for uncovering correlations in the most unexpected places, we set out to exorcise the ghost in the Wall Street machine. Our journey was fraught with peril, as we navigated the maze of economic data and financial reports, with a determination matched only by the most experienced treasure hunters.
As we unveil our findings, prepare to be amazed by the tantalizing tango of dollars and stocks, where the rise and fall of household expenditures marry the undulating waves of stock prices. You'll find that the numbers not only speak, but they dance and shimmer, casting shadows of insight on the convoluted alleyways of the stock market.
So, join us as we unravel this enigmatic relationship, because, as it turns out, your beloved throw pillows and flat-screen TVs might just be more entwined with the pulsating heartbeat of the stock market than you ever imagined. It's a tale of numbers, graphs, and stock prices, told with a touch of whimsy and a splash of data-driven delight. Welcome to the stimulating world of "FICO Fever."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]



ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

To peel back the layers of this financial onion, we employed a blend of research methods that would make even the most seasoned data detectives do a double-take. Our team embarked on an intrepid quest through the labyrinth of economic data, armed with an arsenal of statistical tools, economic models, and an unending supply of caffeine (for those late-night data crunching sessions, of course).

First, we meticulously scavenged through the Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) like digital Sherlock Holmeses in search of the elusive clues that could unravel the enigma of FICO and household spending. We retrieved data on annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment, as well as the feral stock price data of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) from the feral beast that is the internet.

With our trove of data in hand, we summoned the spirits of regression analysis, time series modeling, and correlation calculations to conjure forth the statistical significance lurking within the depths of our data. As we meticulously danced through the labyrinth of equations and spreadsheets, we called upon the ancient gods of p-values and correlation coefficients to guide our path.

The culmination of our methodological extravaganza resulted in the unearthing of a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01, revealing a robust relationship between annual household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the voracious stock price of FICO. These findings sent shockwaves through the halls of academia, and we couldn't help but exclaim, "Eureka! We've struck statistical gold!"

But our escapade didn't end there. In a courageous feat reminiscent of Houdini's greatest escape, we skillfully navigated the perilous shoals of data manipulation and cleaning to ensure the purity of our analysis. Our data set underwent rigorous combing and grooming, leaving no spreadsheet unturned in our pursuit of immaculate data cleanliness.

In summary, our methodological concoction can be likened to a wild potion of statistical sorcery, economic acrobatics, and data dalliances, all culminating in a groundbreaking revelation of the interconnected dance between household spending and stock prices. So, grab your calculators and fasten your seat belts as we launch into the wondrous world of data-driven discovery and economic escapades!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) .

For the time period 2002 to 2022, you found a correlation 0.9600525, r-squared of 0.9217007, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a nice set of curtains to frame your view of Wall Street." This seems to be the sentiment echoed by households across the US as they invest in household furnishings and equipment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the stock market. Our research delves into the intriguing relationship between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the ever-fluctuating stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).
While some might argue that this connection is as improbable as finding a matching pair of socks in the laundry, we beg to differ. Our curiosity was piqued, prompting us to embark on a quest to uncover the extent to which the common household spending habits influence the seemingly distant world of stock prices. Who would have thought that a cozy armchair or a fancy espresso machine might hold the secret to predicting stock market trends?
Armed with not just data, but also an insatiable appetite for uncovering correlations in the most unexpected places, we set out to exorcise the ghost in the Wall Street machine. Our journey was fraught with peril, as we navigated the maze of economic data and financial reports, with a determination matched only by the most experienced treasure hunters.
As we unveil our findings, prepare to be amazed by the tantalizing tango of dollars and stocks, where the rise and fall of household expenditures marry the undulating waves of stock prices. You'll find that the numbers not only speak, but they dance and shimmer, casting shadows of insight on the convoluted alleyways of the stock market.
So, join us as we unravel this enigmatic relationship, because, as it turns out, your beloved throw pillows and flat-screen TVs might just be more entwined with the pulsating heartbeat of the stock market than you ever imagined. It's a tale of numbers, graphs, and stock prices, told with a touch of whimsy and a splash of data-driven delight. Welcome to the stimulating world of "FICO Fever."

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]



ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The financial world may seem like a distant and mysterious realm, but our research has shown that the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment has a tight grip on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). We peeled back the layers of economic data and unraveled a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525, an r-squared of 0.9217007, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period from 2002 to 2022. In simpler terms, imagine the FICO stock price and household spending holding hands and skipping merrily through the meadows of correlation, singing "Money makes the world go 'round!"

Fig. 1 visually encapsulates this delightful dance of dollars and stocks, where the scatterplot offers a compelling snapshot of the strong correlation between the variables. As you gaze upon this scatterplot, you might whisper to yourself, "Who would have thought that a new coffee maker could brew up stock market insights?"

In conclusion, our data-driven escapade has unveiled the charming interplay between seemingly unrelated spheres of household expenditures and stock prices. It seems Wall Street is not just a concrete jungle of suits and ties; it's also a whimsical tapestry woven with the threads of our domestic spending choices. So, the next time you add a fancy rug to your living room or upgrade your kitchen appliances, take a moment to ponder the ripple effect it might be creating in the sophisticated waltz of the stock market. Who knew that your household purchases could have such a sway over Wall Street's financial tides? Welcome to the enchanting world of "FICO Fever," where household spending and stock prices waltz hand in hand, creating a melody of financial fascination.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al.," the authors find that the correlation between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is a topic that has not received ample attention in the realm of finance research. Nevertheless, our study aims to bridge this gap and bring a fresh perspective to the interconnectedness of consumer spending and stock market movements.
Doe and Jones highlight the impact of consumer behavior on stock prices in their work, shedding light on the potential influence of household purchases on the financial markets. Drawing from their insights, we delve deeper into the specific category of household furnishings and equipment, seeking to uncover the hidden dynamics at play.
Moving beyond the traditional financial literature, our exploration extends into the realms of popular non-fiction books such as "The Big Short" and "Freakonomics," which elucidate the complexities of economic systems and the unorthodox factors that drive market behavior. As we embrace these unconventional perspectives, we embark on a journey to unpack the quirky connection between throw pillows and stock portfolios.
Venturing further into the realm of fiction, we encounter narratives in "The Wealth of Nations" and "Rich Dad Poor Dad" that, although not rooted in empirical data, still capture the essence of financial decision-making and its far-reaching consequences. It is within these imaginative tales that we find inspiration to approach our research with both rigor and a hint of whimsy, recognizing that the intertwining of household spending and stock prices may hold secrets that transcend conventional economic theory.
Delving into childhood memories, we recall episodes of "DuckTales" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," where characters navigate financial endeavors amidst the backdrop of domestic settings. While seemingly lighthearted, these animated stories instill in us the realization that even the most unlikely objects within a household – from a cozy rug to a state-of-the-art blender – may, in fact, exert subtle influences on the enigmatic movements of stock market indices.
As we assimilate these varied influences from literature, fiction, and childhood recollections, we approach our research with a blend of scholarly rigor and a dash of playfulness, for who could resist the allure of uncovering the shenanigans of household expenditures and stock prices? With this eclectic tapestry of influences, we embark on our investigation with a fervor that reflects both our academic rigor and our delight in unraveling the unexpected connections between consumer whims and the ebbs and flows of stock market dynamics.

[[RESULTS]]
The financial world may seem like a distant and mysterious realm, but our research has shown that the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment has a tight grip on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). We peeled back the layers of economic data and unraveled a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525, an r-squared of 0.9217007, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period from 2002 to 2022. In simpler terms, imagine the FICO stock price and household spending holding hands and skipping merrily through the meadows of correlation, singing "Money makes the world go 'round!"
Fig. 1 visually encapsulates this delightful dance of dollars and stocks, where the scatterplot offers a compelling snapshot of the strong correlation between the variables. As you gaze upon this scatterplot, you might whisper to yourself, "Who would have thought that a new coffee maker could brew up stock market insights?"
In conclusion, our data-driven escapade has unveiled the charming interplay between seemingly unrelated spheres of household expenditures and stock prices. It seems Wall Street is not just a concrete jungle of suits and ties; it's also a whimsical tapestry woven with the threads of our domestic spending choices. So, the next time you add a fancy rug to your living room or upgrade your kitchen appliances, take a moment to ponder the ripple effect it might be creating in the sophisticated waltz of the stock market. Who knew that your household purchases could have such a sway over Wall Street's financial tides? Welcome to the enchanting world of "FICO Fever," where household spending and stock prices waltz hand in hand, creating a melody of financial fascination.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

Our study has ventured into uncharted territory, revealing unexpected ties between the whims of consumer spending and the ebbs and flows of stock market dynamics. In aligning with the quirky insights of "The Big Short" and "Freakonomics," our findings substantiate the impact of household expenditures on stock prices, solidifying the unconventional notion that even throw pillows and toasters might hold hidden powers over Wall Street. Inspired by the playful spirit of "DuckTales" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," we approached our research with whimsy, and lo and behold, uncovered a delightful dance of dollars and stocks, where the figures pirouetted across our scatterplot with glee.

Delving into the financial rabbit hole, we arrived at a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525, akin to discovering a treasure chest glittering with golden coins and stock symbols. Our results, a delightful spectacle of statistical significance, echoed the sentiments of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "The Wealth of Nations," where economic decisions can exert influence far beyond the confines of traditional market theories.

In essence, our study echoes the sentiments of "DuckTales" and "SpongeBob SquarePants," as we revealed that even the most innocuous household items may hold sway over the capricious nature of stock market indices. Our findings offer a whimsical twist to conventional theories, reminding us that the financial world is not just a serious business of numbers and charts; it's also a playground where household purchases partake in an enchanting waltz with stock values.

So, dear reader, as we bid adieu, we invite you to ponder the profound implications of our discoveries. Consider this: the next time you purchase a new set of curtains or a sleek vacuum cleaner, you may inadvertently be composing the next movement in the symphony of stock market dynamics. Enter the realm of "FICO Fever," where household spending and stock prices entwine in a dance of financial fascination, revealing the enchanted connection between dollars and stocks.


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a researcher writing an academic paper.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO). Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection

[[ABSTRACT]]
In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

[[INTRDUCTION]]
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a nice set of curtains to frame your view of Wall Street." This seems to be the sentiment echoed by households across the US as they invest in household furnishings and equipment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the stock market. Our research delves into the intriguing relationship between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the ever-fluctuating stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).
While some might argue that this connection is as improbable as finding a matching pair of socks in the laundry, we beg to differ. Our curiosity was piqued, prompting us to embark on a quest to uncover the extent to which the common household spending habits influence the seemingly distant world of stock prices. Who would have thought that a cozy armchair or a fancy espresso machine might hold the secret to predicting stock market trends?
Armed with not just data, but also an insatiable appetite for uncovering correlations in the most unexpected places, we set out to exorcise the ghost in the Wall Street machine. Our journey was fraught with peril, as we navigated the maze of economic data and financial reports, with a determination matched only by the most experienced treasure hunters.
As we unveil our findings, prepare to be amazed by the tantalizing tango of dollars and stocks, where the rise and fall of household expenditures marry the undulating waves of stock prices. You'll find that the numbers not only speak, but they dance and shimmer, casting shadows of insight on the convoluted alleyways of the stock market.
So, join us as we unravel this enigmatic relationship, because, as it turns out, your beloved throw pillows and flat-screen TVs might just be more entwined with the pulsating heartbeat of the stock market than you ever imagined. It's a tale of numbers, graphs, and stock prices, told with a touch of whimsy and a splash of data-driven delight. Welcome to the stimulating world of "FICO Fever."

[[RESULTS]]
The financial world may seem like a distant and mysterious realm, but our research has shown that the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment has a tight grip on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). We peeled back the layers of economic data and unraveled a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525, an r-squared of 0.9217007, and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the period from 2002 to 2022. In simpler terms, imagine the FICO stock price and household spending holding hands and skipping merrily through the meadows of correlation, singing "Money makes the world go 'round!"
Fig. 1 visually encapsulates this delightful dance of dollars and stocks, where the scatterplot offers a compelling snapshot of the strong correlation between the variables. As you gaze upon this scatterplot, you might whisper to yourself, "Who would have thought that a new coffee maker could brew up stock market insights?"
In conclusion, our data-driven escapade has unveiled the charming interplay between seemingly unrelated spheres of household expenditures and stock prices. It seems Wall Street is not just a concrete jungle of suits and ties; it's also a whimsical tapestry woven with the threads of our domestic spending choices. So, the next time you add a fancy rug to your living room or upgrade your kitchen appliances, take a moment to ponder the ripple effect it might be creating in the sophisticated waltz of the stock market. Who knew that your household purchases could have such a sway over Wall Street's financial tides? Welcome to the enchanting world of "FICO Fever," where household spending and stock prices waltz hand in hand, creating a melody of financial fascination.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]



ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In wrapping up our expedition into the whimsical world of "FICO Fever," we have unraveled a correlation so strong, even the most steadfast skeptic would exclaim, "Good gravy!" The tether between annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment and the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation sings a siren song, enticing observers from both Main Street and Wall Street to join the dance. It's as if every dollar spent on a new lamp or a fluffy rug sends ripples through the stock market, turning the infamous bulls and bears into a merry-go-round of financial frolic.

As we bid adieu to this captivating endeavor, we leave you with a hearty chuckle and a resounding declaration: the connection between household spending and stock prices is no longer a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma – it's a punchline waiting to be shared at the water cooler. No longer shall we labor in search of a deeper understanding; for now, we shall rest, content in the knowledge that the jolly tango of dollars and stocks has been unearthed, and our work here is done. So, pop the champagne, raise your fancy coffee mugs, and let's toast to the delightful synchrony of homey comforts and financial figures.

In short, the game is afoot, but our investigation has reached its merry end. It's time to hang up our academic hats and bow out gracefully, leaving the stage to ring with the echo of our findings – and maybe a few chuckles at the unexpected connection we've uncovered. No more research is needed in this cheerful and quirky arena of household spending and stock prices. Cheers to FICO Fever, and may its jubilant spirit continue to charm and amuse the minds of curious researchers and stock market aficionados alike!


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Journal of Behavioral Finances and Economics


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Institute for Economic Wellness and Financial Forecasting


Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled FICO Fever: Uncovering the Household Spending and Stock Market Connection with an abstract of In this study, we set out to answer the age-old question: Does the annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment have an impact on the stock price of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)? With a twinkle in our eyes and data in our spreadsheets, we dove into the treasure trove of Bureau of Labor Statistics and LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv) to unravel this mystery. Our findings, revealed against the backdrop of calculators and scatter plots, brought forth a correlation coefficient of 0.9600525 and a p-value of less than 0.01 for the time span of 2002 to 2022. Stay tuned as we present this data-driven dance of dollars and stocks, where even the most mundane household item can hold the key to Wall Street's whims and wonders!

ChatGPT:

household spending, stock market, Fair Isaac Corporation, FICO, correlation coefficient, Bureau of Labor Statistics, LSEG Analytics, Refinitiv, US household spending, annual spending, household furnishings, equipment, Wall Street, data analysis, correlation analysis, stock price, household items, stock market connection

*There is a bunch of Python happening behind the scenes to turn this prompt sequence into a PDF.



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Data details

Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment
Detailed data title: Average annual household spend on household furnishings and equipment
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
See what else correlates with Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment

Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO)
Detailed data title: Opening price of Fair Isaac (FICO) on the first trading day of the year
Source: LSEG Analytics (Refinitiv)
Additional Info: Via Microsoft Excel Stockhistory function

See what else correlates with Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO)

Correlation r = 0.9600525 (Pearson correlation coefficient)
Correlation is a measure of how much the variables move together. If it is 0.99, when one goes up the other goes up. If it is 0.02, the connection is very weak or non-existent. If it is -0.99, then when one goes up the other goes down. If it is 1.00, you probably messed up your correlation function.

r2 = 0.9217007 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 92.2% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO)) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment) over the 21 years from 2002 through 2022.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 5.8E-12. 0.0000000000058011326740052780
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme. More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.96 in 5.8E-10% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 172,380,129,226 random variables You don't actually need 172 billion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 20 degrees of freedom, Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 20 because we have two variables measured over a period of 21 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.9, 0.98 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!


All values for the years included above: If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.
200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment (Household spend)151814971646176717081797162415061467151415801542158118181829198720252098234627012606
Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO) (Stock price)27.728.4733.0736.5144.1140.232.2816.921.3823.58374362.4972.6193.33119.82153.41184.16377511.99437.15




Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
    p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
  4. Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.




Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."


# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([1518,1497,1646,1767,1708,1797,1624,1506,1467,1514,1580,1542,1581,1818,1829,1987,2025,2098,2346,2701,2606,])
array_2 = np.array([27.7,28.47,33.07,36.51,44.11,40.2,32.28,16.9,21.38,23.58,37,43,62.49,72.61,93.33,119.82,153.41,184.16,377,511.99,437.15,])
array_1_name = "Annual US household spending on household furnishings and equipment"
array_2_name = "Fair Isaac's stock price (FICO)"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)



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You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

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Correlation ID: 2366 · Black Variable ID: 19916 · Red Variable ID: 1893
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