PPI: Inflation Remains the Bogeyman
ThinkstockInflation is just not appearing in the broad economic numbers. A fresh report from the U.S. Department of Labor actually is not that fresh, but it is the most recent report on inflation because…
Economy
All Economy Articles
Newest first · Page 316All Eyes on FOMC Meeting, Irony or Paradox?
ThinkstockThe October 29 to 30 Federal Open Market Committee policy meeting is one which may be a bit of a paradox, or at least one full of irony. It is easy to assume that…
Encouraging Marriage to Drive the Economy
fotopediaThe declining number of marriages gets criticized as a lack of commitment between people, or a challenge to the moral belief that people should not simply live together. Economists argue that marriage also tends…
Consumer Sentiment Worse Than Preliminary Report and Expectations
ThinkstockThe Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment for the end of October is a revised report, but this came in at 73.2. What is interesting is that the preliminary report was higher at 75.2, and…
Big Disappointment in Durable Goods for September
ThinkstockThe report on durable goods can be the most volatile of all major economic reports. It is reported each month, covering the big-ticket items that consumers and businesses buy to work for years. Trends…
U.S. Flash PMI for October Could Have Been Worse
ThinkstockThe U.S. purchasing managers’ index (PMI) flash reading for October came in a 51.1, just barely a positive reading and the lowest level for the index in the past 12 months. A Bloomberg survey…
Eurozone Economic Activity Slows in October
ThinkstockBusiness activity in the eurozone’s private sector grew at a slower pace in October, according to data firm Markit. Its flash Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) came in at 51.5 for the month, down…
Many Americans Will Not Retire Until They Die
ThinkstockWhy bother to retire when you can die at work? A new survey from Wells Fargo finds that, among middle class Americans, “37% Say ‘I’ll Never Retire, but Work Until I’m Too Sick or Die.'” …
McDonald’s Advice to Worker: Not Making Enough to Live On, Apply for Food Stamps
ThinkstockAn employee of McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) who has worked for the company for 10 years and called the company’s employee hotline for advice on how to make ends meet was told to seek…
College Tuition Price Hikes Lowest In Almost 40 Years
ThinkstockGood news is on the way for students who want to go to college. It appears as though the price hikes in college tuition are finally slowing. By now you have heard likely heard…
No Inflation Seen from Import and Export Prices in September
ThinkstockWednesday morning brought yet another delayed economic report from the Labor Department. This was the import and export prices for September, and it is a precursor to inflation readings in many counts. The good…
Is the Recession in Europe Really Over?
ThinkstockFive top European Union officials responsible for economic policy recently said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, “Our response to the crisis, which is based on an integrated approach by member states and European…
Fed Could Increase Bond Buying to Help Economy
ThinkstockAs recently as a month ago, the consensus among economists was the Federal Reserve would cut back its $85 billion a month asset purchasing program. The economy appeared to be doing well enough that…
Did HFTs and Algos Kill Efficient Market Theory Again on the Unemployment Report?
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesMany college courses will try to teach you that it is nearly impossible to beat the market through time because the broad markets are supposed to reflect all relevant information…
August New Construction Spending Climbs Again
ThinkstockThe U.S. Census Bureau reported Tuesday morning that construction spending in August increased by 0.6% to an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of $915.1 billion from an upwardly revised estimate of $909.4 billion in…