In Layoff Wave, a New Threat of Economic Retreat
The public and the press usually measure unemployment one month at a time as data from ADP and the federal government are issued. The jobs market can also be tracked in another way. Mass…
Economy
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Newest first · Page 354As Consumer Borrowing Rises, Are Americans Adding Debt Too Quickly?
The Federal Reserve released its “Consumer Credit Report” for November. The sum borrowed by Americans rose $20.7 billion to $2.477 trillion. The renewal of a rapid increase in credit debt may not be as…
The Fed Games the System
Later this month, Federal Reserve officials on its Open Market Committee will begin to disclose their forecasts for interest rates. These members also will release what they believe is the most likely timing for…
Another Brief Look at the Poorest Americans
So much relies on the 2010 Census and related American Community Survey. Congressional district maps will be reset in some cases. The uses of about $400 billion per year in government aid to projects like…
FOMC To Communicate More… And Leaves Mid-2013 Low Rate Date Open To Change
The FOMC Minutes usually just tell you what you already knew, but this time is a bit different from the December meeting. New easing methods will be communicated. The FOMC will start making member…
U.S. Guns for Jobs
The U.S. sold $29.4 billion worth of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. The State Department and defense contractors can take whatever solace they need in the adage that fighter jets do not kill people — fighter…
New Survey Says Economy to Expand Next Year … If
A new poll of economists by the AP reads like many others. The U.S. GDP will improve in 2012, so long as it is not undermined by European problems and a host of other…
The Worst Holidays Since the Great Depression
Retail sales this holiday season are expected to rise 3.8% to a record of $469.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. While the increase is less than last year, it is a significant…
Fannie Mae Forecasts Weak Economy in 2012
With the fourth quarter of 2011 racking up better-than-expected sales gains both in on-line and brick-and-mortar stores, and some encouraging reports from homebuilders and on employment, the US economy going into 2012 looks to…
America’s Most (and Least) Charitable States
The holiday season is a time for giving to family and friends. It is also apparently a time to give to those in need. Nonprofits rely on end-of-year donations to meet their budgets. While…
Non-manufacturing Index Grows in November, But More Slowly
The non-manufacturing portion of the US economy, which includes retail sales, mining, and agriculture, continued on its 24-month growth path in November, although more slowly than in October. The index reading for November was…
When Car Sellers Pan Electric & Hybrid Cars (AN, GM)
Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation Inc. (NYSE: AN) was on a CNBC video this morning on the heels of news that the November sales figures were up 21% from a year earlier. The overall tone…
ISM Data Still Supports Growth, Beating All Estimates
The Institute for Supply Management has released the November ISM data on manufacturing at levels which are frankly better than expected. The levels are also out of the red zone. Today’s report noted, “Respondents…
OECD Warns on Threat of EU and U.S. Recession
The OECD has warned in its latest Economic Outlook that both the euro area and U.S. could quickly move into recession. The organization says that only a sharp change in economic policy will prevent…
Newest And Oldest States Still Stuggle With Unemployment
The old industrial states continue to have high unemployment. So do the states that became part of the US relatively recently. Most of this second group were regions of opportunity. The populations which flooded to…