Jan 26 Watch Massive Job Cuts Renew Calls for Quick Action on Stimulus Several U.S. companies reeling from the economic downturn announced a total of some 45,000 job cuts on Monday. Analysts assess what the employment situation signals about new government efforts to revive the economy. Continue watching
Jan 26 What Would Happen if the Fed Decided to Raise Interest Rates? Question/Comment: A stupid question, perhaps, but here goes. Okay, lowering the overnight rate to 0.25 percent doesn’t seem to have worked very well. What would happen if the Fed decided to RAISE the rate… Continue reading
Jan 26 U.S. Companies Slash More Than 45,000 Jobs By Admin, PBS News Hour More than 45,000 job cuts were announced by major U.S. companies Monday, part of a wave of global job cuts in response to dismal 2008 financial results. Continue reading
Jan 26 Following Financial Meltdown, Iceland’s Government Collapses By PBS News Hour Iceland's coalition government collapsed Monday under the pressure of the country's financial meltdown, the first government to fall as a direct result of the worldwide economic crisis. Continue reading
Jan 26 When Do You Stop Putting Money Down on a House and Start Putting it in a Bank Account? Question/Comment: Dave and I want to know: Pretend you want a house that costs $500,000. You have $500,000 saved up. In this market, when you can get a five percent interest rate (at least) on your 30-year mortgage, is it… Continue reading
Jan 26 Drug Giant Pfizer to Acquire Wyeth in $68 Billion Deal By PBS News Hour The world's largest drug maker, Pfizer Inc., announced Monday it is acquiring rival company Wyeth for about $68 billion, in the largest pharmaceutical sector takeover since 2000. Continue reading
Jan 25 Why Are People Now Encouraged To Buy? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Is this economic downturn really related to so many U.S. citizens buying themselves into big debt with credit cards? Why then, are people now encouraged to buy? Paul Solman: Citizens, corporations and government… Continue reading
Jan 23 Watch Fallout Continues Over Banking Sector Woes, Forced Mergers In the midst of September's Wall Street meltdown, Bank of America agreed to buy the troubled Merrill Lynch -- a buyout that has proved troublesome. Analysts assess what may come next for the struggling industry. Continue watching
Jan 23 Obama Targets February to Pass Stimulus Plan By Admin, PBS News Hour President Barack Obama said Friday that he expected Congress to approve a proposed $825 million economic stimulus package by mid-February, setting up the first big test of his promise to set a new tone of bipartisanship in Washington. Continue reading
Jan 22 Watch Tech Industry Faces Struggles Amid Economic Slump Microsoft announced a drop in earnings and unprecedented job cuts, and the Intel Corporation revealed plans to shutter five plants and lay off thousands of workers Thursday. Lee Hochberg examines how the technology industry is weathering the economic crisis. Continue watching