Mar 21 How much weight does the U.S. president have on interest rate changes? By Paul Solman Question/Comment: How much weight does the U.S. president have on interest rate changes? The news talks about the Federal Reserve, but it seems it was Bush’s idea to bring them down low, so everyone can own a home. I know… Continue reading
Mar 21 How much national debt is a good thing? By Paul Solman Question/Comment: Paul, please keep up your enlightening NewsHour segments. My question: How much national debt is a good thing? Generational fairness clearly calls for limits, but despite the many voices weighing in on this issue, I have yet to hear… Continue reading
Mar 21 Watch Examining the Roots of U.S. Economic Woes In recent months, the U.S. business world has been hit with troubling economic news, ranging from the subprime mortgage crisis to the Bear Stearns bailout to the plummeting value of the dollar. Paul Solman explains the factors that have led… Continue watching
Mar 18 Watch Fed Cuts Key Interest Rate in Latest Bold Move As fears of a recession intensified, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate 0.75 percent Tuesday. A finance journalist from the Wall Street Journal discusses the rate cut and the markets' response. Continue watching
Mar 18 Federal Reserve Cuts Key Interest Rate By Admin, PBS News Hour The Federal Reserve on Tuesday cut a key interest rate by three-fourths of a percentage point, moving to contain a credit crisis threatening to push the country into a recession. Continue reading
Mar 17 Watch Reaction Is Mixed After Fed’s Efforts to Boost Economy Amid a slumping economy, the Federal Reserve has resorted to some unusual methods to stave off a recession, most notably its role in coordinating the bailout of lending giant Bear Stearns. Economics experts examine the Fed's action and the state… Continue watching
Mar 17 Fed Makes Weekend Move to Aid Credit Markets By Admin, PBS News Hour Amid news of a fire sale buyout deal for lending group Bear Stearns, the Federal Reserve took more bold action over the weekend. Continue reading
Mar 14 Watch Americans Feel Economic Pains Despite Government Efforts President Bush and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sought to bolster confidence Friday that U.S. economic growth will recover despite a recent string of bleak economic reports. Two financial reporters examine how the slowdown is impacting American consumers. Continue watching
Mar 13 Watch From Lending Rules to Job Woes, Economic Tumult Persists Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson called for tougher rules for mortgages lenders Thursday, while investment fund Carlyle Capitol faced collapse after defaulting on $16 billion in debt as a string of new reports this week signaled continued weakness in the U.S. Continue watching
Mar 11 Costs at the Pump Reach Record as Oil Prices Soar By Admin, PBS News Hour Prices at the gas pump rose to a record high Tuesday as oil prices climbed, putting further strain on American consumers already confronted with slumping home values and overall concerns about a lackluster economy. Continue reading