Jan 02 Is there is a chance of rejuvenation of the American textile industry, or is it too late and gone forever to China, Korea, India and Pakistan? Question/Comment: I felt so encouraged by talk of Rust Belt life improving and of the death of U.S. manufacturing being greatly exaggerated! I am a textile designer and I wonder if you feel there is a chance of any such… Continue reading
Jan 02 When the U.S. enters into free-trade agreements, are there any rules prohibiting manipulation of foreign exchange rates? Question/Comment: When the U.S. enters into free-trade agreements, are there any rules prohibiting manipulation of foreign exchange rates? I thought the purpose of floating rates set by the market was to adjust for imbalances in trade. Obviously, that is not… Continue reading
Dec 28 Watch A Look at Who Is in Charge of Testing for Tainted Toys In the second of a two-part series, NewsHour economic correspondent Paul Solman continues his report on the safety of toys sold in the United States, now focusing on the regulatory agencies intended to safeguard consumers. Continue watching
Dec 26 Watch Journalists Reflect on Tumultuous Year for U.S. Economy After a report by Jeffrey Brown on the year in economic news, business writers from across the country reflect on how the ups and downs of the business world have impacted local communities. Continue watching
Dec 26 Home Prices Suffer 6.7 Percent Slide By PBS News Hour U.S. home prices fell in October for the 10th consecutive month, posting their largest monthly drop since early 1991, the widely watched Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index showed Wednesday. Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch Holiday Shopping Season Brings Toy Safety into Focus In the first of two reports on toy safety, NewsHour economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at how the recent controversy over lead levels in toys is affecting consumer shopping this holiday season. Continue watching
Dec 20 My understanding is that it takes .75 gallons of fuel to make one gallon of ethanol. If this is true, why is this fuel source so widely acclaimed as a great idea? Question/Comment: There are two issues I’d like to see you tackle that I have not seen anyone in the media deal with. The first has to do with the sensibility of ethanol as a renewable fuel source. My understanding is… Continue reading
Dec 20 Could you please explain the long-term decline of the dollar and predict the long-term implications of this trend? Question/Comment: Please explain the long-term decline of the dollar and predict the long-term implications of this trend. As an aside, you are a great reporter. You present complicated economic issues in an intelligent and understandable manner. I always perk up… Continue reading
Dec 18 Watch Fed Backs New Rules Aimed at Curbing Risky Home Loans The Federal Reserve proposed new mortgage regulations Tuesday that would help protect home buyers from shady lending practices following losses suffered in the risky "subprime" home loan category. A Wall Street Journal reporter looks at the recent mortgage crisis and… Continue watching
Dec 14 How is the Fed to be blamed if financial institutions are reckless and greedy during periods of low interest rates? Question/Comment: Many commentators have blamed the Fed for the mortgage mess. How is the Fed to be blamed if financial institutions are reckless and greedy during periods of low interest rates? Paul Solman: You’re cheating, Lloyd. This is two e-mails… Continue reading