Jan 11 How does China control the exchange rate of its currency? This installment’s “guest vetter” is Martin Neil Baily, now with the Brookings Institution. He was chairman of President Bill Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisors and is a certified VKP (very knowledgeable person). If you… Continue reading
Jan 11 Bank of America to Buy Mortgage Lender for $4B By PBS News Hour Bank of America Corp. said Friday that it has agreed to pay $4 billion in stock for Countrywide Financial -- rescuing the battered lender that has come to represent the excesses of the subprime mortgage market. Continue reading
Jan 10 Watch Candidates Strive to Address Voter Concerns on Economy Exit polling from Tuesday's New Hampshire primary shows that the economy was the top concern among voters in the state, ahead of the Iraq war, healthcare and immigration. Financial reporters explain what candidates are doing to ease voters' economic anxieties. Continue watching
Jan 10 Do you have any information on white collar jobs such as computer programmers being outsourced? This installment’s “guest vetter” is Martin Neil Baily, now with the Brookings Institution. He was chairman of President Bill Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisors and is a certified VKP (very knowledgeable person). If you… Continue reading
Jan 09 I think Congress needs tighter control over the credit card industry. As this ‘bQandA evolves, I’ve taken to asking real economists (i.e., ones with Ph.D.s) to read both your questions and my answers, and comment on any or all of them. This installment’s “guest vetter” is Martin Neil Baily, now with… Continue reading
Jan 04 President Weighs Economic Options As Unemployment Tops 2 Year High By Admin, PBS News Hour President Bush met with economic advisers Friday to consider possible stimulus packages, as the Labor Department announced that low hiring in December pushed the U.S. unemployment rate to 5 percent, a two-year high. Continue reading
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