Aug 03 What’s the Basic Function of the Stock Market? Question: I would like to ask you two simple (some might say “simple-minded”) questions, which may be variants of a single question. No one has yet given me a clear, straightforward answer. Perhaps you can and will. 1) Why does… Continue reading
Jul 30 Tales From the Fed: Blinder on Fed Transparency By Business Desk Paul Solman: The Federal Reserve has long had a reputation for being secretive. Its closed-door policy has fueled suspicions and countless conspiracy theories since the central bank was established nearly a century ago. And since the Fed has moved rapidly… Continue reading
Jul 29 What About Banks That Didn’t Take TARP Money? By Business Desk Question: Thank you for your illuminating illustration of the fiasco involving our banks on PBS. How many banks in this country did not take TARP money and why… Continue reading
Jul 21 Watch Bernanke Details Stimulus Exit Plan to Congress Despite recent improvements in the economy, the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates near zero, chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Tuesday. Greg Ip of "The Economist" examines the chairman's testimony with Gwen Ifill, and discusses the central bank's plans to… Continue watching
Jul 20 Is Madoff’s Sentence a Deterrent for Future Swindlers? By Business Desk Question: I wonder whether the Madoff sentence is a sufficient deterrent for future potential criminals. If he is rumored to have stolen approximately $60 billion, then $60billion/150 years comes out to about $400 million per year. That figure is… Continue reading
Jul 17 Bank of America, Citigroup Report Strong Profits By PBS News Hour Two ailing banks that just a few months ago symbolized many of the troubles afflicting the American banking system posted strong second-quarter profits Friday, exceeding analysts' expectations. Continue reading
Jul 16 China’s Economy Rebounds With Sizable Growth By PBS News Hour The Chinese government reported that the country's economy grew by 7.9 percent in the second quarter of this year, fueled by massive stimulus spending and more than $1 trillion in lending by state-run banks. Continue reading
Jun 18 Watch Geithner Defends Plan for Regulatory Overhaul In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner details the administration's case for a sweeping overhaul of the financial regulation system and discusses the government's role in shaping an economic recovery. Continue watching
Jun 17 Watch Regulatory Reform Plan Aimed at Protecting Larger Economy President Barack Obama proposed a major overhaul of financial industry regulation Wednesday. White House adviser Christina Romer explains the administration's plans. Continue watching
Jun 09 Watch Amid Rush to Repay Rescue Funds, Banks Face New Scrutiny Big U.S. banks passed key government "stress tests" and are now working to repay federal rescue funds. Does that mean they're out of the woods and the government rescue plan worked? Financial experts offer insight. Continue watching