Aug 05 Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodoties markets? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodities markets? My understanding is that the amount of funds et al. playing in oil futures has risen more than 70… Continue reading
Aug 04 Why didn’t the private mortgage insurance avert the current banking and credit crisis? Question/Comment: Not long ago, writing mortgages required private mortgage insurance (PMI) if the borrower’s equity in the property was below a certain percent of market level. Usually,… Continue reading
Aug 01 How exactly did the banks lose money? Question/Comment: My question about the mortgage crisis is this: how exactly did the banks lose money? It seems that people who put deposits on the loans that were foreclosed upon lost their money, not the banks. The banks… Continue reading
Aug 01 As a graduating high-school student, I am concerned about the future. What can I expect to see in the next few years? Question/Comment: As a graduating high school student, I am concerned about what the future has in store. With the economy changing the way it is, what can I expect to see in the next few years? What would be the… Continue reading
Jul 31 Why do some people refer to the current price of oil as a “bubble”? Question/Comment: Why do some people refer to the current price of oil as a "bubble" Paul Solman: Because the nature of bubbles is that they inflate, but inevitably pop. Those who refer to the "oil bubble" expect the price to… Continue reading
Jul 23 The Health Care Debate: Eliminate the for-profit middle man and all is solved? By Business Desk Question/Comment: When the NewsHour does segments on health care, I would love for you or any of the staff to ask the health care administrators, economists and especially the politicians why people support a health care system that requires… Continue reading
Jul 23 Why can’t the U.K.’s fuel efficient vehicles be sold in the U.S.? Question/Comment: Car companies such as Ford, GM and Toyota sell cars throughout the world. In examining the U.K. Web sites for these companies, even in cases where the car model is the same as the U.S. Continue reading
Jul 22 Is capitalism the best arangement under which greed will do the least harm? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Is this true?: The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system. (Milton Friedman) Paul Solman: Could be. But the… Continue reading
Jul 22 What is the future of home loans? Question/Comment: What do you think is the future of home loans: higher interest for lenders' safety or lower interest to attract borrowers? Paul Solman: You force me to trot out yet again what I once heard the late economist John… Continue reading
Jul 18 Is there any way we can hedge against the energy and commodities as an individual investor? Question/Comment: As an individual investor/consumer, it’s really hard to adjust to sudden increases in gas and food prices. Is there any way we can hedge against the energy and commodities as an individual investor? Paul Solman: It might be a… Continue reading