Apr 30 Reader Responses: The Paradox of Thrift You can watch one of Paul’s recent Making $ense pieces, The Paradox of Thrift, below. Here are a few reader reactions and Paul’s responses. Question: I have a question related to your recent segment, Paradox of Thrift: Aren’t the… Continue reading
Apr 29 What Are Quants? Question: What are ‘quants’? Paul Solman: Quantitative experts, or if you prefer, “number jocks” or “math whizzes” who have gone to “Wall St.” (ie, the world of finance). They construct formulas for investing and packaging investments. Take their… Continue reading
Apr 29 Reader Responses: In St. Louis, Comparing the Stimulus to the New Deal On Monday, Paul’s segment comparing the New Deal and the stimulus in St. Louis aired (you can watch it below), and as usual, a number of viewers wrote in. The topics ranged from okapi to jaywalking. Here are a few. Continue reading
Apr 28 Paul Hosts St. Louis Economic Forum As part of the NewsHour’s Spotlight City series on St. Louis this week, Paul traveled to the Gateway City for his piece on how today’s stimulus compares to the legacy of New Deal projects. While he was there,… Continue reading
Apr 28 In Case You Missed It: St. Louis, the Stimulus, and the New Deal By Business Desk On last night’s NewsHour, Paul investigated how stimulus funds are being spent in St. Louis and compared today’s projects with those funded by the New Deal during the Depression. Don’t miss a special slide show showcasing iconic New… Continue reading
Apr 27 When Will Any Housing Recovery Reach Small Businesses and Contractors? Question: The housing downturn has affected not only large builders, but also small businesses and contractors that support and supply them. How long will any recovery take for these sort of businesses? Paul Solman: I’m sort of a broken CD… Continue reading
Apr 27 How Does InBev’s Purchase of Anheuser-Busch Affect St. Louis? Question: For nearly 150 years, Anheuser-Busch was locally owned here in St. Louis. Now, it’s owned by someone in Belgium. Does this really mean anything for St. Louis beyond those who work for Anheuser-Busch/InBev? Paul Solman: It certainly might. A… Continue reading
Apr 24 What Role Do Cultural Institutions Play During the Downturn? Question: St. Louis has a long-standing tradition of support for and pride in its cultural institutions such as the St. Louis Botanical Gardens and the Saint Louis Zoo. What role, if any, do these sort of institutions play in keeping… Continue reading
Apr 24 How Does the Downturn Affect Urban Renewal? By Business Desk Editor’s Note: As Barack Obama’s presidency reaches the 100-day mark, the NewsHour is examining how the president’s policies and the economic crisis are affecting one city – St. Louis, where Obama will mark the milestone April 29. Paul’s segment on… Continue reading
Apr 23 If GM Is Restructured, What Happens to Shareholders? Question: If General Motors is “restructured” (either through the bankruptcy courts or outside the bankruptcy courts), will the shareholders lose all of the stocks they currently own? Or, as long as GM is a viable company traded on the… Continue reading