Feb 02 Consumer Spending Drops in December While Savings Rates Increase By PBS News Hour Consumers cut spending for a sixth straight month in December and, heeding the impact of the recession-laden economy, boosted their savings rates to the highest level since May, according to the latest round of government reports. Continue reading
Dec 24 Consumer Spending, Durables Goods Orders Drop as Jobless Claims Rise By PBS News Hour The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that consumer spending fell for a fifth straight month in November, and Americans' incomes dropped as well, partially reflecting massive job layoffs. Continue reading
Nov 06 Watch As U.S. Fiscal Woes Persist, Lawmakers Pledge More Aid The U.S. economy continued to falter as markets sank sharply Thursday for the second consecutive day. A chief investment officer and a journalist discuss congressional plans to craft a stimulus package later this month and weigh efforts by lawmakers to… Continue watching
Mar 13 Watch From Lending Rules to Job Woes, Economic Tumult Persists Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson called for tougher rules for mortgages lenders Thursday, while investment fund Carlyle Capitol faced collapse after defaulting on $16 billion in debt as a string of new reports this week signaled continued weakness in the U.S. Continue watching
Jan 30 Watch Fed Cuts Key Interest Rate Again in Bid to Avert Economic Anxieties The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by half a point Wednesday -- the second rate reduction in eight days in a bid to help ease pressure on jittery financial markets. Wall Street Journal economics editor David Wessel examines… Continue watching
Dec 10 I read that the drop of sales in the RV market could signal the possibility of a recession. How? Question/Comment: I read that the drop of sales in the RV market could signal the possibility of a recession. How? Paul Solman: At the simplest level, a drop in the sales of anything could signal a recession. RVs = leisure… Continue reading
Dec 07 Watch U.S. Job Growth Held Steady in Nov., Labor Dept. Says The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that both job growth and unemployment remained steady in the month of November, despite problems in the housing and credit markets. New York Times economy reporter David Leonhardt evaluates the new job numbers and… Continue watching
Nov 23 Watch Holiday Shopping Brings Economic Concerns into Focus The Friday after Thanksgiving kicked off what most consider to be the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with retailers hoping for a robust consumer turnout. Financial analysts discuss how consumers' concerns over the housing slump and falling dollar may… Continue watching
Jul 20 Watch Dow Hits Record High, But Housing Foreclosures Rise The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped a record 14,000 this week, but other concerns about the economy remained, including an increase in housing foreclosures. A columnist explains the economic factors. Continue watching
Jun 06 Watch Dow Continues Dive After Fed Chief Expresses Inflation Concerns Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke this week expressed concerns over core inflation and noted a slowing economy, cooling housing market, and lower consumer spending, leading investors to expect another interest rate hike. Continue watching