Jun 11 Retail Sales Up for First Time in Three Months By PBS News Hour Fewer Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits last week and retail sales grew in May for the first time in three months, raising expectations that the recession could be abating. Continue reading
May 29 U.S. Economy Shrank 5.7% at Start of Year By Admin, PBS News Hour The U.S. economy shrank slightly less than initially estimated at a 5.7 percent pace at the start of 2009 as the recession lumbered into the new year, according to a government report released Friday that hinted the recession might be… Continue reading
Mar 10 Is It Realistic for the President to Cut the Deficit in Half? By Business Desk Question: Is it realistic for the president to cut the deficit in half in four years, even while spending on the war [in Iraq] and moving [troops] to Afghanistan? Paul Solman: The skepticism seems clear and well-taken. The most important… Continue reading
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