Dec 23 I’m Not Sure It’s My Responsibility to Go Out and Shop to Keep Businesses Afloat. By Business Desk Question/Comment: It seems to me there’s been a shift in market thinking in the recent past. I’m not sure that it’s my responsibility to go out and shop to keep businesses afloat; I always thought that it was business’ responsibility… Continue reading
Dec 22 Watch Details Scarce on How Banks Are Spending Rescue Funds With half of the $700 billion in financial industry rescue funds already allocated, new questions are emerging over exactly how banks have used the money. A financial reporter and a top GAO official examine the issue. Continue watching
Dec 19 Which Is It: Spend or Save? By Business Desk Question/Comment: We’re told that lower consumer spending will make economic recovery much more difficult. We’re admonished that we don’t save nearly enough, and are among the lowest among industrialized nations. So which is it: spend or save? Paul Solman: The… Continue reading
Dec 17 In Case You Missed It: Low Consumer Confidence Limits Holiday Spending By Business Desk // ]> // ]]> On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Paul Solman looked at the psychological causes and effects of low consumer confidence through the holiday season. Continue reading
Nov 28 Watch Retailers Look to Holiday Season for Needed Sales Boost Amid the shopping frenzy of "Black Friday" -- the traditional after-Thanksgiving kick off to the holiday shopping season -- retailers are looking to holiday sales to boost their sagging balance books. Jeffrey Brown talks to analysts about how the retail… Continue watching
Nov 26 Watch London Shopkeepers Struggle to Stay in Business Amid Economic Troubles Britain's famous shops are reeling from troubles in the country's banking sector and hoping that a new stimulus plan will provide a much-needed boost. Margaret Warner reports from London on how businesses are coping with the crisis. Continue watching
Oct 30 Watch Consumers Trim Spending in New Sign of Economic Downturn New data show that consumer spending fell 3.1 percent in the third quarter, its sharpest drop in 28 years. New York Times columnist David Leonhardt examines the latest numbers. Continue watching
Oct 30 U.S. Economy Shrinks as Consumers Slow Spending By Admin, PBS News Hour The Commerce Department reported Thursday the economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the July to September period, indicating that a recession may have already begun. Continue reading
Aug 14 Energy, Food Costs Push Consumer Prices up, Fueling Inflation Fears By Admin, PBS News Hour The Labor Department reported a 0.8 percent rise in consumer prices in July -- double the expected rate -- sending inflation on its fastest annual pace in 17 years. Continue reading
Aug 05 Fed Opts to Leave Key Interest Rate Unchanged By Admin, PBS News Hour The Federal Reserve decided Tuesday for a second consecutive meeting to keep a key interest rate at 2 percent, saying that overall the economy is doing well despite inflationary fears. Continue reading