Feb 11 Where is the Fed rate cut felt in the economy? Question/Comment: A Fed rate cut presumably has a cost; where is that felt? Paul Solman: Encouraging folks who made bad decisions before – invested stupidly, say, in mortgage-backed securities – to invest stupidly again, since the Fed will bail them… Continue reading
Feb 08 If the Dow Jones goes up by 200 points how are these 200 points measured? Question/Comment: If the Dow Jones goes up by 200 points how are these 200 points measured? Paul Solman: Roughly, the sum of the stock prices of the 30 companies in the Dow Jones industrial average, companies chosen as the biggest… Continue reading
Jan 28 Watch President Bush’s 2008 State of the Union Address President Bush delivered his last formal State of the Union address Monday night, seeking to ease American anxieties over the economy and detail recent progress in Iraq. Following is the text of President Bush's 2008 State of the Union Address,… Continue watching
Jan 28 How effective have stimulus packages been in the past? Question/Comment: How effective have past stimulus packages been at achieving their objectives and their impact against the estimated consequence of taking no active stimulating role? Paul Solman: Depends what you mean by “achieving their objectives.” Last time around, people spent… Continue reading
Jan 23 I always hear about the Chinese keeping their currency at an artificial rate to help exports. Where would the cost of doing that show up? Question/Comment: I always hear about the Chinese keeping their currency at an artificial rate to help exports, but I know from trying to hold a lid on a boiling pot that the pressure is going to come out somewhere. If… Continue reading
Jan 17 Watch Amid Economic Woes, Push Intensifies for Stimulus Package President Bush spoke with congressional leaders Thursday about an economic rescue package as Fed chief Ben Bernanke testified on Capitol Hill that it is "critically important" that a stimulus effort take effect quickly. Members of the House budget panel detail… Continue watching
Jan 17 Quick Implementation Best for Economic Boost, Fed Chair Says By Admin, PBS News Hour Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told lawmakers Thursday it is "critically important" that an economic stimulus package take effect quickly to ward off a recession, recommending the government get cash into peoples' hands as soon as possible. Continue reading
Jan 17 Could you explain to us novices what long term effects will the subprime lending debacle have on our economy? Questions/Comment: Could you explain to us novices what long term effects will the subprime lending debacle have on our economy? What remedial measures need to be taken by the government and investors to limit the damage? Finally, which branch of… Continue reading
Jan 04 President Weighs Economic Options As Unemployment Tops 2 Year High By Admin, PBS News Hour President Bush met with economic advisers Friday to consider possible stimulus packages, as the Labor Department announced that low hiring in December pushed the U.S. unemployment rate to 5 percent, a two-year high. Continue reading
Dec 12 With so many consultants and service providers who essentially fly for a living, what is the trade off between efficiency and superior talent pool sourcing? Question/Comment: I just saw your story on the Nov. 29 NewsHour and was curious about the short supply chain advantage in terms of services vs. manufacturing. With so many consultants and service providers who essentially fly for a living, what… Continue reading