Nov 11 Watch Help for Burdened Mortgage Borrowers Offers Costs and Benefits U.S. homeowners have been among the hardest-hit by the global economic meltdown. In the first of a series, analysts discuss the benefits and flaws of governmental and lender recovery plans, including Citibank's offer to modify loan terms for those falling… Continue watching
Nov 07 What is the reasoning behind having the Fed, rather than the market, set short term interest rates? Question/Comment: Dear Mr. Solman: I’m hoping you will answer my question as to the reasoning behind or justification for having a committee (i.e., the Federal Reserve) setting the price of money, i.e., interest rate. It is generally accepted that it… Continue reading
Oct 29 Watch Fed Makes Aggressive Rate Cut in Bid to Loosen Credit Markets In a new move to stem the impact of the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by half a percentage point to 1 percent Wednesday. Krishna Guha, chief U.S. economics correspondent for the Financial Times, discusses… Continue watching
Oct 29 For Ninth Time in a Year, Fed Chops Key Rate Again to 1 Percent By Admin, PBS News Hour As expected, the Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate Wednesday afternoon by half a percentage point as it seeks to revive an economy hit by a long list of maladies stemming from the most severe financial crisis in decades. Continue reading
Oct 28 Dow Jumps Nearly 900 Points Despite Report of Low Consumer Confidence By PBS News Hour Investors looking for a bargain in devalued stocks helped the Dow Jones industrials soar nearly 900 points, the second-biggest one-day point gain ever, on Tuesday. Continue reading
Oct 27 Now that governments have to inject billions into world banks, do you think monetary policy should be adjusted to better maintain a balance between currency in circulation and bank funds? Question/Comment: The ratio between commercial bank money and currency in circulation has been widening for decades. While the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy has protected our economy from runaway inflation, it may have been starving the market for currency. Now that… Continue reading
Oct 24 Watch Multiple Economic Factors Driving Fears of Global Recession U.S. and global markets endured another tough day Friday as fears intensified of a global recession. Financial experts examine the factors driving the recession speculation and possible solutions to the crisis. Continue watching
Oct 23 Watch Greenspan Admits ‘Flaw’ to Congress, Predicts More Economic Problems Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan told Congress Thursday the economic crisis unveiled "a flaw" in his view of world markets. Economic analysts discuss his testimony and legacy. Continue watching
Oct 23 Greenspan Calls Financial Crisis a ‘Credit Tsunami’ By PBS News Hour In testimony before Congress Thursday, former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan said that the current financial crisis is a "once in a century credit tsunami" that will continue to impact the U.S. economy, spurring more job losses to come. Continue reading
Oct 22 Foreclosure Rates for 3rd Quarter Up 70% From Last Year By Admin, PBS News Hour New data released Thursday show the number of homeowners caught in the foreclosure crisis grew by more than 70 percent in the third quarter compared with the same period last year. Continue reading