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
Jul 18 Watch Bailout of Mortgage Firms Could Set Risky Precedent As the nation's housing woes continue, the government announced a plan this week to shore up mortgage-giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Paul Solman weighs the role of government intervention and the possible ramifications of rewarding risky financial behaviors. Continue watching
Jul 17 Watch Fannie Mae CEO Defends Mortgage Giant’s Stability Fannie Mae CEO Daniel Mudd reacts to questions about the stability of the mortgage-lending giant after the government took steps earlier this week to back Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to maintain stability and confidence in U.S. financial… Continue watching
Jul 15 Watch Government Bailouts, Poor Growth Fuel Concerns Over Banking Sector Troubling economic reports and bleak forecasts from the nation's economic policymakers have fueled new concerns over the health of the economy and the stability of the nation's banks. Banking experts offer insight. Continue watching
Jul 15 Watch Continued Economic Concerns Draw Attention on Hill Amid signs of continued economic distress, President Bush and the nation's top economic policymakers fanned out across Washington, seeking to reassure roiling markets, skittish investors, and a worried public. Ray Suarez wraps up the latest economic news. Continue watching
Jul 15 Bernanke: Economy Faces ‘Numerous Difficulties’ By Admin, PBS News Hour Amid a flurry of government-backed steps to fortify the U.S. economy, Fed chief Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Tuesday the economy continues to face "numerous difficulties" including turbulent financial markets, rising unemployment and housing troubles. Continue reading
Jul 14 Watch Treasury, Fed Propose Safety Net for Mortgage Giants Congress must soon decide on a U.S. Treasury-Federal Reserve measure to save mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae from further crisis. An economics editor and House Financial Committee members weigh the options. Continue watching
Jul 14 U.S. Government Takes Steps to Back Struggling Mortgage Giants By PBS News Hour The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve laid out plans Sunday to help bolster lagging confidence in mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Continue reading
Jul 08 Watch Fed Ready to Strengthen Regulations Tied to Lending Practices Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke outlined new rules Monday that are intended to protect homebuyers from risky lending practices blamed for a nationwide housing crisis. Wall Street Journal editor David Wessel examines the move. Continue watching
Jun 06 Unemployment Rate Jumps to 5.5% in May By Admin, PBS News Hour The nation's unemployment rate hit 5.5 percent in May as employers cut 49,000 jobs, providing a fresh snapshot of a still-struggling U.S. economy. Employers have now cut payrolls for five straight months. Continue reading