Oct 09 How could a U.S. domestic problem become a global liquidity crisis? Question/Comment: How could a U.S. domestic problem (the housing bubble) become a global liquidity crisis between banks putting all banks and consequently the economies worldwide in trouble? What needs to be done to prevent a global economic meltdown? Paul Solman:… Continue reading
Oct 07 Watch Federal Reserve Employs Tools to Ease Credit Fears Global markets continued to fluctuate Tuesday, as the Federal Reserve announced plans to buy up short term debt in a bid to ease strain on the credit sector. Reporters and analysts examine the Fed's moves. Continue watching
Sep 29 Could property prices be temporarily "set" at the value of the total mortgage on the property? Question/Comment: If real estate is indeed the basis of our current economy, surely we cannot let it free fall. Could property prices be temporarily “set” at the value of the total mortgage on the property? And on any new property… Continue reading
Sep 26 Is the principle of "buyer beware" the dominant principle in the American system? Question/Comment: Are you willing to argue that the subprime mortgage practices that started this problem can be deemed to be fraudulent in any way? Should anyone be convicted of anything for the devastation wreaked upon so many home buyers by… Continue reading
Sep 16 Watch Presidential Contenders Call for Financial Industry Regulation Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama promised tighter government regulation of Wall Street Tuesday as they struggled to address the country's economic woes from the campaign trail. Campaign advisers debate the candidates' proposals to regulate the investment industry. Continue watching
Sep 11 How will the taxpayers pay if Fannie and Freddie Mac fail? Question/Comment: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we are told, are so big, we can’t allow them to fail. We taxpayers could end up footing the bill for as much as $200 billion. Where will that money come from? How will… Continue reading
Sep 11 When running as intended, what cost difference does Fannie and Freddie make to the mortgage payment of the average house? By Business Desk Question/Comment: How do other nations subsidize housing (to the same end that Fannie and Freddie do in the U.S.)? When running as intended, what cost difference does Fannie and Freddie make to the mortgage payment of the average house? If… Continue reading
Sep 08 Watch Treasury Official Explains Fed's Move to Rescue Housing Firms After a recap of the weekend's news on the government takeover of housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, acting Treasury Undersecretary Andrew Ryan details the move. Continue watching
Jul 25 Foreclosures More than Double; Uptick Seen in Durable Goods By Admin, PBS News Hour U.S. homeowners lost 220,000 homes to foreclosure in the second quarter, according to a report issued Friday by RealtyTrac, Inc., a marketer of foreclosed homes. Continue reading
Jul 10 Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Stocks Tumble over Bailout Fears By PBS News Hour Shares of government-chartered mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plunged to their lowest levels since 1991 in Thursday trading over concerns the companies won't be able to raise necessary capital. Continue reading