Aug 21 Watch Fed Chairman Upbeat on Prospects for Economy Ben Bernanke offered a hopeful forecast for the U.S. economy Friday, saying "prospects for a return to growth in the near term appear good." Economists weigh in on the outlook. Continue watching
Aug 14 Consumer Prices Go Unchanged in July By Online DA The cost of living in the United States went unchanged in July, easing concerns among many experts that economic recovery will be hampered by rising inflation. Continue reading
Aug 12 Watch Fed Decision Signals Optimism for Economy The Fed decided Wednesday to keep short-term interest rates at a record low to help stabilize the economy. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a Washington Post reporter about the economic outlook. Continue watching
Jul 27 Watch With Trade Hub History, K.C. a Crossroads for Commerce Economics correspondent Paul Solman explores Kansas City, Mo., home to one of 12 regional Federal Reserve banks and a crossroads for the U.S. economy. Continue watching
Jul 01 Watch Russia Navigates Fallout of Economic Crisis With its fortunes tethered to volatile natural gas and oil prices, Russia has suffered record inflation and unemployment in the global financial crisis. In the second of her series of reports from Russia, Margaret Warner examines the country's economic picture. Continue watching
Jun 25 Will the Actions of the Fed and Treasury Keep Asset Prices Artificially High? Question: It seems to me like the Fed and the Treasury are trying very hard to keep asset prices high. The Fed has vastly increased the money supply, partly by lowering interest rates to zero, and partially through quantitative easing. Continue reading
Jun 23 What’s the Relationship Between Inflation and Interest Rates? Question: I am confused about the cause/effect relationship between inflation and interest rates. Many economic talking heads claim that interest rates will rise if present monetary policy produces inflation. But the principle of supply and demand suggests that if… Continue reading
Jun 16 Why Doesn’t the Government Simply Give Households Lots of Money to Stimulate the Economy? Question: One of the most popular suggestions I’ve heard for stimulating the economy is the federal government should give every household one or two million dollars. Would that work or would it create hyperinflation? Paul Solman: Let’s not be profligate… Continue reading
May 29 What Led to the High Interest Rates of the 1980s? Question: What were the causes and circumstances that led to the high interest rates in the 80’s? Was it inability to effect a change or inaction in addressing the issue? Paul Solman: If by “interest rates” you mean the rate… Continue reading
Apr 15 Can We Prepare for Inflation? Editor’s Note: The government reported Wednesday that consumer prices fell in March, indicating a weakened demand for goods and services. But while this price drop raises the specter of deflation, many economists contend that the real risk to… Continue reading