Feb 28 Watch Congress Divided on Economic Relief, Housing Measures President Bush played down the possibility of recession Thursday, while Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke explained to Congress the difficulties of balancing rising inflation with a slowing economy. Two senators debate proposals to aid the economy, including a supplemental stimulus package… Continue watching
Feb 20 Watch Consumer Price Index Reports Unexpected Inflation Rise The Consumer Price Index, the Labor Department's yardstick of inflation, indicated greater inflation in January than had been anticipated. Paul Solman discusses how the CPI determines inflation and the meaning of this new report. Continue watching
Feb 20 Inflation Grew in Jan., Led by Food, Health Costs By PBS News Hour Inflation jumped by a bigger-than-expected amount in January, with large increases in the cost of food and health care, the government reported Wednesday. Continue reading
Feb 15 What is better, inflation or a recession? Question/Comment: I am a saver whose income is mostly CDs. We seem to be facing both a recession and inflation. Which of those two is better for me? I assume it is recession? Paul Solman: Neither is better for you… Continue reading
Feb 15 It’s been a long time since I took Econ. 101, but as I remember, if you keep printing ever-greater amounts of currency, inflation takes on a life of its own. Question/Comment: It’s been a long time since I took Econ. 101, but as I remember, if you keep printing ever-greater amounts of currency, inflation takes on a life of its own. Isn’t that what we’ve been doing at the rate… Continue reading
Jan 24 Watch Stimulus Plan Focuses on Rebate Checks, Incentives Congressional leaders and the White House reached an agreement Thursday for an economic stimulus package that would include rebate checks for millions of taxpayers and incentives for businesses to invest in new capital. A panel of economic experts examines how… Continue watching
Jan 23 Watch Market Turmoil Highlights China’s Impact on U.S. Economy Global stocks largely rebounded on Tuesday after concerns over a weakened U.S. economy sent international markets tumbling. Jim Fallows of the Atlantic Monthly discusses how China's lending and asset buying impact the U.S. markets and economic stability. Continue watching
Jan 21 Watch Bernanke Put to Test as U.S. Economy Struggles Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has called for government action to revive the slowing U.S. economy, in a key test of his tenure as the head of the central bank. Two business reporters consider how Bernanke is responding to the… Continue watching
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
Oct 31 Watch Fed Makes Another Rate Cut to Boost Economy For the second time in two months, the Federal Reserve cut key interest rates Wednesday. A financial analyst describes what the Fed's decision may mean for the American economy. Continue watching