Dec 10 What is Free Trade? Question/Comment: What is free trade? I know the simple answer, no tariffs. But if a government subsidizes the production of a product or provides subsidies to farmers isn’t this interfering with the intent of the process? Paul Solman: Free trade… Continue reading
Dec 05 The Economy, Your Pocketbook and the Recession Paul Solman: Forgive me for not responding to questions for a few days, but among other things, I’ve been trying to analyze the results of poll posted here recently: How is the Economy Affecting Your Pocketbook? Click on “Comments”… Continue reading
Nov 14 Watch Global Leaders Search for Financial Reforms at G-20 Summit Hoping to rein in the global financial crisis, leaders are convening to hammer out plans to help their ailing markets and economies. Experts assess the challenges they will face in trying to reach meaningful agreements. Continue watching
Nov 10 Watch China’s Stimulus Package Aims to Boost Economy, Help Avoid Global Recession Asian and European stocks rose Monday on news of China's $586 billion stimulus plan that aims to restore investors' confidence and shore up markets over the next two years, while sending a message of resolve and financial stability to foreign… 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 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 Watch Global Markets Soar on Likely Fed Interest Rate Cut After a steady slump in world trading, global markets surged Tuesday after expectations of a likely Federal Reserve interest rate cut and the Treasury's move to inject capital boosted investors' confidence. A Business Week editor probes the reasons behind the… Continue watching
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 World Markets Slide as Yen Skyrockets By PBS News Hour A worldwide slide in markets continued Monday on fears that governments' efforts to stabilize the volatile global economy will not be able enough to prevent a global recession. Continue reading
Oct 22 Watch Global Recession Fears Send Markets Tumbling Stock markets fell Wednesday on news of weak corporate earnings and continued fears of a global recession. Economic analysts and reporters discuss the market's fall and the worldwide impact of the financial crisis. Continue watching