Nov 13 New Jobless Claims Nearly Hit Post-Sept. 11 Level By PBS News Hour After skyrocketing in recent months, the number of newly laid-off U.S. workers seeking unemployment benefits jumped last week to the highest level since just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Continue reading
Nov 05 My conservative friends are convinced that this economic mess is the result of changes to Fannie and Freddie’s lending policies forced on them by the Democrats. Question/Comment: My conservative friends are convinced that this economic mess is the result of changes to Fannie and Freddie’s lending policies forced on them by the Democrats. My own theory identifies our chronic balance of payments as the chief culprit. Continue reading
Oct 30 Watch Consumers Trim Spending in New Sign of Economic Downturn New data show that consumer spending fell 3.1 percent in the third quarter, its sharpest drop in 28 years. New York Times columnist David Leonhardt examines the latest numbers. Continue watching
Oct 24 Watch Multiple Economic Factors Driving Fears of Global Recession U.S. and global markets endured another tough day Friday as fears intensified of a global recession. Financial experts examine the factors driving the recession speculation and possible solutions to the crisis. Continue watching
Oct 15 If the stock markets of the world all drop 10-20 percent simultaneously, are we as Americans significantly worse off? Question/Comment: Would you please clarify something for me that I am struggling to understand? If the stock markets of the world all drop 10-20 percent simultaneously, are we as Americans, or any other nationality, significantly worse off? If, relatively speaking,… Continue reading
Oct 09 A response as the markets close below 9,000 for the first time in five years. By Business Desk Paul Solman: This afternoon’s question comes from the steward of The Business Desk who wrote, moments ago: “I don’t know how you feel about this, but I thought maybe you could do another response to the day? The market just… Continue reading
Oct 08 Is there any way to protect the U.S. or world markets? Question/Comment: Your presentation last night was clear and lively. Thanks. My question is: Is there ANY way to protect the U.S. or world markets from individuals and/or huge companies who may be lurking… Continue reading
Oct 03 Should I move now whatever money I can to federally insured savings accounts? Question/Comment: I am 62, hoping to retire at 67. I have no debt and my money is invested (following the advice of a pricey financial adviser) in both equities and guaranteed income. I’ve lost a big chunk of dough in… Continue reading
Oct 02 Is this event the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics? Another email from an old friend: “Is this event the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics? Or even, as the press backs away from the hotness of the story, the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics crashing not with a… Continue reading
Sep 26 Is the American dream of home ownership and subsequently loaning money to unqualified home buyers a major cause of this crisis? Question/Comment: Lack of transparency and regulation appear to be at the heart of the current financial crisis. Didn’t the Senate Banking Committee and the Republicans attempt to ward this off with a reform bill in 2005? Is the American dream… Continue reading