Mar 12 How Are Losses on Mortgage Derivatives Calculated? Question: If there is no way to currently value the mortgages on which the value of derivatives (collateralized mortgage obligations, etc.) depend, how are losses on those derivatives — such as AIG $62 billion… Continue reading
Jan 13 Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame Over Gas Shipments By PBS NewsHour Though Russia and Ukraine struck a deal that would restart the gas supply to Europe, it appears little gas is reaching European nations after a weeklong cutoff that has stirred tensions over the region's energy resources. Continue reading
Aug 15 How do speculators affect the price of crude oil? Question/Comment: I would like to understand how speculators affect the price of crude oil. I’d like to know who these people are (in general) and how they operate. Paul Solman: I’m on record on this page (and elsewhere)… Continue reading
Jul 18 Is there any way we can hedge against the energy and commodities as an individual investor? Question/Comment: As an individual investor/consumer, it’s really hard to adjust to sudden increases in gas and food prices. Is there any way we can hedge against the energy and commodities as an individual investor? Paul Solman: It might be a… Continue reading
Apr 15 Watch Proposed Delta-Northwest Merger Raises Questions for Airline Industry A proposed Delta-Northwest airline merger comes at a tumultuous time for an airline industry facing high fuel prices and questions over safety procedures. An airline analysts describes the possible implications of the mega-merger and whether consumers will benefit. 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
Nov 20 Watch Illicit Drug Trade Fuels Afghan Economy Officials say the drug trade in Afghanistan threatens efforts to create a strong central government and rebuild the country's economy, in a year when production of the poppy crop increased by 59 percent. ITN correspondent Alex Thomson reports on the… Continue watching