prices

More on Our Correction to Friday’s Segment

Paul Solman: There’s more to add to our earlier correction to Friday’s segment: We have heard from Social Security and it is indeed the case that benefits do NOT go…

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.

Why Is the Cost of Gasoline Increasing?

Question: With U.S. oil stocks high and refiners at a low production rate, why is the cost of gasoline increasing at such a high rate? It makes you think that there is more to it than supply and demand.

Is the Auto Crisis Just a Lack of Demand?

Question: I don’t understand the auto industry crisis. I infer that it is because we’re in a recession, and not many people are buying cars. Is that all of it, or is there something more? Paul Solman: Are you talking…

Why Is Deflation Bad?

Question: Why is deflation so bad? I have certainly benefited from the drop in gas prices, so I wonder what is wrong with things becoming cheaper in general? And wouldn’t that make up for previous inflation? Paul Solman: Another good…

With the Economic Downturn and Wages Stagnant, What Economic Rationale Prevails for Increasing Prices?

Question/Comment: In the New York Times recently, it was stated that there has been a drop in consumer prices. Here is NYC I have found that prices have risen. For example, a half gallon…

I’m Not Sure It’s My Responsibility to Go Out and Shop to Keep Businesses Afloat.

By Business Desk

Question/Comment: It seems to me there’s been a shift in market thinking in the recent past. I’m not sure that it’s my responsibility to go out and shop to keep businesses afloat; I always thought that it was business’ responsibility…

OPEC Agrees to Record Output Cut to Combat Falling Oil Prices

By Admin, PBS News Hour

Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four years Wednesday, despite news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to a larger-than-expected oil production cut of 2.2 million barrels per day.

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,…

Global Food Prices Dubbed a ‘Silent Tsunami’

By PBS News Hour

The global food shortage and soaring cost of staple foods is a "silent tsunami," the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday, before a food summit hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the growing crisis.