Whatever the budget deal, it probably won’t be able to prevent sluggish growth and the risk of rising inflation.
The Economy
Where in the World is Con Ed?
Taking two weeks to restore power is unconscionable. It’s also part of a troublesome trend of more and longer outages that point up major flaws in our national power grid. How long before we bury the power lines?
Why Retirees Can’t Absorb a Tax Hike
With the election upon us and the fiscal cliff looming, tax rates are on a lot of minds–especially retirees and those saving for retirement. A new survey shows how higher rates would curb retirement saving.
Sandy Bump? Where Business Is Brisk After the Storm
No one should anticipate that a “Sandy stimulus” will kick the economy into a higher gear. Even so, Sandy has caused businesses of all shapes and sizes to be exceptionally busy — including a few you wouldn’t expect.
Brand Names Just Don’t Mean as Much Anymore
No matter if we’re talking about cereal, cough syrup or batteries, products featuring nationally recognized name brands tend to cost more than their generic store-brand counterparts. But the assumption that higher price means …
Money Talking: How to Decipher the Bipolar Economy
Consumers are confident, but corporations aren’t. What will it mean for the markets? And, what does the sex abuse scandal at the BBC tell us about the ability of big institutions to govern themselves? For this and more, tune into this week’s episode of WNYC’s Money Talking, with TIME’s Rana Foroohar and Joe Nocera of The New York Times.
The U.S. Economy’s Split Personality
Is the U.S. economy becoming bipolar? That’s what it seems like if you contrast the behavior of consumers versus corporations lately. Individual shoppers have been as bullish as they have been in years. With stocks relatively high, personal finances in better shape, and the housing market in recovery, American consumers have finally …
Is the U.S. Waging a War on Savers?
Government policies that discourage saving are one of the chief reasons that so many Americans fail to put money away regularly.
Can We Handle the Truth? Public Pensions Are Short on Cash
We are in trying times for sure when the good news about public pensions is that an independent study confirms a huge funding shortfall–and it’s greeted with applause because at least pension managers haven’t been hiding it.
Nantucket Project: Small Island, Big Ideas for Fixing Our Economic Future
Prominent thinkers at this year’s Nantucket Project worried about flagging innovation and corruption in government. But they’re also developing technology that lets kids teach themselves to read and entrepreneurs to move …
Pumpkin Prices Higher as Crop Successfully Endures Drought
Last year’s flooding throughout the Midwest pushed prices of some pumpkins 60% higher around the U.S. This year, widespread drought is causing prices to edge up once more because of several regional shortages. But this time, …
The Secret Life of a Government Inflation Agent
The next time you’re at the mall, the supermarket, or perhaps even a used car lot, you might run across a shopper meticulously taking note of the prices of everything from Red Delicious apples to women’s undergarments. This …
