While the economy has been in recovery mode for the past several years, many groups have been said to be “left behind” — like essentially the entire middle class.
Economic Indicators
Fewer Americans Will Work: What That Means for the Economy
With last year’s presidential election so focused on jobs and the economy, the American public probably knows more about the nuances of the unemployment rate than they ever have before. One particular of the official unemployment rate that received attention last year is that the Labor Department counts someone as unemployed only if he …
Supersizing Strikes Back: Homes and TVs Get Bigger, Sales of Yachts, RVs, Trucks Rise
After years of downsizing and making do, American consumers are going big once again.
July 4 Fireworks Spending Explodes Thanks to Wetter Weather Around U.S.
Want a sign the economy is heading in a better direction this summer? Americans says they’ll spend 60% more than last year on travel, BBQs and fireworks this July 4.
According to Visa’s annual Independence Day spending …
No, the Fed’s Buying Spree Doesn’t Have to End in Tears
After a jittery few days of trading, the markets stabilized a bit on Monday, though most economists are predicting a summer of volatility thanks to the Fed’s decision last week to announce that it would begin to “taper” its $85 …
Market Reality Check
The market craziness continues, with stocks down, commodities crashing, and bond yields rising. As usual during such periods, wild theories about what’s happening abound: The U.S. recovery is a mirage; China is having a Lehman Brothers-style meltdown; etc.
Bernanke Says Little, Market Plummets: Welcome to the Post-QE Economy
What a strange world we are living in when Ben Bernanke holds a press conference to say that he’s essentially going to do nothing, and the markets go down 200 points. That was the story last night after the Fed announced it …
The Mystery of the Incredible Shrinking Budget Deficit
The Obama Administration is having pretty much the worst week ever, but somewhere amidst the fog of scandal lies some pretty good news about the budget deficit, namely that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is predicting it will be much smaller in 2013 than was projected just a few months ago.
That’s right, the federal budget …
This Housing Upturn Looks Like the Real Thing
The previous upturn in housing prices faltered after a year, but all the signs suggest that the current home price recovery will be sustainable.
Casino Revenues Are Up in 2012 – Thanks in Part to Gambling in Kansas
We’re gambling almost as much as we were before the recession, and the biggest growth comes from an unlikely state.
The Splurge Surge: Luxury Spending on the Rise
Wealthy Americans don’t really think that good times are here again for the economy. But they’re going on shopping sprees anyway, with increasing sales seen for luxury hotel stays, high-end automobiles, and more.
Is the Price of Gold Signaling an Economic Slowdown?
Gold and other commodities seem to be signaling that the U.S. economy is sluggish and will get weaker still.