On Oct. 5, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the official unemployment rate had dropped from 8.1% to 7.8% — a surprisingly sharp decline given the slow pace of growth in the U.S. economy. The reaction from many on …
Economic Indicators
Why the Falling U.S. Birth Rates Are So Troubling
We’re becoming Europe. At least, that’s what a long line of U.S. birth-rate figures seems to being telling us. And that’s bad news for the future of the country.
Are We Already in A Recession?
New data give support to those who believe the U.S. economy is already contracting.
Home Sales, Prices Rise: Is Housing Finally Ready to Lead a Recovery?
During each of the previous three recessions, the American economy was powered back to full strength largely on the back of the housing market. There are many ways in which this recession and recovery are unique, but the lack of …
New Jobs Figures Are Bad News for Obama
It wasn’t what the Obama Administration wanted to hear. The new employment figures out this morning show that the U.S. economy created a mere 96,000 jobs in August, far fewer than the 130,000 that most economists were …
Money Talking: Has the Fed Run out of Tools?
Does the Fed have any weapons still left in it’s arsenal to help the economy? How much will the drought drive up food prices this year? For thoughts on this, as well as how much steam the U.S. Manufacturing boom still has left, check out WNYC’s Money Talking with myself and Joe Nocera.
Every American Is Experiencing a Different Economy
You don’t have a real economic recovery until the majority of Americans are participating — and right now they aren’t
U.S. Economy Adds Just 80,000 Jobs in June
The Labor Department released its monthly Employment Situation Report this morning, announcing that the economy added 80,000 new jobs in June – slightly less than what economists were predicting, and far too small a number to …
Has the European Slowdown Finally Hit the U.S.?
Many Americans are using the July 4 holiday as an opportunity to get away for the week, and there’s no better time to hide from dour headlines blanketing the financial press. Unemployment has hit a new record high in Europe, …
Can the Economy Get Healthy Without a Housing Recovery?
This spring has been filled with disappointing economic news, but one bright spot has been the possible bottoming out of the housing market. The conventional wisdom is that a stable housing market is important not only because …
Beware the Bond Bubble
Few investors in these troubled times would dream of expecting double digit returns.
Money Talking: What Matters More to Voters, Gas Prices or Jobs?
A lot of people say gas prices will affect the election. But, in fact, the unemployment rate is a lot more important as a political predictor. New York Times columnist Joe Nocera and I examine the connection between economics and elections — as well as how lousy we all are at predicting risk, and the top financial news of the week — on …