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.
Economy
On the Great Lakes, a Dry Summer Slows a Recovering Shipping Industry
Low water levels on the Mississippi River, which have snarled cargo traffic and completely halted hundreds of barges at a time, got most of the media attention during this year’s arid summer. But the weird weather is also having …
Are We Already in A Recession?
New data give support to those who believe the U.S. economy is already contracting.
Why the Euro Crisis Is Nowhere Near Being Over
Bailouts and easy money won’t be able to resolve the structural problems of the euro zone, and increasing austerity won’t fix things either.
How Bad Is America’s Pension Funding Problem?
Unfunded liabilities in pension funds are just as onerous as other kinds of debt. Such liabilities now total more than $2.5 trillion and are growing at a rapid pace.
Clinton Global Initiative: Can Companies Be Good and Do Well?
When it comes to determining the best approaches to solving the world’s economic and social ills, rational people can, and do, disagree. But there’s one point on which something approaching unanimity has emerged: That private …
When Central Bankers Attack: Why Ben and Company Can’t Save the Global Economy
New action by central banks around the world has cheered markets, but the boost will only be temporary
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 …
Five Reasons It Could Be the Opportunity of a Lifetime to Buy a House
It’s cheaper to buy than rent in almost every major U.S. housing market, and over the long term home prices appear likely to rise substantially.
Ben Bernanke’s Heavy Artillery: Will Open-Ended Bond Buying Drive Down Unemployment?
Ben Bernanke and made an open-ended commitment yesterday to purchase mortgage-backed securities at a rate of $40 billion per month, aiming to inflate asset prices and pump fresh credit into the economy. The move answers critics …
More Relief for Euro as German Court Gives OK to Bailout Fund
Second important decision in the euro’s favor in less than a week sparks rally in stocks and on currency markets
Will the Stock Market Keep On Rising?
The forces that have boosted the prices of blue-chip stocks over the past year are diminishing, while other factors have become increasingly uncertain.