At the start of the week, Jeff Immelt, the CEO of GE and the head of President Obama’s task force on job creation, released an interim report on plans to boost employment in the U.S. The reactions have been relatively …
The Coming Wave of Non-Credit Cards
We predicted that more major financial institutions would launch prepaid debit cards in response to the combination of increased regulation and a ballooning number of people who can’t get a credit or debit card. American Express …
Top 5 Ways to Kill the U.S. Recovery
They say heartbreak is optimism’s best cure. Not so in this economy. After a slew of painful economic data out over the past few weeks, it’s hard to find an economist who isn’t annoyingly upbeat.
Take the latest Wall Street Journal economic forecasting survey: Economists put the chances of a double-dip recession in the next year …
Top 10 Diesel Vehicles
If you’re considering making the switch the diesel, here are 10 of the best diesel autos that have demonstrated impressive fuel efficiency improvements along with a quiet performance.
Cars Should Be Getting Cheaper — Even Fuel-Efficient Used Models
May was an expensive time to buy a car — pretty much any car, but new and used fuel-efficient vehicles in particular. Now that gas prices have settled down, and auto dealers look to ramp up sales, car buyers can expect more …
Why Wendy’s Can’t Stomach Any More Arby’s
Where’s the beef? It’s not at Wendy’s/Arby’s Group any more. Private equity firm Roark Capital Group is going to buy Arby’s, the poorer performing part of Wendy’s, for $130 million plus debt and other considerations, an aggregate valuation of $430 million. I know what you’re thinking: has the buyer ever actually eaten at …
Even Jiffy Lube Now Says You Don’t Need an Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles
Today, automakers are more likely to recommend that owners of new cars need to change the oil in their vehicles every 5,000, or even 10,000 miles. So why do some quickie lube service station keep pushing the one-size-fits-all …
Be Skeptical of Colleges Providing Student Loan Assistance
USA Today reports on a popular new trend among pricey private colleges looking to compete with more affordable public colleges: promises to help students repay their loans.
China’s Hot New Export: Financial Fraud
Stock and accounting fraud are nothing new. And yes, we have plenty of home-grown frauds. (Remember Enron?) But so far this year, the vast majority of stock fraud seems to be coming to American investors by way of China.
Is Greece the Next Lehman?
We can all remember the sudden collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, the official launch of the last financial crisis. Panicked investors dumped stocks and bonds around the globe in a desperate flight to cash and …
Retail Sales: No Reason to Celebrate
Americans bought less stuff in May, but more than most people thought. That’s left markets perky, but we’re not in the clear yet.
The Commerce Department reported U.S. retail sales fell last month by 0.2%, their first drop in almost a year after ticking up 0.3% in April. The good news is the drop wasn’t as bad as economists predicted, …
It’s a Deal: 50% Off Everything, $25 Bonus at Jos. A. Bank
Here’s another great deal with perfect timing for Father’s Day: Through Tuesday, June 14, all men’s apparel at Jos. A. Bank, and there’s an additional discount of $25 for every $125 spent on regular or sale price merchandise.