Monthly Archives: January 2023

Beware of Consumers Losing Confidence

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Conference-Board.org The Federal Reserve is about to raise the overnight interest rate another quarter-percent to 4.5 percent that it charges banks, hence banks will pass on the increased rate to their borrowers. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise … Continue reading →

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No More Recession Worries?

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly BEA.gov The U.S. economy has done it again. The ‘advance’ estimate (1 of 3) of fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product growth of all things bought and sold domestically grew 2.9 percent, down slightly from 3.2 percent in … Continue reading →

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Real Earnings Still Shrinking

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Bls.govearnings The chorus is growing for the Fed to cease and desist from raising short-term interest rates any further that have raised the borrowing costs of ordinary folk who depend on credit cards and auto loans for most … Continue reading →

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Housing Market Swoon–Part II

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner CalculatedRisk Despite improved builder sentiments, privately‐owned housing starts were down in December at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,382,000. This is 1.4 percent below the revised November estimate of 1,401,000 and is 21.8 percent below the December … Continue reading →

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Fourth Quarter Showing Stronger Growth

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs AtlantaGDPNow What are we to make of a predicted jump in fourth quarter GDP growth? The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow prediction of Q4 growth was just increased to 3.5 percent and had been creeping upward as more positive economic … Continue reading →

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Fed’s Inflation Target Too Low

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs FREDhourlywages Why is the Federal Reserve enforcing a 2 percent inflation rate target? Such a monetary policy has meant Fed Governors have endangered economic growth by holding to a target rate that I believe is too low. Whatever … Continue reading →

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No More Inflation Worries?

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly FREDcpi The Fed seems to have done it, raising interest rates enough to break the back of the highest inflation rate in 40 years. But will it be enough to stop the Fed Governors from continuing to … Continue reading →

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Job Market Defies the Fed

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly MarketWatch All eyes are now on the Federal Reserve and Chairman Powell. Companies are daring Powell and his Governors to crimp their profits by threatening dire consequences (i.e., a recession) if they don’t slow down hiring at … Continue reading →

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Is Job Market Still Too Hot?

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs CalculatedRisk No matter how hard it tries, the Fed hasn’t been able to slow hiring in the hopes that it will bring down inflation—because corporations have record profits and are only beginning to lay off workers. But watch out … Continue reading →

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