Category Archives: Consumers

Southland Home Sales Up, Foreclosures Down

The Mortgage Corner Southern California home sales rose sharply in October as move-up buyers joined investors, according to San Diego-based DataQuick, shifting the mix of homes selling upward as foreclosure resales hit a five-year low. Southern California’s real estate market … Continue reading →

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Next 4 Years—Back to the Future

Financial FAQs President Obama’s victory means it’s Back to the Future for economic as well as social policies. It means he now has the mandate to implement what the electorate chose him for—a functioning government to not only fix disasters … Continue reading →

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It’s the Consumers Turn

Popular Economics Weekly We know that consumers will continue to push economic growth this fall and winter for several reasons. Firstly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly JOLTS report showed 3.6 million job openings (yellow line), and more than 4 … Continue reading →

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More Jobs Equals Happier Consumers

Popular Economics Weekly It is not secret by now that whoever convinces the majority they are the best jobs creator will win the Presidential election. Today’s 171,000 payroll increase with upward revisions for the past 2 months may tilt things … Continue reading →

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Two Percent Growth Isn’t ‘New’ Normal

Popular Economics Weekly There are many ways to look at the “weak” 2 percent growth numbers for Q3, though just the ‘Advance Estimate’ and so subject to at least 2 more revisions. But such weak growth isn’t due to excessive … Continue reading →

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U.S. Economy Is In Recovery

Popular Economics Weekly I mentioned last week that the U.S. economy is now growing faster than the rest of the developed world. How can that be, you say, with all the election propaganda saying the recovery has been a failure?  … Continue reading →

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Housing Construction, Retail Sales Surge

The Mortgage Corner Another sign that the economy is finally recovering—new housing starts surged 15 percent, to their highest levels since 2008 and the beginning of the Great Recession. This is boosting construction employment in particular, but also finance, insurance … Continue reading →

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Consumers Back on Track?

Financial FAQs The one sector of the economy that can revive growth—consumers—look to finally believe the Great Recession is over. Consumer sentiment unexpectedly rose to its highest in five years in October as consumers became more optimistic about the economy … Continue reading →

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Consumers In Holiday Mood

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are going to celebrate the holidays in a much bigger way than in recent years. Not only have consumer confidence and expectations been rising since summer, but consumer borrowing is exploding, signaling that we will see … Continue reading →

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Jobs Picture Much Better Than Forecast

Popular Economics Weekly The Bureau of Labor Statistics gave markets a shot of good news recently, when it revised the one year March-to-March 2012 jobs totals upward by 32,000 per month. This was huge and showed much better jobs growth … Continue reading →

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