Category Archives: Consumers

Which Deficit is Most Important?

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly All the talk of budget deficits really focuses on the wrong deficit. It is the output deficit of goods and services lost because of the Great Recession that is most important, not the state and federal budget … Continue reading →

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Why Such a Mortgage Mess?

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner What is causing the mortgage ‘mess’ to continue, in this case the controversy over ownership of mortgages that is embroiling Wall St. and Washington? Much of it is exaggerated by the media and attorneys for the plaintiffs … Continue reading →

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QE2 Will Stimulate Economic Growth

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly In a bid to stimulate banks to lend more by increasing their reserves, the Federal Reserve announced QE2 (Quantitative Easing 2). It will be buying up to $600 billion in Treasury securities from banks who hold them. … Continue reading →

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Rock Bottom Mortgage Rates Increase Sales

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs It seems that the lowest mortgage rates since the 1950s are making a difference. New-home sales rose 6 percent and existing-home sales increased 10 percent in September, “affirming that a sales recovery has begun”, said the National Association … Continue reading →

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Zero Inflation Won’t Help Economy Grow

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke in his most recent speech said that more Quantitative Easing may be necessary, in order to comply with the Fed’s longer-run sustainable rate of unemployment and the mandate-consistent inflation rate. The longer-run sustainable rate … Continue reading →

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What is the ‘New Normal’?

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly There has been much talk of late about the “new normal” of slower economic growth that we may see in coming decades. It is defined by bond trader PIMCO’s Bill Gross as what he calls declining global … Continue reading →

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What is the ‘New Normal’—Part II?

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is sounding more optimistic these days. What is behind his optimism that seems to counteract the “New Normal” predictions of bond traders such as PIMCO and other fiscal conservatives who fear massive debts … Continue reading →

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Is Pent-up Demand Growing?

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs We are now hearing that pent up demand is growing as the economic recovery takes its time. What is it, and what would it mean for an earlier recovery? Fed Chairman Bernanke mentioned that ‘demand’ could grow in … Continue reading →

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Where is Harry Truman—Part II?

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly What is the case for not providing more additional stimulus spending to boost economic growth? Harvard Econ Prof Gregory Mankiw, former Bush White House economic advisor, gave this rather bizarre prediction for the future behavior of employers … Continue reading →

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Housing Affordability Still Improving

Posted on June 27, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner A very pessimistic Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies’ 2010 annual report says with the job market in dire straits, household incomes declining and foreclosures dragging down home values, the housing market may take years to … Continue reading →

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