Category Archives: Consumers

Let’s Make America More Equal Again!

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

  Popular Economics Weekly As defeated Democrats mull over what slogan can equal or overcome President Trump’s “Make America Great Again”, I have a suggestion, one that might even enthuse populist Republicans. Let’s make American more equal again, just as … Continue reading →

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Surging Construction Sector Aids Home Sales

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Construction payrolls were a positive surprise of the January employment report, rising 36,000 for the best gain since March. Construction was soft through most of last year though it did pick up at year end. And this … Continue reading →

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Homeland Security Obeys Court Order to lift Trump Travel Ban

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly It is a well-known fact that the US has had a history of labor shortages, dating from the Revolutionary War. Colonial America was defined by a severe labor shortage that employed forms of unfree labor such as … Continue reading →

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A Yuge Jobs Gain Today

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The U.S. created 227,000 new jobs in January to mark the largest gain in four months, revealing an economy that has plenty of stamina nearly eight years into a recovery that shows little sign of ending. Retailers, … Continue reading →

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Private Payrolls, Consumer Confidence Signal Strong January

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly ADP is calling for substantial strength in Friday’s employment report, showing yesterday 246,000 for private payrolls, not including government jobs. This is far beyond expectations and would compare with December private payroll growth in the government’s report … Continue reading →

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Q4 GDP Slightly Lower—How About 2017?

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product growth slowed, mostly because of the strong dollar and weak foreign demand. But consumers held up their end with higher consumer sentiments, and businesses also began to invest in new plants and equipment … Continue reading →

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Has Inflation Returned?

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Inflation is here! says Econoday, per last week’s CPI report; at 2.1 percent for total consumer prices (columns in graph) and 2.2 percent for the core rate (red line). Two percent is generally considered the target rate for … Continue reading →

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Housing Starts Surge With Builder Optimism

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner A surge in multifamily production resulted in overall nationwide housing starts rising 11.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.23 million units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban … Continue reading →

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Strong Retail Sales, Job Growth in 2017?

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The prospects for 2017 growth are confusing, to say the least. For instance, will Prez-Elect Trump initiate multiple trade wars by pushing through tariffs on foreign imports to bring manufacturing jobs home to the U.S.? And/or will this … Continue reading →

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Who Killed Our Middle Class?

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly It’s becoming clear that our Middle Class—the midsection of U.S. earners and consumers—has shrunk alarmingly. And this is the main reason for the political polarization today that in the words of journalist Christopher Hedges, has driven the … Continue reading →

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