Category Archives: Consumers

Jobs Report—Not Yet Full Employment

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The unemployment rate rose slightly to 5 percent for the first time since April, the government said Friday, though that was mainly because 444,000 people entered the labor force. There are still too many unemployed, in other … Continue reading →

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Motor Vehicle Sales Boost Retail, Manufacturing

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs One of the first hard indications on the September economy is strongly positive as overall unit vehicle sales surged 4.7 percent to a 17.7 million annualized rate. This will boost the vehicle component of the September retail sales … Continue reading →

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Holiday Cheers–Consumers Feel Happier!

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly It’s back to school time, and consumers are feeling the holiday spirit already. Americans in September were most optimistic about the economy since the summer of 2007, in part because of a happier view of the U.S. … Continue reading →

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When Will (Housing) Selling Season End?

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner It’s already October and the housing market continues to boom—even after the kids are back in school, the usual end of the sales season. Sales of newly-constructed homes dropped 7.6 percent in August, though they beat forecasts. … Continue reading →

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Why Isn’t It Easier to Qualify For A Mortgage?

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner It’s not getting any easier to obtain a mortgage. This is in spite of record low mortgage rates, as low as 3.0 percent for 30-year conforming fixed rates; as well as the appearance of so-called Alt-A, non-QM … Continue reading →

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A Half-Full Jobs Report

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Nonfarm payrolls rose a lower-than-expected 151,000 in August with revisions to July and June at a net minus 1,000, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I would call this a half-full employment report in an economy that is … Continue reading →

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US Consumers Are Happy Again

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly US consumers are feeling good, with higher confidence and rising wages pushing demand for housing and consumer spending. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose a huge 4.4 points to 101.3 in August. It has been hovering … Continue reading →

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The Fed Can’t Really Grow US Economy

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Most eyes are watching Janet Yellen and the Fed’s Jackson Hole conference, where she hinted at a possible raise in short term rates this September. Higher rates are really not needed. Nothing she says in Jackson Hole … Continue reading →

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Home Sales Soar

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner It’s finally happened. Housing is now leading this 7-year recovery—finally. It’s taken a long time for those wanting to form new households to leave their parents, or school, or even pay down their education loans sufficiently to … Continue reading →

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Much More Housing Needed

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner There’s an exception to the current low inflation prognostications echoed in my column by the San Francisco Fed Prez John Williams. It’s in housing, which is struggling to meet the surging demand for both new homes and … Continue reading →

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