Category Archives: COVID-19

No More Recession Worries?

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Real Earnings Still Shrinking

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Fourth Quarter Showing Stronger Growth

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Housing, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Fed’s Inflation Target Too Low

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

No More Inflation Worries?

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Job Market Defies the Fed

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Is Job Market Still Too Hot?

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

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Keynesian economics, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

To A Happier New Year!

Popular Economics Weekly AtlantaGDPNow Will US economic growth fall off a cliff in January? Maybe not. The Atlanta Federal Reserves’ GDPNow estimate has just raised their estimate of fourth quarter GDP growth to 3.7 percent and it was right on … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Keynesian economics, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

US Economy Still Surging

Popular Economics Weekly BEA.gov Surprise, surprise. Third quarter GDP growth was revised upward in the government’s third estimate. How can we be thinking of a recession next year? Oh yes, because it increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment

Housing Market Swoons

The Mortgage Corner Confidence among U.S. single-family home builders fell for a record 12th straight month in December as even a scramble to offer incentives for prospective buyers failed to boost traffic and lift sales in today’s high-inflation, high-interest rate … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, COVID-19, Economy, Housing, housing market, Weekly Financial News | Leave a comment