Category Archives: Economy

Signs of Jobs Surge in 2013

Popular Economics Weekly There are signs the jobs picture will be much improved in 2013, even thought the March unemployment report was disappointing.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in the just released Job Openings and Labor Turnover … Continue reading

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Saving Fannie and Freddie Mac

The Mortgage Corner Fannie Mae (FNMA), or Federal National Mortgage Association, reported a record profit for 2012, a good reason to save the mortgage giant from dissolution, as the banking industry in particular has lobbied for. The government-sponsored enterprise had … Continue reading

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David Stockman’s Crony Capitalism

Popular Economics Weekly Paul Krugman is being too gentle with David Stockman, whose recent New York Times ‘rant’ glorifies the gold standard and denigrates government for standing in the way of putting “free markets and genuine wealth creation back into … Continue reading

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Higher Home Prices Driving Construction

The Mortgage Corner CoreLogic just reported home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 10.2 percent on a year-over-year basis in February 2013 over February 2012. And it is boosting construction, as for sale inventories are barely increasing in the new … Continue reading

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The Decline of the West

Popular Economics Weekly Berkeley Prof Brad Delong has posted a very sobering essay on his website. Because the deficit hawks and austerity advocates now hold sway in both Europe and North America, we could be in for a very prolonged … Continue reading

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2013 Home Prices Soaring

The Mortgage Corner Housing prices are soaring, with both the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index 3-month average (for November, December and January) and FHFA conforming loan indexes accelerating. Mortgage delinquencies also continue to decline, which should help depleted inventories. The … Continue reading

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What Inflation?

Financial FAQs We have seen this before during past budget battles. How much spending is necessary to create future economic growth, and jobs? A corollary is whether the Federal Reserve’s current easy credit policy will create runaway future inflation with … Continue reading

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Spring Housing Inventories Too Low

The Mortgage Corner The spring home buying season is already here, reports Realtor.com. In February, the total number of single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops for sale in the U.S. (1,494,218) increased by 1.15 percent month-over-month. On an annual basis, … Continue reading

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Higher Retail Sales Point to Consumer Health

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are buying more, a reflection of improving incomes and the jobs market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday … Continue reading

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Ryan’s 19th Century Budget Plan

Financial FAQs Republican Paul Ryan’s 2011 budget plan is being trotted out by House Republicans once again. In spite of the sequester cuts and a declining budget deficit, Ryan wants to create even more economic austerity. Representative Ryan and House … Continue reading

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