Category Archives: Economy

Slow Q1 GDP Growth Means What?

Financial FAQs Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 0.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2016, real … Continue reading

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No “Art of the Deal” in 100 Days

Popular Economics Weekly It’s 100 days into the Trump Presidency and looking more and more like President Trump is no more effective at running the country than his business interests. His book, The Art of the Deal was meant to … Continue reading

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Why Is Mortgage Lending Still Restricted?

The Mortgage Corner We can thank the Great Recession for most of it. Banks have become much more conservative, and builders are building approximately 50 percent fewer residences vs. the 2 million housing units at the height of the housing … Continue reading

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Which Trump Economic Proposals Should Fail?

Popular Economics Weekly It doesn’t look good for two Trump and Republican campaign promises currently working their way through Congress: i.e., to repeal and replace Obamacare, and reform the tax code. They should really be working on what is possible; … Continue reading

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Is Happiness That Important to Americans?

Popular Economics Weekly What a strange question to ask Americans! We are the wealthiest country in the world, right? But a recent survey claims to show that wealth accumulation is not the first priority for most of the world. In … Continue reading

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Why the Weak March Employment Report?

The Mortgage Corner The good news is the unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, and number of unemployed persons (i.e., available for work) declined by 326,000 to 7.2 million. Both measures were improved numbers over the year. But just 98,000 … Continue reading

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Consumers Too Optimistic?….Then Watch Out Below!

Popular Economics Weekly Consumer confidence has risen to what might be unsustainable levels—the highest in 16 years. That was in 2000, which was at the end of a 10-year economic recovery, the longest recovery since WWII. The Conference Board’s index … Continue reading

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A Greater Lawlessness—On Tyranny

Financial FAQs Have we elected a tyrant as President? It’s hard to believe the clownish behavior and blatant lies of President Donald Trump could make him a tyrant, but author and history Professor Timothy Snyder says he has all the … Continue reading

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Job Claims Down, GDP Revised Up, And 2017?

Financial FAQs Initial weekly jobless claims for unemployment benefits, the best predictor of employment trends, continues downward, but with some upward blips of late that are probably due to still severe weather in the northeast (snow) and south (tornadoes). And … Continue reading

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Consumer Confidence Highest In 16 Years

Financial FAQs The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index soared to its highest level in 16 years. Its Consumer Confidence Index®, which had already increased in February, improved again in March. The Index now stands at 125.6 (1985=100), up from 116.1 … Continue reading

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