Category Archives: Macro Economics

Retail Sales Much Stronger?

Financial FAQs The jump in retail sales was huge, plus upward revisions to past months that made more sense with other indicators of a growing economy. It seems the consumer can afford to spend more with lower debt levels and … Continue reading

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Labor’s Day Not Celebrated?

Financial FAQs It looked like August’s unemployment report would celebrate this year’s Labor Day in a big way. We know it because most employment indicators point to many more jobs this year that also pay more. Starting with the August … Continue reading

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Consumer Confidence Surging, Why Not Spending?

Popular Economics Weekly Consumer confidence is up led by strength in the current assessment, which points to gains for consumer readings in August. But why aren’t consumers spending more, if so? Auto sales are up, but retail sales overall are … Continue reading

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Leading Indicators, Housing, Show More Growth Ahead

Financial FAQs It looks like the US economy is kicking into high gear from its winter slump, as the Conference Board’s just released July Index of Leading Indicators (LEI) jumped 0.9 percent, the highest it’s been this year. It is … Continue reading

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Where is the Inflation?

Financial FAQs Stocks and bonds are rallying, as it looks like inflation is still falling, rather than rising. This is good news for investors, but prices aren’t rising enough to boost economic growth yet. Boosting inflation seems to be the … Continue reading

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Consumers Healthier with Lower Household Debt

Popular Economics Weekly Household debt continues to decline, which will free more disposable income for consumers, which should be a sign that consumer spending, the main driver of economic growth, will continue to grow. That has to be why Q2 … Continue reading

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More Jobs–What About Incomes?

Popular Economics Weekly The U.S. in July added 209,000 jobs last month outside the farm sector, the Labor Department said Friday. Although hiring tapered off after a 298,000 gain in June, the U.S. has generated at least 200,000 jobs in … Continue reading

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Consumer Confidence In A ‘Goldilocks’ Economy

Popular Economics Weekly Once upon a time, the U.S. was considered to have a “Goldilocks” economy that was neither too hot nor too cold; where inflation was moderate, yet there was full employment. This last happened in the late 1990s … Continue reading

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Don’t Forget the Millennials!

Popular Economics Weekly Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s current congressional testimony is saying the Fed could keep rates low for a long time to come. Why? Because unemployment is still too high, and economic growth too slow at present. The CBO … Continue reading

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We Need Some Inflation!

Financial FAQs How much inflation is too much inflation? Germany thinks any inflation is too much, based on their 1920s inflation experience when burning money for fuel was cheaper than burning wood. It has led to the EU’s draconian austerity … Continue reading

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