Category Archives: Macro Economics

IMF Report—Europe Is Becoming Japan

Financial FAQs The International Monetary Fund doesn’t want to say it outright, but its latest World Economic Outlook shows more stagnation of the European and Japanese economies, and the possibility of a third EU recession since 2008. Could the EU … Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Keynesian economics, Macro Economics, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Are the Real Takers?

Popular Economics Weekly We have been there before. The Census Bureau reported that the poverty rate fell in 2013, the first drop since 2006. It fell to 14.5 percent, down from 15 percent in 2013, but 45.3 million people are … Continue reading

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Keynesian economics, Macro Economics, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Keynesian economics, Macro Economics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Economy, Macro Economics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Macro Economics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Macro Economics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Macro Economics, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Macro Economics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Macro Economics, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Macro Economics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment