Category Archives: Politics

Consumer Confidence Highest In 16 Years

Posted on March 28, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

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 →

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

A Greater Lawlessness—Self Interest vs. The Common Interest

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Are we at the beginning of an era of Greater Lawlessness, or nearing the end, with the greatest law breaking we may have seen in our lifetime? And are we at the beginning or end of the … Continue reading →

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

New Home Sales Surge

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner New home sales shot 6.1 percent higher in February to a 592,000 annualized rate that easily beats the Econoday consensus for 565,000 and is near the top estimate of 600,000. Sales seemed to have a boost from … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Leading Indicators Signal Strong Growth Ahead, If…

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The Republican Congress needs to abandon its obsession with repealing Obamacare, since Republicans will never agree on a replacement, and many Senate Republicans have just announced they oppose the current Republican House Trumpcare proposal. Instead they need … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Strong Jobs Report = Rising Interest Rates

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Economists are almost unanimous that the Fed will raise their short term rates at next week’s FOMC meeting. This is because total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 235,000 in February, and the unemployment rate fell slightly to … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Gangbusters Jobs Report Tomorrow?

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs It looks like tomorrow’s unemployment report could be the best of the New Year.  That’s because ADP’s February private payroll estimate is 298,000, a yuge number. This would make tomorrow’s jobs report the biggest gain since October 2015 … Continue reading →

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

Slower Q4 Growth, (But) Higher Consumer Confidence

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The growth in the U.S. economy in the final quarter of Barack Obama’s presidency was left at 1.9 percent, held down by a bigger trade deficit even as consumer spending rebounded strongly. In fact, Q4 GDP growth slowed … Continue reading →

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

Higher New Home Sales, Mortgage Lending

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner We wrote last week about unusually restrictive mortgage standards for conforming stalwarts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are still wards of the US Treasury. Now we’ve learned that they are still doing almost record loan volumes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumers, Economy, Housing, housing market, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home Sales Reach 10-year High

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Existing-home sales ran at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.69 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. That was 3.3 percent above an upwardly-revised 5.51 million in December and 3.8 percent higher than a year ago. … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, housing market, Politics, Weekly Financial News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s Make America More Equal Again!

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Popular Economics Weekly

  Popular Economics Weekly As defeated Democrats mull over what slogan can equal or overcome President Trump’s “Make America Great Again”, I have a suggestion, one that might even enthuse populist Republicans. Let’s make American more equal again, just as … Continue reading →

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