Category Archives: Politics

Why Isn’t It Easier to Qualify For A Mortgage?

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner It’s not getting any easier to obtain a mortgage. This is in spite of record low mortgage rates, as low as 3.0 percent for 30-year conforming fixed rates; as well as the appearance of so-called Alt-A, non-QM … Continue reading →

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A Record In Job Openings

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Not only are Nonfarm payrolls averaging some 200,000 jobs per month this year, but the Labor Department’s job openings and labor turnover survey showed 5.87 million openings, an all-time high, while hires increased to 5.23 million from 5.17 … Continue reading →

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A Half-Full Jobs Report

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Nonfarm payrolls rose a lower-than-expected 151,000 in August with revisions to July and June at a net minus 1,000, reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I would call this a half-full employment report in an economy that is … Continue reading →

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US Consumers Are Happy Again

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly US consumers are feeling good, with higher confidence and rising wages pushing demand for housing and consumer spending. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose a huge 4.4 points to 101.3 in August. It has been hovering … Continue reading →

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The Fed Can’t Really Grow US Economy

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Most eyes are watching Janet Yellen and the Fed’s Jackson Hole conference, where she hinted at a possible raise in short term rates this September. Higher rates are really not needed. Nothing she says in Jackson Hole … Continue reading →

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Much More Housing Needed

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner There’s an exception to the current low inflation prognostications echoed in my column by the San Francisco Fed Prez John Williams. It’s in housing, which is struggling to meet the surging demand for both new homes and … Continue reading →

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No More Inflation?

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly San Francisco Fed President John Williams has said something that most Central Bankers won’t say. He believes the current low inflation, low growth economy could continue indefinitely, if something isn’t done differently. He writes in the FRBSF’s … Continue reading →

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The Clinton Growth Presidency

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly It’s remarkable. Donald Trump chose Detroit to make his economic speech, where he accused the Clintons of causing Detroit’s employment problems with their trade policies. Is he kidding? The Detroit Big Three automakers didn’t lose jobs because … Continue reading →

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255,000 Jobs Added, Economy Still Growing

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 255,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent, said the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today. This confirms earlier reports from the manufacturing and service sectors that economic … Continue reading →

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GDP Growth Still Below Average

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly There is a reason second quarter Gross Domestic Product growth was so weak—up just 1.2 percent, after 0.9 and 0.8 percent upticks in the last 2 quarters. Pundits attributed it to the lack of capital expenditures, whereas … Continue reading →

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