Category Archives: Weekly Financial News

When is Higher Inflation Good?

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs The short answer is that higher inflation comes from higher growth rates, and so when an economy expands faster, then prices should also rise faster. Otherwise companies’ profits don’t rise and they won’t want to expand their businesses … Continue reading →

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Will Housing Starts Pick Up?

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner “An uptick in single-family permits was probably the most important feature of a May residential construction report that was otherwise somewhat softer than our forecast,” says the research firm, Wrightson ICAP. Total housing starts fell 6 percent … Continue reading →

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Why Have a Higher Minimum Wage?

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The International Monetary Fund just came out with a depressing prognosis for US economic growth—2 percent this year, and maybe 3 percent next year? Why? A too bad winter, slowdown in the housing market, and stagnant wages. … Continue reading →

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Home Sizes Ballooning Again

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Housing sizes are ballooning, after a slight pause due to the Great Recession, reports the U.S. Census Bureau and Marketwatch. In 2013 the median floor area of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. rose 4 percent … Continue reading →

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What is Employment Like in 2014?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Jobless claims fell sharply in the May 24 week, down 27,000 to 300,000. The 4-week average is down a very sharp 11,250 to a new recovery low of 311,500. It should mean we will see a further … Continue reading →

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T Piketty and Capital Beyond the 21st Century

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the 21st Century is about more than proving that excessive income and wealth inequality has been the norm over centuries by so-called free market capitalism, or its social democratic versions in Europe. It’s … Continue reading →

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Where Is Housing Affordable Anymore?

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs How much salary do you need in order to afford the principal and interest payments on a median-priced home in your metro area? To find out, HSH.com, a mortgage data service, took the National Association of Realtors’ first-quarter … Continue reading →

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New-Home Construction, Permits Soar

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Housing starts jumped in April and building permits hit their highest level in nearly six years, offering hope the weak housing market could be stabilizing, according to the US Census Bureau’s April report on housing starts.  This … Continue reading →

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New Fannie, Freddie Regulator Won’t Cut Loan Limits

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — This headline just out.  Mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won’t be directed to lower the limits for mortgages that they back, the new head of their federal regulator said Tuesday. In a … Continue reading →

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Why Low Interest Rates Are Here to Stay

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Some have called it a Putin bond rally. Or it might be new Fed Chairperson Yellen’s determination to keep interest rates as low as possible, until economic prosperity returns to Main Street. It might as well be because … Continue reading →

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