Category Archives: Weekly Financial News

The Fed Has Two Mandates—Growth + Price Stability

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Why has there been so much debate over the Fed’s monetary policy of so-called Quantitative Easing? The simplest answer is that it pits those countries and ideologies that see the world as a zero-sum game—the I Win, You … Continue reading →

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QE2 Will Stimulate Economic Growth

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly In a bid to stimulate banks to lend more by increasing their reserves, the Federal Reserve announced QE2 (Quantitative Easing 2). It will be buying up to $600 billion in Treasury securities from banks who hold them. … Continue reading →

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Rock Bottom Mortgage Rates Increase Sales

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs It seems that the lowest mortgage rates since the 1950s are making a difference. New-home sales rose 6 percent and existing-home sales increased 10 percent in September, “affirming that a sales recovery has begun”, said the National Association … Continue reading →

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Zero Inflation Won’t Help Economy Grow

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke in his most recent speech said that more Quantitative Easing may be necessary, in order to comply with the Fed’s longer-run sustainable rate of unemployment and the mandate-consistent inflation rate. The longer-run sustainable rate … Continue reading →

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When Will Hiring Improve?

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs All eyes are focused on the jobs market as September’s unemployment report showed progress in private hiring, but a loss of 50,000 education jobs, as states and local governments sliced more than 159,000 jobs off their payrolls. When … Continue reading →

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Pending Sales Show Housing Improvement

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner   The NAR’s Pending Home Sale Index, a forward-looking indicator of existing-home sales, rose 4.3 percent to 82.3 based on contracts signed in August from 78.9 in July. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally … Continue reading →

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The Recession is (Really) Over

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The Great Recession is officially over. We really can breathe a sigh of relief—even though job formation is just now picking up, while major segments are still stagnating; such as real estate, and motor vehicle production. But … Continue reading →

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The Jobs Are Coming

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly The August unemployment report supported both sides of the stimulus debate. Democrats said it showed more stimulus was needed, while Republicans said employers were holding back because of too much government—too many regulations and a soaring deficit … Continue reading →

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When Will Real Estate Recover?

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Ah, that is the $64,000 question we have been asking since 2008, when housing imploded. Where are conditions improving, if anywhere? The Fed announced it would continue to hold down interest rates, and loan modifications are helping … Continue reading →

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Beware of Extraordinary Times

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Yes, Beware of Extraordinary Times is a much used saying these days.  It also applies to the extraordinary polarization of ideas in the economics profession at present. This is an election year, of course, which has distorted … Continue reading →

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