Tag Archives: consumer spending

Case-Shiller Home Prices, Consumer Confidence Continue Rise

The Mortgage Corner Housing prices continue to climb, but not as fast in the hardest hit areas of Las Vegas and some Florida cities. This is probably because mortgage rates have already risen 1 percent. But rates are no longer … Continue reading

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Will Interest Rates Continue to Rise?

The Mortgage Corner We think not.  Interest rates are rising, mainly due to some Fed Governors saying they may begin to end the QE3 purchase of securities later this year. But that is based on overly optimistic growth projections by … Continue reading

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Mortgage Delinquencies Continue Decline

The Mortgage Corner Mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures continue to decline. According to Lender Processing Services (LPS), 6.08 percent of mortgages were delinquent in May, down from 6.21 percent in April, while 3.05 percent of mortgages were in the foreclosure process, … Continue reading

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Economic Growth Stronger Than Predictions?

Popular Economics Weekly There are signs that economists have underestimated GDP growth this year. The New York Times surveyed economists in a recent Sunday front page article, that said growth could increase to 3 percent from the 2 percent norm … Continue reading

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A Greater Recession, if Fed QE Ends Too Soon

Financial FAQs The stock and bond markets are sinking because of Fed Chairman Bernanke’s seemingly offhand remark that the Fed could slow down its QE purchases of securities as early as its June FOMC meeting. Now Organization for Economic Development … Continue reading

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Consumer Sentiment, Leading Indicators Signal Higher Growth

Popular Economics Weekly Both the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment survey and Conference Board’s Index of Leading Indicators rose in May, signaling that employment and growth may be stronger than forecast by most economists. How can that be with 7.5 … Continue reading

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Signs of Jobs Surge in 2013

Popular Economics Weekly There are signs the jobs picture will be much improved in 2013, even thought the March unemployment report was disappointing.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in the just released Job Openings and Labor Turnover … Continue reading

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Higher Retail Sales Point to Consumer Health

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are buying more, a reflection of improving incomes and the jobs market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday … Continue reading

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Expanding Service Sector Will Boost Growth

Financial FAQs Why are stock indexes breaking records? Part of it is because of record corporate profits (which affects price-to-earnings ratios), up 20 annually since the end of 2008, as well as good job news that is boosting investor optimism. … Continue reading

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No Double Dip Recession—Why Worry?

Popular Economics Weekly Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius has joined the chorus that says 2013 should be a good year for growth, in spite of the so-called ‘fiscal headwinds’ of a gridlocked Congress and White House. Why? Because both … Continue reading

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