Tag Archives: finance

High Productivity the Key

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs There is a major reason the US economy is doing well in so many ways—with plunging inflation, surging consumer spending, and the highest economic growth of developed countries—that is often overlooked in economic reports. Labor productivity has been … Continue reading →

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Why the Inflation Debate?

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner This month’s Consumer Price index looked hotter at first glance, but it wasn’t. It was slightly cooler, so there was no real reason for yesterday’s 500 pt. plunge in the DOW. That’s where the debate is raging … Continue reading →

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Inflation Still Too High?

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs In an excellent piece in MarketWatch, Jeffry Bartash quoted Fed Chair Powell on remarks he made last week in a 60 Minutes interview. Why do Americans still seem unhappy with the economy in many surveys? “People are going … Continue reading →

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Soft Landing, What’s Next?

Posted on February 6, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner The US economy has landed with the huge Q4 GDP growth spurt of 3.3 percent, and 335,000 nonfarm payroll jobs created, and inflation close to the Fed’s 2% target rate. What happens next? It looks like it’s … Continue reading →

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US Economy Has Landed–Part II

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly I said last week there’s no longer any doubt the US economy has made a soft landing because the economy grew 3.3 percent in Q4 2023 and 3.1 percent for the year. The first look at employment … Continue reading →

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Will 2024 Be Even Better?

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner The US economy grew either 2.5 percent or 3.1 percent annually in 2023, whichever GDP growth indicator you choose. Why such strong growth when the rest of the world is still recovering from the COVID pandemic? Even … Continue reading →

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Much Less Pessimism

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Is the Irrational Pessimism I’ve been writing about finally turning into a more rational optimism that reflects how consumers see the current economy? The two major measures of consumer confidence—the Conference Board’s Confidence Index and University of Michigan’s … Continue reading →

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No Recession At All?

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Popular Economics Weekly Ho hum, another good economic number. December retail sales are telling us why we have avoided a recession this year. It’s because consumers have increased rather than reduced their spending ways. Sales at retailers jumped +0.6 percent … Continue reading →

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Q4 Growth Prospects Improve

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

The Mortgage Corner Prospects for better fourth quarter economic growth are improving. Why? Interest rates are declining along with inflation rates. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow Q4 estimate of economic growth that I like just picked up steam after several downward … Continue reading →

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Why the Irrational Pessimism?

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Popular Economics Weekly

Financial FAQs Public polls seem to be saying one thing, economic facts another. Real Clear Politics compendium of 11 opinion polls on whether participants approve or disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the economy show a negative -22.5 percent spread. … Continue reading →

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