Tag Archives: retail sales

2013 U.S. Economy Finally In Recovery

Popular Economics Weekly With tax rates returning to more normal levels from the rollback of Bush era tax cuts, and Republicans giving up on denying debt ceiling increases until April that would force more cuts in government spending, there seem … Continue reading

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Q4 GDP Growth Improving

Financial FAQs We are seeing faster economic growth in the fourth quarter, even after the upward revision of Q3 GDP growth to 2.7 percent from 2.0 percent. The reason? The 146,000 jump in November payroll jobs, soaring retail sales, and … Continue reading

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Better Growth and Jobs Ahead?

Popular Economics Weekly The U.S. economy is now growing faster than the rest of the advanced economies. And the Fed just announced it will discuss a possible expansion of the size of its third round of bond buying (QE3) and … Continue reading

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Housing Construction, Retail Sales Surge

The Mortgage Corner Another sign that the economy is finally recovering—new housing starts surged 15 percent, to their highest levels since 2008 and the beginning of the Great Recession. This is boosting construction employment in particular, but also finance, insurance … Continue reading

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Increased Consumer Spending a Good Sign

Financial FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers are able to spend more, even as they borrow more. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have … Continue reading

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Consumer Spending Continues to Improve

FINANCIAL FAQs The most recent retail sales show consumers continue to spend, as consumer borrowing is increasing. Add to that credit card delinquencies are at an 18-year low, according to credit reporting company Transunion Corp., and we have a picture … Continue reading

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Consumers Becoming Healthier—Part II

Financial FAQs Consumers seem to be doing better, as I said last week, in spite of their worries about jobs, the economy and budget deficits (their own more than governments’). Consumer credit jumped $17.1 billion in May for the largest … Continue reading

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The Confidence Fairies Love Austerity

Popular Economics Weekly January’s economic numbers are in, so we can say government stimulus spending has worked; there is just not enough of it. Whereas the views of those Paul Krugman characterizes as “confidence fairies” doesn’t work. Austerity and budget … Continue reading

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Fair Play Benefits All of Us

The Popular Economics Weekly The idea of fair play may be the key issue in 2012—both with the Presidential campaign and economic growth. How so? Both political parties are jockeying to portray their message as fair—Democrats want to restore the … Continue reading

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Consumers Regaining Financial Health

Popular Economics Weekly Consumers are spending for the holidays. Retail sales in particular have rebounded to almost pre-recession levels. Overall retail sales in November grew 0.2 percent, following a 0.6 percent boost in October (originally up 0.5 percent) and a … Continue reading

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