Research Center
Economy Watch: Housing Starts See Surprising Uptick in May
The homebuilding industry saw a break in the clouds in May; banks can’t keep up with the foreclosure process; and last week had fewer jobless claims than the week before.
Economy Watch: Consumer Prices Edge Up, Investors Gnash Their Teeth
The Consumer Price Index posts its smallest increase since November; homebuilding sentiment is gloomy; and overseas visits to the U.S. increased in the first quarter.
Economy Watch: Retail Sales Edge Down Because Fewer Buy Cars
Lack of auto sales pushed retail sales down in May; gas pushes up wholesale prices; and there may be hope for the labor market.
Economy Watch: Economists Say Fed Should Take a Breather
Economists are less optimistic than two months ago; Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness proposes various government actions; and S&P downgrades Greek debt.
Economy Watch: Online Data Thieves Hit IMF, Rouge State Suspected
The IMF’s computer systems have been hacked; a McKinsey Global Institute report outlines the immensity of the task of restoring the labor market; and the cost of TARP has shrunk more than expected.
PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling
For the week ending June 10, the economy is winded in all kinds of ways; oil prices are on the rise, partly due to OPEC’s recent meeting; and Congress continues to play chicken with the deficit. At least U.S. household net worth is up.
Economy Watch: U.S. Households Grow Richer
A Fed report shows a jump in U.S. household wealth during the first quarter of 2011; Treasury looks to punish three big banks for substandard performance in participating in HAMP; and the Fed is now the top U.S. creditor.
Economy Watch: Beige Book Reports Weakened U.S. Economy
The Federal Reserve releases its latest Beige Book on the ups and downs of the U.S. economy; oil prices spike after a disorganized meeting of OPEC; and rating agencies encourage Congress to take default seriously.
Economy Watch: Bernanke Bemoans Economy, Warns of Drastic Federal Budget Cuts
With the recovery still fragile, Fed Chairman Bernanke says that drastic federal budget cuts could have damaging effects; job openings have been flat; and consumer borrowing saw an uptick in April.
Economy Watch: Conference Board Employment Index Slip-Slides Away
In more unsettling employment news, the Conference Board said on Monday that its Employment Trends Index declined for the second month in a row in May to 99.7, down from April’s revised figure of 100.1. On the other hand, the May figure is still up 5.3 percent from a year ago.