Research Center

Economy Watch: Congress Acts as Deadline Nears, but GDP Still Anemic

Although not yet finalized, a last-minute deal is in the works to raise the debt ceiling; U.S. GDP gets revised way down; and homeownership rates continue to shrink.

PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling

For the week ending July 29, while Congress continued to dither over the debt crisis, equity markets acted nervous and bond markets showed a steady hand; U.S. GDP projections have been revised downward; and the housing market at least isn’t sinking.

Economy Watch: Congress Continues to Spin Its Wheels

Congress doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere on the debt ceiling mess; foreclosures were down in the first half of the year, though perhaps due to blockage in the pipeline; and pending home sales were up in June.

Economy Watch: No Deal Yet

Votes in the House and Senate on their respective debt-ceiling plans are expected today; the Beige Book reports mediocre economic recovery; and the United States takes UBS to court over selling bum mortgages to GSEs.

Economy Watch: Case-Shiller’s Slender Good News: Home Prices Didn’t Go Down in May

The latest S&P/Case-Shiller index shows property values mostly holding steady; consumers are slightly less grumpy than last month; and U.S. investors hold their breath about the debt ceiling.

Economy Watch: More Debt-Ceiling Drama

The House and Senate are drafting two wildly different bills for raising the debt ceiling, and Obama addresses the nation on Congress’ stalemate. And the Chicago Fed’s index shows increased economic activity.

Economy Watch: Asian Markets Get U.S. Debt Ceiling Blues

Equities markets in Asia reflect worry over U.S. default; Jefferson County, Alabama, may vote on Chapter 9 bankruptcy; and a Gallup poll shows Americans feeling grim about the economy.

PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling

The week ending July 22 saw more fruitless wrangling between lawmakers in Washington, signs that the Eurozone will be able to work out its problem with Greece, and CRE prices and construction increases.

Economy Watch: CRE Prices See Uptick in May

Commercial real estate prices were up in May; existing-home sales edge downward; and Republican leaders were at the White House again on Wednesday, trying to work out the debt crisis.

Economy Watch: Housing Starts Shoot Up in June

Housing starts last month were higher than they’d been in the previous five; Capitol Hill’s Gang of Six proposes a deficit-cutting, ceiling-raising plan; and AP uncovers that robo-signing is still happening.