Labor/Economy
Economy Watch: Financial Crisis Panel Offers Split Conclusion
Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission releases its report, shedding little light on what caused the economic meltdown of 2008. Pending home sales and economic activity indicate that we’re on our way back from dark times.
Economy Watch: New Home Sales Edge Up Unexpectedly
Home sales increased in December; the Fed isn’t worried about inflation yet; and–news flash–the federal deficit is out of control.
Economy Watch: Case-Shiller Confirms Sinking Feeling in Home Prices
Consumer confidence has been climbing, although not so much in the housing arena. Judging by the president State of the Union, the White House has no fixes up its sleeves.
Economy Watch: Dismal Scientists Not Quite as Dismal as Before
Gallop predicts that the economy will grow at a better rate in 2011 than what was predicted three months ago, creating about 200,000 jobs each month, which would lower the unemployment rate to 9 percent but no further.
PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling
For the week ending Jan. 21, homebuilder confidence and single-family starts stayed down, even though existing home sales are creeping upward.
Economy Watch: Home Starts Hit New Lows
Single-family home starts saw a big drop in December; the FDIC chairman calls for a foreclosure claims commission; and the SEC begins to implement Dodd-Frank.
Economy Watch: Homebuilders Still Sing the Blues
Single-family builder confidence remains in the doldrums; Fairholme sells its stake in GGP; and Yum looks to dump fast-food chains that can’t be marketed overseas.
Economy Watch: Consumers Had Small Spending Party in December
Consumer spending and consumer confidence tell different stories, and Alan Greenspan in 2005 was in no hurry to face the housing bubble.
PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling
For the week ending Jan. 14, the news was a mixed bag, with economic indicators gradually climbing while foreclosures continue to break through the ceiling.