Economy Watch: Employment Treads Water in March
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the labor market holding on, despite international nervousness; an ISM report is not as optimistic; a suit against Freddie Mac is dismissed; and new information comes to light regarding Fed lending in 2008.
Economy Watch: Non-Official March Jobs Numbers Not Bad
Public-sector jobs took a big hit, but private-sector cuts weren’t bad; the shadow inventory of U.S. homes is slightly less huge; and the Fed is looking for a high bidder for subprime MBS bonds.
Economy Watch: Case-Shiller Reports Continuing Home-Price Contractions
Single-family prices are down, along with consumer confidence, and the IBIS releases its doomsday report on dying industries.
Economy Watch: Consumer Income, Spending Rise in February
Personal income and expenditures were up in February; pending homes sales were up slightly as well; and a gender discrimination suit against Wal-Mart reaches the Supreme Court.
Economy Watch: Consumers Feeling Blue Once More
Consumer sentiment points toward nervous times; the Fed is looking to sell subprime mortgage bonds; and GDP growth for 4Q10 was revised upward.
PODCAST: Economy Watch Weekly with Dees Stribling
For the week ending March 25, U.S. GDP was revised upwards, but other than that the news was mostly negative, highlighted by uncertainties on the world stage, such as a debt crisis in Portugal. U.S. housing is in a serious trough, and workers over 55 are working longer, not because they want to, but because they have to.
Economy Watch: CBO Says Older Workers Hanging on to Their Jobs
The only group whose work force participation hasn’t dropped recently are workers over 55; Detroit’s population drop between 2000 and 2010 has been staggering; and Ben Bernanke has agreed to hold quarterly news briefings with reporters.
Economy Watch: New Homes Sales Drop into the Cellar
Single-family home sales slide to the lowest annual rate on record; the Fed vetoes Bank of America’s request to increase its dividend, leaving investors wondering about the bank’s health; and B of A purchases the retail component of Block 37.
Economy Watch: Shiller Survey Predicts Home Prices to Continue Slump
Home prices should bounce back eventually–just not yet. And Warren Buffet gives his take on the resilience of Japanese markets.
Economy Watch: Existing Home Sales Take a Dive
Tight credit contributes to home sales dropping; the Treasury will start selling some of the mortgage-backed securities it acquired after the 2008 crash; and the Chicago Fed’s National Activity Index registers a downtick.