Despite Gains, Housing Still Faces Problems
Housing has been down so long that any gain is welcome. But the 1.5% rise in January starts was less positive than meets the eye.
Despite Gains, Housing Still Faces Problems
Housing has been down so long that any gain is welcome. But the 1.5% rise in January starts was less positive than meets the eye.
Philly Fed Index Points to Improved Conditions
Mid-Atlantic manufacturers see better business conditions this month, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Manufacturing Sector Is Doing Fine
Don't worry. The flat reading on industrial production was a head fake. The factory sector is doing fine.
New York Factory Activity Expands
New York manufacturing activity in February expanded for the third consecutive month, and a substantial number of businesses expect to increase capital spending this year.
Odd Retail Data Aren’t as Worrying as Rising Gas Prices
Because they are shelling out more at the pump than usual this winter, consumers have less to spend elsewhere. The strain is likely to get worse.
Small Business Optimism Increases
Small-business owner confidence in January rose for a fifth consecutive month, but that hasn't translated into more jobs, according to data released Tuesday.
Wealthy at $250,000? Depends on Where You Live
Thanks to regional differences on costs, $250,000 does not go so far in places like New York City and Honolulu, compared with cities in Texas or Tennessee.
The Hiring Hare Will Soon Morph Into a Tortoise
Hiring looks like a rabbit, but expect job growth to shift into a slower pace soon.
Strong Factory Hiring? Don’t Bet On It
"More factory workers!" It's one campaign slogan Democrats and Republicans agree on. There's just one problem. U.S. factory jobs have been on a structural downtrend, and government policy can't change that.
January Downshift Shouldn’t Be Surprise
The latest data disappointments include a drop in consumer confidence and factory activity growing slower than expected. The more tepid January numbers shouldn't be a surprise.
Determining Why People Stop Working Is Key
Determining the structural and cyclical causes of unemployment are important because the former are mostly chosen by the participants, while the latter are usually involuntary and impose costs on the economy.
