Lurking in the Shadows
A spate of better-than-expected economic reports has spurred growing talk of a U.S. recovery. In fact, many observers are convinced that the post-crisis low is in, and that it's onward and upward from here. One problem with this view, however,...
The Great Divide
Although all of the examples included in the Economic Policy Institute's graphic feature, "11 Telling Charts from 2011," paint a similarly dispiriting picture of our allegedly recovering economy, there are two that seem to sum up the great divide in...
Thinking Like a Bull
After today's big rally in share prices, maybe it's time to start looking at things a little differently. Let's start with this morning's report on November housing starts. Some might say the data isn't as good as it looks because...
Maybe Not
Good news on the way? "U.S. Economic Growth Seen Brighter into 2012" (Reuters) The economy has probably picked up speed in the last few months and will grow moderately in 2012, staving off the need for additional stimulus from the...
Just As Ugly with Less
In "50 Economic Numbers From 2011 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe," the Economic Collapse blog offers up a hefty list of bullet points that accurately describe an economy teetering on the edge of disaster. That said, 50 might...
The Foreseeable Future
Even if the optimists are right in arguing that the U.S. economy is experiencing some sort of a rebound (that's a big "if," by the way, that I don't agree with), it doesn't take away from the fact that many...
Departmental Updates
From the "Does history repeat itself?" department: (Source: "US Housing Prices Mirror Japan’s Experience.") From the "Does this make any sense?" department: (Data source: "Business Roundtable Releases Fourth Quarter 2011 CEO Economic Outlook.") From the "How long can they keep...
‘An Absurdly High Number’
If this is what a moderately growing economy looks like (as per the Fed), I'd hate to see the alternative. "Report: Child Homelessness Up 33% in 3 Years" (USA Today) One in 45 children in the USA — 1.6 million...
More of Less
Politicians, economists, and Wall Street "analysts" have relied on various statistics to justify an upbeat economic outlook. However, based on recent reports, it appears that at least three critical data series have been casting an overly positive light on day-to-day...
Americans Are Spending
...less than the mainstream "experts" anticipated this holiday season (see here and here; as predicted here and here). Indeed, it looks like the "new black" as far as shopping venues go is the old (and really cheap) stuff: Consignment stores...
Smart vs. Dumb
The "smart money" "American Economy Rebounding as Investor Favorite in Global Poll" (Bloomberg) The U.S. receives its highest rating from international investors in more than two years on new optimism that the world’s largest economy will weather the financial crisis...
I Smell a U.S. Bestseller-in-the-Making…
Greeks Tighten Belt with Crisis Cookbooks
See, there are ways to profit from adversity (other than buying stocks for all the wrong reasons)!
