A Different Take on the Economy
In "Food Banks Fear They Will Fall Short in Efforts to Feed the Nation's Hungry," the network of the nation's largest food banks gives us a different take on the state of the economy than the one officialdom keeps feeding...
Maybe Not Forgotten
In "One in Three Americans Paying Bills Late: Survey," the Herald-News brings us the latest news from the front lines of the so-called recovery. More than half of adults nationwide — 56 percent — have no budget and one-third don’t...
This Time Around
The price of lumber has long kept pace with swings in economic activity -- except this time. In fact, nearly three years after the recession supposedly ended, the best the commodity could muster was a dead cat bounce that looks...
An Altogether Different Reality
A post at CNNMoney's Term Sheet blog, "Why Dollar Stores Are Thriving, Even Post-Recession," maintains that there is more to the recent success of the U.S. dollar store industry -- including the big three, Dollar General (DG) , Dollar Tree...
Next Up: SSI Saturday Soiree?
In "Alabama Nightclub Raises Eyebrows With ‘Food Stamp Friday’ Party," The Daily Caller reports on how one business is adapting to the times. A nightclub in Montgomery, Ala. is raising eyebrows by hosting a “Food Stamp Friday” party on April...
Wrong Polish on the Economy
Many economists like to keep a watchful eye on popular fashion-related developments, including fabric and color choices, hemline lengths, and appearance-enhancing acccessories, to try and get a read on where things stand on Main Street and Wall Street. According to...
Alternative Reality
According to the head of America's largest and most profitable bank, it's onward and upward for the U.S. economy: "JPMorgan’s Dimon Says U.S. No Longer Faces Risk of Recession" (Bloomberg) JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon said...
‘Surreal’
It's a good thing Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, the man who saved our economy, is in charge. Otherwise I might be a bit concerned about these three (and many other) bailouts-in-the-making: "FHA Bailout Risk Looming Larger After Guarantee Binge: Mortgages"...
Anybody Left to Buy?
Five reports suggest that contrary to popular belief, the "crowd" -- investors, traders, and market advisors -- is bullish (and invested): Make No Mistake... Institutional Investors Are All In" (Business Insider) According to Morgan Stanley, there's no question about the...
Not the Only One
I am not averse to using hard data to prove a point. But unlike many mainstream commentators, I find it useful -- no, essential -- to incorporate other kinds of information, including first-hand observations and anecdotal reports, when trying to...
So High
A new commentary from Fidelity, "Think Global," notes the fact that many U.S.-listed blue chip companies derive a significant share of their revenues from sales outside our borders. And yet, despite mounting evidence that the economies of Europe and China,...
‘The American Economic Model Is Broken’
A new survey of U.S. household finances by British research firm Absolute Strategy Research suggests that Americans are not only pooh-poohing the notion that an economic recovery is at hand, they are becoming resigned to the fact that the longer-term...
