All Economy
- Grim prospects for Romney and Ryan
The Romney-Ryan ticket continues to lag behind in polls despite bad economic news because Republicans appeal to only one slice of America, Reich writes.
- Fed easing: How many homeowners will it really help?
Federal Reserve's new push to ease mortgage rates won't help underwater homeowners and those with bad credit. Despite current low rates, two-thirds of homeowners have interest rates above 5 percent.
- Curb your need for speed
Driving too fast can lead to speeding tickets, extra gas costs and an increased risk of accidents. To keep insurance costs low, Hamm recommends playing it safe and staying below the speed limit.
- Apple hits new high as stocks slip slightly
Weak economic news sent stocks sliding after a four-day surge in stock prices. Apple bucked the slight downward trend, rising $8.50 to $699.78, a new high for the stock market's most valuable company.
- Housing prices: Agents make houses sell for a lot less. On purpose.
Housing prices are manipulated by shady real estate agents who practice 'flopping.' Instead of making homes look good to raise housing prices, tey make them look bad so banks will sell them for a loss.
- The Fed can't create jobs all by itself
Low interest rates won’t boost the economy without an expansive fiscal policy that makes up for the timid spending of consumers and businesses, Reich writes.
- iPhone 5 pre-orders top 2 million in 24 hours: Apple
The iPhone 5 has shattered a record previously established by the iPhone 4S. Apple now says it may have trouble fulfilling pre-orders.
- India: Bring on the Wal-Mart greeters
The Indian government has loosened restrictions on foreign investment in retail, paving the way for Wal-Mart to open retail stores here.
- 'Two Inflationary Days': A clarification
Karlsson responds to readers' comments on his translation of monthly changes to annualized rates in his previous post on inflation.
- Obama, stung by Romney, hits China on trade
President Obama is expected to bring before the World Trade Organization a case against Chinese autos and auto parts. China has filed a WTO case against US antidumping measures on kitchen appliances, magnets, paper, and other Chinese goods.
- A pessimistic present and optimistic future for manufacturing
The latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey, which identifies trends across manufacturing executives, showed a deceleration of current assessments of manufacturing activity and an improvement in future assessments of manufacturing activity.
- Pay your bills on time
It's all too easy to postpone paying your bills, but the sooner you pay them, the more money you'll save, Hamm writes. The key is developing a standard process for paying your bills.
- iPhone 5 frenzy sets sales record, causes back orders
iPhone 5 preorders topped 2 million in 24 hours, more than doubling the preorders for the previous iPhone and setting a sales record for AT&T. Because of the overwhelming demand, some iPhone 5 devices won't be delivered until October.
- Japanese firms brace for violence in China over disputed islands
Panasonic and Canon announced shutdowns in China on Monday, and firms urged expatriates to stay indoors after protests over Japan's purchase of disputed Islands got out of hand Saturday.
- Gas prices, not jobs stats, are key numbers for voters
Gas prices and grocery bills are more likely to sway voters than the monthly jobs report, economists and pollsters say. Gas prices are nearing $4 per gallon and could be key in deciding the presidential race.
- Japanese shops, factories close in China after violence
Chinese protests over disputed islands lead to violent attacks on Toyota, Honda dealerships, and other Japanese companies in China. Panasonic, Canon shutter some operations through Tuesday.
- What Mitt Romney didn't learn from Ronald Reagan about taxes
There are so many things the former Massachusetts governor could learn from the former California governor’s presidential campaigns. But I have in mind only one lesson not learned by Mitt Romney — how Reagan ran on tax reform in 1984.
- Credit cards: Pros, cons, and tips
You aren't required to have a credit card, and plenty of people get along just fine without them. But with self discipline and on-time payments, credit cards can reap great benefits.
- Bernanke's bold move: good policy – or politics?
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's says economics dictated the central bank's bold actions. But by acting so close to the election, he risks accusations that he's playing politics.
- Push a button, start a car. Easy, but is it safe?
Keyless entry and push-button ignitions are becoming commonplace across a rage of electric and hybrid vehicles. But do they pose the risk that drivers will forget to turn their cars off?