All Economy
Gas prices should be higherIn an election year, President Obama may be the last guy who wants gas prices to rise. However, if we want to reduce our need for foreign oil, slow climate change, and encourage development of new energy technology, we ought to be raising taxes on fossil fuels. A lot.
NCAA Tournament 2012 means distracted workers. What's an employer to do?The first two days of NCAA Tournament 2012 mean productivity losses worth $175 million, by one estimate. Some employers grin and bear it, while others warn workers against watching on the sly.
Dow jumps 218 on market's biggest 2012 dayBank stocks led the market to its biggest single day gain of 2012. The Dow rose 218 points to close at 13177, its highest close since 2007.
US, EU, and Japan challenge China’s rare earth export restrictionsIn a tripartite challenge against China's export restrictions on rare earth materials, the US, European Union, and Japan filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Tired of paltry returns on bank savings? Here's help.Interest rates on bank savings are so low that many retirees are looking for higher returns. If you're one of them, consider bonds and dividend-paying stocks.
Retail sales up in FebruaryRetail sales showed a notable 1.1 percent increase from January and an increase of 6.5 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Mortgage deal: Banks impeded probe, HUD saysMortgage deal has forced banks to pay $25 billion, mostly to current and former homeowners. But in the run-up to the mortgage deal, banks delayed handing over foreclosure documents and prevented federal investigators from interviewing employees, the Department of Housing and Urban Development says.
Private stock markets? Not so fast."Private" stock markets, a trading trend primarily among venture capitalists based on the West coast, may soon be coming to an end.
China's economy slowing? Not much.China doesn't seasonally adjust its trade numbers, so swings month to month can be misleading.
A surtax on the rich is fair and necessaryThe wealth gap in America is widening, and a surtax on the super rich would slow it from widening into a chasm.
Social Security: eight key things to knowSocial Security recipients should look into the possibilities of spousal benefits, as well as their own, to maximize their Social Security income.
Tax policy won't fix the economy on its ownMany tax policy experts spin a simple fairy tale when they talk about how to reform the tax system. They say that we just need to cut tax rates, which will expand the economy, which in turn will reduce the deficit. But unfortunately, in the real world, we face real budget constraints and a real scarcity of resources.
Stocks mixed; Dow erases last week's huge lossThe Dow rose 37 points to close at 12959 Monday, erasing a nerve-wracking 204-point loss it suffered a week ago.
Sitters too pricey? Try a babysitting exchangeBy swapping babysitting services with another family, you save a hefty amount of money and build strong relationships to boot.
Is this the worst time to buy stocks?Some cautious financial minds are predicting that right now might be a good time to sit out the stock market, despite the economic recovery. Are they right?
Why the economy needs a strong service sectorA nation's economy doesn't have to be wholly reliant on manufacturing, and service sector jobs are a strong indicator of an economy's health.
Gas prices: Up 12 cents in two weeksGas prices are highest in Los Angeles at $4.35 a gallon and lowest in Denver at $3.36. Survey finds that average premium gas prices are at $4.07.
Rebellious unions upend German orderGermany has a tradition of good relations between unions and employers, but as support erodes for well-established groups, workers are joining smaller unions willing to buck the consensus.
The Pentagon is a gas guzzlerThe Pentagon spent $17.3 billion on oil in 2011, a 26 percent increase from 2010. This despite the Pentagon's public efforts to "go green."
Stock market points to lower openStock market futures in US follow Europe, Asia lower. Stock market focus is on Greek debt deal and slowing growth in China.
