All Economy
- Stocks rally as Greek debt deal draws near
After falling as much as 60 points earlier in the day, the Dow closed up 5 points, at 12883 Wednesday as Greece appeared to close in on the cost-cutting deal it needs to keep from defaulting on its national debt.
- Bacon milkshake? Yes, from Jack in the Box.
Bacon milkshake is available for a limited time as part of from Jack in the Box's new 'marry bacon' ad campaign. Bacon milkshake doesn't appear on the menu. You have to ask for it.
- A European recession could have American consequences
Even with only about two percent of American exports going to Europe, a severe recession in the region would affect the US beyond the direct effect on exports.
- Want to save gas? Clean out your car.
Lugging around even ten pounds of extra weight in your car can have a significant financial impact. Lightening the load will increase fuel efficiency and prolong the life of your car.
- Mortgage rates: How low can they go?
the average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage dropped to 3.33 percent since last week, while the purchase application volume increased 0.1 percent and the refinance application jumped 9.4 percent over the same period.
- Can American manufacturing really be cornerstone of economic revival?
For decades, the US manufacturing sector has shriveled, but President Obama now envisions it as an engine of a revived US economy. The basis of his optimism may be hopes for 'advanced' manufacturing.
- Nokia will end cellphone assembly in Europe
Nokia is shifting production to Asia to speed up delivery of new products. Nokia will pare 4,000 jobs in Finland, Hungary, and Mexico.
- Super PACs: How many billionaires does it take to buy a presidential election?
Would a refusal by President Obama to endorse a super PAC really amount to unilateral disarmament? To the contrary, it would have given the president a rallying cry that nearly all Americans would get behind.
- Capital gains tax: a way to fund schools?
Capital gains tax proposed by a Washington State Democrat as a way to fund education. But a capital gains tax would require bipartisan effort as legislature works to address a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
- The decline of the shopping mall
Shopping malls across the country are experiencing near-record vacancy rates, thanks a flagging retail market.
- Social Security retirees can't ditch Medicare, court rules
Social Security recipients sued to opt out of Medicare, saying the benefit limits their private insurance coverage. But federal appeals court rules they can't reject Medicare if they receive Social Security.
- Green Big Brother? Why the backlash against environmentalism has grown.
What is behind the opposition to environmental initiatives and the push toward greener living?
- Is education really a worthy investment?
Contemporary education is a dead end. Huge amounts of money — public, private, charitable, debt, savings, earnings — are invested. The output is small, dubious and perhaps even negative.
- Stocks rise; Dow approaches 13000
The Dow is within reach of the rarefied 13000 mark — a level it hasn't seen since May 2008, four months before the financial system almost came apart.
- It's time to raise minimum wage again
If the national minimum wage isn't raised again soon, it will only increase the growing problem of wage inequality.
- Foreclosure deal close in several key states
Foreclosure deal adopted in more than 40 US states would force mortgage lenders to reduce loans for about 1 million households. Two key states, New York and California, are close to adopting the foreclosure deal.
- How to buy and sell Facebook stock
I have no idea how brokers will parcel out the meager amount of Facebook shares they get, but if I were a broker, this is how I'd sell Facebook.
- Indiana 'right to work' law: what it means for the pro-union Rust Belt
Indiana's new 'right to work' law is the first of its kind in the Midwest. But amid the region's disputed union issues, will the right-to-work law mean more jobs or lower wages for all workers?
- Job openings increase
Private job “openings” increased 8.79 percent since November, climbing 20.36 percent above the level seen in December 2010.
- Presidential elections are good for stocks, but ...
The trend: Since 1952, stocks have risen in the last seven months of every presidential election except two. The trouble: Both exceptions occurred in the 2000s.