All Economy
- Income inequality: It's a problem. Here's why.Income inequality is strongly correlated with the inability of the next generation to achieve the American Dream. The more income inequality, the fewer people can achieve the 'Dream.'
- The week's biggest financial newsThe Fed defends the housing bubble, Fannie Mae's CEO resigns, and Obama wants to convert foreclosed properties into rentals
- Change your dreams, not your plansAs you move through life, your dreams will change, so your plans should be steady yet flexible
- Mitt Romney needs to get his facts straightMitt Romney asserted that federal low-income programs are administered so inefficiently that “very little of the money that’s actually needed by those that really need help, those that can’t care for themselves, actually reaches them.” But administrative costs only count for between 1 and 10 percent of these programs' spending.
- Oil prices fall below $99 a barrelOil prices drifted lower Friday on concerns about European credit downgrades. A European recession would slow demand for oil and push oil prices lower.
- College savings plans: Is prepaid tuition still a good idea?College savings plans are struggling in many states because of rising tuition costs and declining returns. About half of prepaid college savings plans have stopped accepting new money.
- Consumer confidence improvesThe University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Expectations rose to 68.4, and the Current Economic Conditions Index climbed to 82.6.
- Should New York scrap its nuclear power plant?The power generated by the Indian Point nuclear plant just north of New York City is cheap and clean, but is it worth the risk?
- Has capitalism failed us?How is it possible that the most dynamic, best capitalized, most high-tech economy in world history could not add a single dollar to the real wealth of the average working man over a 40 year period?
- Shopping: Why it pays to researchFor every $100 you plan to spend over an item's lifetime, do an hour of research. It will pay off.
- Credit rating slashed, France promises reformsCredit rating downgrades prompts several European nations to lambaste S&P ratings agency. But France, which lost its AAA credit rating, says it will implement cost cuts.
- NFL playoffs: When offenses shine, fans tune inNFL playoffs are full of big passing games and weak defensive squads. It's easier for fans to cheer champion quarterbacks than defensive squads in the NFL playoffs.
- Success in the markets means picking the best stocksPoor stock selection is one of the biggest mistakes a trader can make. But how do you spot the good ones?
- Stocks slip; JPMorgan disappointsThe Dow fell 48 points to close at 12422 Friday after a rare disappointing earnings report from JPMorgan Chase battered bank stocks
- Retail sales show weak increaseIn December, retail sales increased 0.1 percent from November and 6.5 percent on a year over year basis
- Why 'trickle down' economics don't workSupply side economic practice deepens the deficit and worsens inequality
- Stock prices fall on European credit rumorsStock prices fell in morning trading Friday after a rare earnings miss for JPMorgan Chase reports swirled that European governments may get their ratings cut soon. Stock prices dragged the Dow down 159 points in the first hour of trading.
- Group blasts J. Lo and her ride, citing Fiat business dealings with IranJennifer Lopez is under fire over her TV ad for Fiat. An anti-Iran group is asking her to renounce her endorsement of Fiat cars if the company does not end its sales to Iran. No word yet from J. Lo.
- Serious debt problems will continue, experts sayOver the past 10 to 15 years, total debt outstanding in the US has grown as a much faster pace than population, and little has been done to deal with the debt in spite of widespread unemployment, flat personal income, and declining collateral values.
- Scalp the iPhone 4S in China? No phone for you, says Apple.Apple shut the doors of its flagship Beijing store Friday as scuffles broke out among people - many of them scalpers - waiting to buy the just-released iPhone 4S.