Topic: Ben Bernanke

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Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on the economy

With more than 13 million Americans out of work and wage increases so modest they’re failing to keep up with inflation, voters have put the economy and jobs at the top of their checklist of presidential issues.
European debt crisis: Seven basics you need to know

Will this crisis ever be over?! Eurozone nations seem to be fighting endless battles to address fears about government finances. The worry is that unsustainable national debt loads will result in default, a financial panic, or a costly repair effort. Here's what you need to know about the problem and possible ways forward.
Out of options in debt ceiling talks? Nope, here are five.

How many ways are there to resolve the debt ceiling crisis? Frustration is mounting in both political parties as an Aug. 2 deadline looms to avoid default on America's debt obligations and deficit-reduction negotiations are gridlocked. Still, at least five options for handling the matter have been discussed in recent days and months. Other possible solutions may emerge, but here’s the state of play on the options to date.
In Pictures: Obama's West Wing
The Fed speaks: Five times Federal Reserve chairmen made waves with words

The Federal Reserve, the institution tasked with guarding the economy against inflation and financial instability, has long made headlines for its words as well as its actions. Here's a look at some moments when a Fed chairman has made waves with his words.

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The Daily Reckoning
The dollar is in decline. So how to invest it?

The Federal Reserve's role should be to protect the value of the dollar.  But the dollar has been in decline for most of the last century.
GDP report puts Obama in economic 'gray zone.' Will Republicans profit?

GDP increased at a 2.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter, Commerce Department said Friday. That's below economists' expectations. The news gives Republicans ammunition against Obama.
'Fiscal cliff' threatens economy on Dec. 31, Bernanke warns Congress

At year-end, a range of tax cuts are set to expire, potentially dampening consumer spending. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday there's not much he can do if Congress doesn't act.
Orrin Hatch close call in Utah: Tea party rising?

Sen. Orrin Hatch is favored to win reelection, but first he faces a primary election against tea party favorite Dan Liljenquist. Can Hatch avoid the fate of former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, ousted in 2010 by the tea party?
The New Economy
Job growth slows in March. Is it payback?

The disappointing March employment report suggests job growth is coming back in sync with economic expansion after unusually strong job growth in the winter. 
The Circle Bastiat
2012: The year of the junk bond

The first quarter of 2012 will go down as the most active for junk bond issuance since 1980, when Thomson Reuters began keeping track, with 130 companies floating $75 billion in debt offerings.
1940 Census data: what you need to know to look up relatives

Monday's release of 1940 Census data sets off frenzy to dig into records on family past, crashing the website. When it comes back online, you'll need to know a few basics.
Robert Reich
Economic rebound? Not for most of us.

For the richest Americans, the recovery is in full swing. But everyone else is losing ground.
Bernanke comments send stocks soaring

Stocks recorded one of their biggest gains of the year Monday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested that the U.S. economy still needs help to produce faster job growth. The Dow jumped 160 points to close at 13241, its third-best showing of the year.
Bernanke signals low interest rates, stocks take off

Stocks chalk up one of the biggest gains of the year after Fed chairman says economy still needs help. Dow jumps more than 100 points
The Circle Bastiat
What Bernanke gets wrong about the gold standard

The redistribution created by the Fed’s monetary pumping actually weakens the economy over time as real savings is squandered on malinvestments. With gold as money, real production and savings is stimulated.  Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke doesn't understand that.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: Ben Bernanke, bilingualism, and a new study on God and civilization

Here's a survey of what's interesting in other magazines: a profile of 'the villain' Ben Bernanke, a look at the benefits of bilingualism, and a scientific explanation for society's need for God.
The Circle Bastiat
Billionaire is the new millionaire

There were 230 billionaires worldwide a mere 14 years ago. Now, there are 1,226.
Stocks fall, but Nasdaq sees 3000

The Nasdaq index briefly touched 3000 Wednesday for the first time in over a decade, but the stock market fell for the day. The Dow lost 53 points to close at 12952
The Daily Reckoning
Why the young are forced to pay the old's debts

Instead of families paying for their children’s education, they force the children to borrow the money from the government. Then, paying it back, the money is recycled to old people — through Social Security, Medicare, and so forth. How long will they put up with it?
On the Economy
Ben Bernanke shows his mettle, again

In recent remarks, Ben Bernanke showed that he’s not at all swept up in optimism about recent improvements—he’s particularly on point regarding continued weaknesses in the job market—and he clearly cites all the reasons to keep pressing on monetary stimulus.
Mortgage deal could help 2 million Americans

Proposed $25 billion settlement with major mortgage lenders would be biggest in 14 years. Much of the money would go to struggling homeowners and former homeowners hit by improper foreclosures.
The Daily Reckoning
Gold prices up in uncertain times

Gold prices are heading up again, but why is everything but gold prices going down?
New window on Fed thinking: Interest rates to stay low until 2014

Delivering on a recent promise to convey its policy intentions more transparently to investors and the public, the Fed said it expected to keep short-term interest rates low into 2014.
Ron Paul's intense following contains seeds of disaster for GOP (+video)

Ron Paul, who is running a solid second in New Hampshire, has said he does not plan to run as a third-party candidate if he's not the GOP nominee. But some Republicans are worried.
Unemployment rate falls to 8.5%; GOP still using jobs as battering ram (+video)

The US economy netted 200,000 new jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell. Even as Democratic politicians hail the jobs report, Republicans say any number above 8 percent is unacceptable by now.
The Daily Reckoning
When will the debt bubble burst?

With the Fed printing more and more money, when will the federal debt problem become too big to handle?
Federal Reserve unveils plan to be a little less secretive

The Federal Reserve intends to begin releasing a quarterly interest-rate forecast as a service to investors and to counter critics who say it is not transparent enough.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on the economy

With more than 13 million Americans out of work and wage increases so modest they’re failing to keep up with inflation, voters have put the economy and jobs at the top of their checklist of presidential issues.
Gold rush? Why gold standard glitters for some in GOP.

Backers of a gold standard – a view popular with many tea party advocates – see a gold-backed currency as a way to rein in government spending and minimize the role of the Federal Reserve.