Topic: Interest Rates

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Five budget realities no politician will talk about (not even Ron Paul)

Ron Paul deserves credit for making the boldest proposals of any candidate in the presidential race. The astonishing reality of the federal government’s budget situation, however, is that even his plans might not be enough to keep Uncle Sam out of bankruptcy. While President Obama offers a $3.8 trillion budget that optimistically might cut the federal deficit to $575 billion by 2018, federal data suggest the United States is already broke. The Federal Reserve estimates that the net value of all private assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, businesses, cash, etc., is $57 trillion. But the Treasury Department estimates the federal government’s net worth is a negative $61 trillion. Here are five budget realities that no candidate wants to acknowledge:
What can be done to create jobs? Six leading ideas.

The job market has shown some very welcome signs of improvement lately, but it still has a long way to go before approaching something Americans would call normal. Here’s a look at some of the proposed solutions out there.
5 financial steps to take before you buy a car

The 2012 car models will soon roll out to dealerships. If you’re looking to buy a car, you've undoubtedly done your research in advance about the right model and trim. The key to affording your dream ride works the same way: Get your financial situation under control before you step foot on the car lot. Here are five crucial steps to take that will help you save thousands of dollars when you buy a car:
Stock market jitters: Eight reasons investors are on edge

Stock markets have been swinging wildly of late. Even though corporate earnings have shown strength over the past year and not all economic indicators have been gloomy, investors are on edge. Uncertainty looms on several fronts – from concerns about the basic health of the economy to doubts about fiscal policies in the United States and Europe. Here's a look at the forces weighing on investors' outlook:
Euro debt crisis 101: What can Merkel, Sarkozy plan accomplish?

German Chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy are pushing eurozone reforms to mandate greater fiscal discipline in Europe. But is that enough to begin reversing the eurozone crisis?

All Content

Is Canada about to face US-style housing meltdown?

Skyrocketing home prices in Canada, particularly in cities like Toronto, are fueling concerns that Canadians are overspending as they assume – as the US did – that real estate prices can only go up.
OECD concerned that eurozone crisis could threaten world recovery (+video)

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development said Tuesday the eurozone must get member nations with debt problems under control, so as to not pose problems for a less than robust world economic recovery.
How Greek economic woes could help US consumers

Fears that Greece may default on its debt are spurring interest in US Treasury bonds, driving down interest rates on mortgages and auto loans – but not (alas) for credit card debt.
Student loan bill? Not so fast.

Student loan bill, which would keep graduates' interest rate costs from doubling, gets caught up in election free-for-all. House passes student loan bill, despite Obama veto threat.
The Circle Bastiat
Should we change the way we teach economics?

Because of the recent financial crisis, teaching the basic principles of economics is harder than ever.
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.
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.
Five budget realities no politician will talk about (not even Ron Paul)

Ron Paul deserves credit for making the boldest proposals of any candidate in the presidential race. The astonishing reality of the federal government’s budget situation, however, is that even his plans might not be enough to keep Uncle Sam out of bankruptcy. While President Obama offers a $3.8 trillion budget that optimistically might cut the federal deficit to $575 billion by 2018, federal data suggest the United States is already broke. The Federal Reserve estimates that the net value of all private assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, businesses, cash, etc., is $57 trillion. But the Treasury Department estimates the federal government’s net worth is a negative $61 trillion. Here are five budget realities that no candidate wants to acknowledge:
The Daily Reckoning
Debt outpacing growth and the case of Japan

Japan couldn't trick its way out of an economic meltdown, and neither can the US.
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.
Stocks bounce on low interest rate promises

The Dow rose 83 points to close at 12758, its highest close since May 2011, after the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero for almost three more years.
What can be done to create jobs? Six leading ideas.

The job market has shown some very welcome signs of improvement lately, but it still has a long way to go before approaching something Americans would call normal. Here’s a look at some of the proposed solutions out there.
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.
The Circle Bastiat
Wait, did the Fed bail out a bank last week?

The evidence is circumstantial, but some think that the Federal Reserve's spending indicates that it may have bailed out a major bank.
US stocks dive after ECB doesn't act

US stocks on the Dow dropped 198 points to close at 11997 after the head of the European Central Bank said there was no plan for purchases of European government bonds. The drop in US stocks was the worst since November.
5 financial steps to take before you buy a car

The 2012 car models will soon roll out to dealerships. If you’re looking to buy a car, you've undoubtedly done your research in advance about the right model and trim. The key to affording your dream ride works the same way: Get your financial situation under control before you step foot on the car lot. Here are five crucial steps to take that will help you save thousands of dollars when you buy a car:
The Circle Bastiat
Why the banking system is broken

One major problem is low interest rates, which mean banks earn little money on the deposits they lend out
The New Economy
Fixed mortgage rates: How low will they go?

Fixed mortgage rates could go down another half percentage point. But if refinancing can save serious money now, homeowners should grab lower fixed mortgage rates now.
The Reformed Broker
ECB rate cuts won't fix Greece

The European Central Bank may cut rates in October
Stock market jitters: Eight reasons investors are on edge

Stock markets have been swinging wildly of late. Even though corporate earnings have shown strength over the past year and not all economic indicators have been gloomy, investors are on edge. Uncertainty looms on several fronts – from concerns about the basic health of the economy to doubts about fiscal policies in the United States and Europe. Here's a look at the forces weighing on investors' outlook:
Stefan Karlsson
The Fed's new easing scheme

Long term interest rates will fall, making monetary conditions "easier"
Lower interest rates: So what?

Lower interest rates for mortgages, other loans could help consumers. But Fed's move to lower interest rates hurts savers and may not buoy stocks.
Treasury bonds soar, yields drop on Fed plan

Treasury bonds set new lows for interest rates. Federal Reserve plans to push down interest rates on Treasury bonds to try to get the economy expanding more quickly.
Treasury bond market intervention: Can Fed boost economy?

Treasury bond market could be subject to Federal Reserve 'twist' – selling short-term securities to buy long-term ones. The treasury bond market move could lower mortgage rates – or stoke inflation.
The Circle Bastiat
Why Bernanke's analysis is wrong

Washington leadership's anti-market rhetoric is to blame for our current economic woes