Topic: Mark Zandi

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Is Gary Johnson right about shovel-ready jobs? 5 infrastructure challenges.

Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson scored a rhetorical winner in a Republican debate Thursday by saying that his neighbor's dogs 'have created more shovel-ready jobs than this current administration.' But President Obama's latest jobs plan includes a call for more spending on roads and bridges, an idea that has at least some Republican support. Here's a look at the debate over infrastructure and the economy.
09/23/2011 06:44 pm

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The New Economy Jobs report stronger than expected in June. What happens next?

The economy added 195,000 jobs in June, a strong showing that beat analysts' expectations. Steady job growth is good news, but it means that higher interest rates and an easing of Federal Reserve bond buying could come sooner rather than later, putting investors on edge.
Focus Whatever happened to the great 'sequester' smackdown?

Signs of any economic duress from the 'sequester' are few and far between four months in. But the $85 billion in federal spending cuts slated for this fiscal year are likely to be felt as summer deepens.
US economy creates 175,000 jobs in May – too few to lower unemployment rate (+video)

The unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent in May, up from 7.5 percent. As a result, it's unlikely that the Federal Reserve will taper off its monthly buying of securities, which has helped to buoy the housing market.
Why no sign of 'sequester' cuts in perky April jobs report?

Economic doom and gloom were supposed to follow the 'sequester' cuts in federal spending, but there's no evidence in the April jobs report that the labor market has been hurt. Just wait, warn some economists.
The New Economy Jobs outlook: Housing growth will trump sequester woes

The economy should continue to add jobs despite the sequester. The jobs report shows the housing recovery bolstering employment. Homeowner optimism is likely to improve, too.
US economy turns south: Why many analysts see a blip, not a trend.

The US economy reversed more than three years of growth and fell 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012. The drop was driven, in part, by sharp declines in defense spending that some expect will be temporary.
Fiscal cliff debate: 'Lines of communication are open'

Spokespeople for both sides of the fiscal cliff debate indicated that they may be communicating. In the meantime, economists warned that failure to strike a deal could strike a blow to the economy, perhaps plunging the country back into recession.
The New Economy ADP employment report: Superstorm Sandy hit small firms hardest

Sandy trimmed job growth in November by 86,000 workers, ADP employment report says. Small businesses took the hardest hit, ADP says, creating the fewest jobs in nearly two years.
Economic toll of Sandy: Damage second only to Katrina?

Superstorm Sandy cut a path of destruction that could near $50 billion. Economic activity in New York City dipped 20 percent in storm's wake, but economists do not expect that Sandy will have a major impact on the nation's economic growth.
Hurricane Sandy: Economy should bounce back analysts say

Though hurricane Sandy will impact dozens of industries and cause billions in damages, experts say the economy should recover quickly with reconstruction after the storm.
Hurricane Sandy to cost billions. Will the economy stand?

Hurricane Sandy is causing disruptions for companies, travelers and consumers. But for the overall economy, damage from Hurricane Sandy will likely be limited. Economists estimate the damage will cost between $10 billion and $20 billion.
Time to refinance your mortgage? Rates hit historic lows.

Mortgage interest rates are at their lowest point since records have been kept. Last week, some 81 percent of the loans made were refinancings, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Gas prices, not jobs stats, are key numbers for voters (+video)

Gas prices and grocery bills are more likely to sway voters than the monthly jobs report, economists and pollsters say. Gas prices are nearing $4 per gallon and could be key in deciding the presidential race.
Do the jobs numbers matter to voters?

Republicans and Democrats use the monthly jobs report as a campaign tool and journalists analyze the numbers and political consequences ceaselessly. But for voters, circumstances in their own lives are better indicators of economic recovery.
Focus Public-sector belt-tightening: thrift, or long-term drag on US economy?

Since June 2009, 504,000 jobs have been cut among municipal employees. Public-sector reductions at the local level have subtracted almost a quarter of a percentage point from annual GDP each of the past four years.
Apple's earnings miss could undermine wobbly market

Apple stock falls in after-hours trading after it reports disappointing quarterly earnings and revenue. Apple faces same headwinds as other multinationals with lower earnings this quarter.
Focus Is Congress to blame for a downshifting US economy?

Evidence is mounting that the economy is taking a hit because Congress can't – or won't – deal with the 'fiscal cliff' looming at year's end. The fight on Capitol Hill last summer over the national debt limit also took an economic toll.
Gas prices poised to drop below $3 a gallon, as Fourth of July holiday nears

Gas prices in South Carolina are already at $2.98 a gallon, while the national average on Wednesday was $3.38. A decade-high number of travelers could hit the road for the Fourth of July holiday.
Focus Unpacking 'Romneyomics': how Mitt would adjust dials on the US economy

MItt Romney offers a prescription for the ailing US economy that hews to Republican principles. But it also has some unorthodox differences. Well-off Americans could get fewer government benefits and pay more for Medicare.
Economy adds 120,000 jobs. Why the dip from bigger gains in early 2012? (+video)

The unemployment rate fell from 8.3 percent to 8.2 percent in March. Economists had been expecting higher numbers of new jobs.
Gas prices: How much will they hurt the economy? (+video)

Gas prices are slated to hit new highs within months. How might that affect the modest economic recovery? Here's a clue: Every 10-cent rise per gallon in gas prices costs the US economy $11 billion.
US stocks shrug off higher gas prices to push Dow above 13,000

Better economic news from Europe helped lift US stocks past the symbolic plateau. The Dow last closed above 13,000 in May 2008, before the collapse of the housing market.
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.
Unemployment rate drops to 8.3 percent. Is that a problem for Mitt Romney?

It could become harder for Republicans such as Mitt Romney to blame President Obama for a lack of jobs. In January, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since February 2009.
The Vote Unemployment rate: How low can it go by Election Day? Under 8 percent?

Though the unemployment rate dipped to 8.5 percent last month, it remains uncomfortably high for a president seeking reelection. Economists crunch the numbers to see if it's possible for unemployment to dip to 8 percent by Election Day.