Topic: U.S. Economy

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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan

President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
Immigration reform bill: Top 8 changes GOP senators want

More than 300 amendments were submitted for possible inclusion in a sweeping immigration reform package – at least 100 of them from two Republicans, Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Here are eight notable changes GOP lawmakers want to see in bill, as the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up amendments between now and Memorial Day.
Fortune 500: Top 10 companies in 2013

Fortune has released its annual list of the largest corporations in the United States, and there were a few notable changes in this year’s group. Here are the Top 10.
Top 5 bull markets since 1929

The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
Immigration reform: where things stand now

As congressional negotiators approach their self-imposed targets of early April to lay out immigration reform legislation, some notorious sticking points appear to be more well-settled than others.

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Energy Voices Jobs report: the energy connection to growth

Growth in the energy sector is one of many factors contributing to a healthy jobs report. Unconventional oil and gas production have created more than 1 million jobs with 800,000 more expected by 2015.
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.
Stocks rise on burst of hiring

Stocks rose on Wall Street Friday on news that US employers added 236,000 jobs last month. Stocks have also been boosted by continuing economic stimulus from the Federal Reserve.
Vox News Bill O'Reilly goes ballistic on Alan Colmes. Preplanned?

Fox News host Bill O'Reilly started yelling at guest Alan Colmes earlier this week when discussing President Obama and budget cuts. It was an odd development that points to deeper issues.
Energy Voices Keystone XL pipeline will create 35 permanent jobs, State Department says

The Keystone XL pipeline will generate about 42,100 jobs in the construction phase, but leave only 35 permanent jobs to operate the pipeline, a new State Department report says.
February unemployment report: What kind of jobs is the economy creating?

The US economy added 236,000 jobs last month, with construction and health care being two big contributors. However, 12 million Americans are still officially counted as unemployed.
Stocks rise on drop in unemployment

Stocks closed up on Wall Street Thursday on the latest evidence that hiring is picking up. Optimism that the housing market is recovering is also pushing stocks higher.
Tax VOX How should the government measure inflation?

Republicans and many economists argue for shifting to a more accurate inflation measure, Gleckman writes, but a new report suggests that move would raise taxes by nearly as much as it would slow Social Security spending over the next decade.
Sign of good times? Stocks surpass 2007 peak as Dow hits all-time high.

The Dow stock index just hit a historic high, but with unemployment at 7.9 percent, many Americans aren't sharing the euphoria. Still, such markers can be turning points in a recovery.
Energy Voices Are high oil prices pushing us towards debt limits?

The US is reaching debt limits because of a specific resource limit – lack of inexpensive oil, Tverberg writes.
The Monitor's View: A global contest of values in EU-US-China trade

As China endorses a reformer as president and the EU and US plan a free-trade pact, the competition to set trade rules heats up. A EU-US pact would strengthen their economies and send a signal to China to take more responsibility for higher trade standards.
Stocks rise, pushing Dow back near record

Stocks closed up on Wall Street Monday as stock investors largely ignored early concerns about China. The Dow Jones industrial average neared its record closing level.
John Kerry: US to release $250M in Egypt aid

John Kerry also served notice that the Obama administration will keep close watch on how Morsi, who came to power in June, honors his commitment and that additional US assistance would depend on it.
Personal income drops, but consumer spending up in January

The US Commerce Department released its figures for the first month of the new year Friday.
Energy Voices Demand weak, but gas prices heading to $4, anyway

Gas prices are moving higher, apparently because of price moves for Brent crude and limited refining capacity. Will Wall Street fall as gas prices rise toward $4 a gallon?
Spending cuts: As Washington frets, Wall Street shrugs (so far)

Spending cuts set to pummel most government programs starting today so far haven't had much effect on investors. The $85 billion in across-the-board 'sequestration' cuts were expected to cause airport delays, disrupt public services and result in lower pay or layoffs for millions of government workers.
Obama's plan to replace the 'sequester': Does the math add up?

President Obama wants to replace the sequester with a package of spending cuts and tax revenues adding up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years. But some say that's not enough savings.
Stocks fade as Dow nears, then pulls away from record

Stocks closed lower Thursday with the Dow easing back from its highest level of the year. The day started with stocks plodding along indecisively, before sending stock investors on a whipsaw day
Revised GDP: US economy actually grew in fourth quarter, but barely

Growth of the US economy in the fourth quarter wasn't negative after all, revised GDP figures show. But the new 0.1 percent rate is still lower than what many economists expected.
Energy Voices Why globalization is energy intensive and wreaks havoc on oil prices

Globalization uses up finite resources like oil and coal more quickly, Tverberg writes. It also increases carbon dioxide emissions and acts to increase world oil prices, she adds.
Stocks soar; Dow nears all-time high

Stocks rose on Wall Street for a second day Wednesday. The stock market surged on good news from retailers and the US housing market. The Dow came within 100 points of its all-time high.
'Sequester' harm to economy? Maybe for longer than you think.

Economists say spending cuts from the budget sequester will slow growth in the GDP somewhat in the near term. But a new analysis says a reduction in innovation could double the long-term impact.
Ben Bernanke: Bring down the federal debt, don't just 'stabilize' it

Reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio is the most important long-term fiscal policy for the US, said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke during his semiannual report to Congress.
Why most Americans are yawning over 'sequester' – and why that matters

Only 1 in 4 Americans is following the debate over 'the sequester,' and even fewer say they understand it, a new poll shows. If the spending cuts take effect and more people pay attention, Obama's public support could slip.
Readers Write: Strengthen families to curb gun violence; less government, better economy

Letters to the Editor for the February 25, 2013 weekly print issue: Until America strengthens its families society will continue to struggle with selfishness and violence; Government is not a multiplier. It is a subtracter. A government can print money, but it cannot produce wealth.