Topic: U.S. Federal Reserve

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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?
Five signs Americans are forgetting recession's lessons

Declining savings is one of five signs that American households are forgetting the lessons of the Great Recession:
Debt-ceiling showdown: 4 reasons it's not a replay of 2011

In 2011, Congress and President Obama went to the brink of government default when congressional Republicans balked at raising the nation's debt ceiling. The spring of 2013 appears to have another debt ceiling fight in store. Here are the top four things that have changed.
Six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong

Mitt Romney’s economic plan is largely based on a whitepaper written by several “heavyweight” economists. The problem is, it's riddled with fundamental flaws. Here are six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong about what ails the American economy and how to fix it.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 3 ways they differ on regulation

Wall Street is a big target – blamed for the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession. Mitt Romney says efforts to rein in financiers via more regulation are an attack on “economic freedom.” President Obama says new regulations would make it “more profitable to play by the rules than to game the system.” Here are three specifics on which the two differ.

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Stocks end flat after HP shocker, Fed warning

Dow drops less than 8 points despite Bernanke warming of 'fiscal cliff' dangers and HP disclosure that it will have to take an $8.8 billion charge for accounting 'improprieties' at a company it acquired last year.
Paper Economy Industrial production falls in October

Total industrial production declined 0.43 percent since September 2012, according to the Federal Reserve's monthly read of industrial production and capacity utilization.
Stocks finish higher on optimism over budget talks

Stocks started lower Friday but spiked higher shortly before midday as the top members of the House and Senate spoke at the White House following a closed-door session with President Obama.
Saving Money How to pick the right credit card if you are retired

Retirees should look for easy-to-understand credit-card terms and low-tech customer service. Avoid carrying a balance because finance charges can quickly diminish retirees' modest monthly income.
Stocks slide as impasse over budget deficit looms

Stocks fell sharply Wednesday despite a signal from the Federal Reserve that it could launch a program to speed job growth.
Paper Economy Mortgage rates down from last week

The average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage decreased 6 basis point to 3.43 percent since last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly applications survey.
Fearing 'cliff,' investors finish brutal week

Wall Street finished one of the worst weeks of the year Friday, pushing Washington to work out a deal to avoid the tax increases and government spending cuts.
Student loans rise, boosting consumer credit

Student loans and auto loans increased in September, boosting consumer borrowing to a record level. But while student loans were on the rise, consumers cut back on credit card borrowing.
Stocks slide on Wall Street, extending sell-off

The potential for gridlock in Washington sent stocks spiraling downward for a second day straight Thursday. The Dow closed down 121 points, or nearly 1 percent.
As 'fiscal cliff' looms, stock markets shudder at economic 'uncertainty'

Tuesday's election has stirred stock markets' concerns about the economy, with the Dow Jones falling 2 percent Wednesday. The reason: Washington appears poised for gridlock – again.
Opinion: To grow the economy, we must shrink President Obama's big government

US unemployment remains high. Job creation is lackluster. GDP growth is sluggish. Each of these measure should be higher. Lawmakers must reverse the harm of Obama's big-government policies by stopping Taxmageddon, eliminating red tape, and reforming entitlement programs.
Six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong

Mitt Romney’s economic plan is largely based on a whitepaper written by several “heavyweight” economists. The problem is, it's riddled with fundamental flaws. Here are six points where Mitt Romney and his economic advisers are mostly wrong about what ails the American economy and how to fix it.
Mortgage rates slip back toward record lows

Mortgage rates edge down this week to 3.39 percent for a 30-year loan. As mortgage rates have fallen this year to record lows, home sales and refinancings have picked up
Paper Economy Mortgage rates up from last week

The latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased one basis point to 3.53 percent since last week.
Cover Story Is Europe really on the brink?

Europe's biggest crisis in the postwar era is not just about the economy. It's about a search for identity – and a rationale for staying unified.
Stocks edge higher, breaking a weeklong slump

Stocks eked out the week's second day of gains Thursday after flipping between gains and losses for most of the day. A strong report from Procter & Gamble boosted stocks early in the day.
The Monitor's View: Oh, the ease of blaming others in a crisis

When earthquake experts are sentenced for bad predictions and lenders accused of bad calls on mortgages, society needs a reminder that individuals are responsible for their actions.
Robert Reich How Obama can defeat Romney: Break up the big banks.

President Barack Obama should counter Mitt Romney’s extraordinary solicitude toward Wall Street with a proposal to cap the size of the nation’s biggest banks, Reich writes.
High earnings, low inflation propel stocks upward

Low inflation and decent earnings reports sent stocks upward Tuesday. Stocks in nine out of 10 industry groups in the S&P 500 index rose.
Paper Economy Industrial production up in September

Industrial production increased 0.41 percent since August 2012 and rose 2.81 percent above the level seen in September 2011, according to the Federal Reserve.
The Monitor's View: Why Romney, Obama must drop the fear-mongering

In their political ads and presidential debates, Mitt Romney and President Obama worsen economic uncertainty by using fear tactics and pandering to special interests. The economy needs the certainty of a political consensus.
Will US economy rebound in 2013? Forecasters say not much.

An improved housing market and better auto sales are expected to boost US economic growth in 2013, but slowing economies in China and Europe will be a net drag. Meanwhile, Congress will 'kick the can down the road' on extending Bush tax cuts, economic forecasters predict.
Mortgage rates rise from last week's record lows

Mortgage rates in the US rose to an average 3.39 percent last week, up from 3.36 percent. Last week's 30-year mortgage rates were the lowest since long-term mortgages began in the 1950s.
Gloomy outlook from Chevron, Alcoa sinks stocks for third straight day

Stocks slumped Wednesday after Chevron and Alcoa issued pessimistic reports. Energy and materials stocks, whose fortunes hinge on economic growth, dropped the most.
Paper Economy Mortgage rates flat in latest report

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage went flat at 3.45 percent since last week while the purchase application volume declined 3 percent.