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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Behind the Senate deal on housing relief

The $15 billion compromise bill includes tax breaks for builders and buyers.
Some signs of optimism on economy

Banks raise capital; senators look at a bipartisan mortgage-rescue package.
Bernanke: Bear Stearns collapse threatened economy

At a congressional hearing Thursday, the Fed chairman defended the rescue of the investment bank.
Opinion: Lessons from Japan's slump

US policymakers take note: Let markets clear.
Paulson proposes major new role for the Fed

The central bank would oversee all financial markets, under a new plan.
Might the Fed profit from the financial crisis?

Its intervention at Bear Stearns shows a change in attitude toward investment banks.
Mortgage mess: Who gets help and who pays?

Debate over what's fair and what's wise is likely to intensify as US tries to contain the crisis.
What's in your wallet?

People carry money about, save it, and spend it, but often know almost nothing about it.
Congress looking for broader fixes for U.S. economy

On the Hill, bills range from rule changes allowing judges to rewrite mortgage terms to a financial-sector overhaul.
Signs the U.S. dollar free fall is ending

The greenback has bounced back a bit after hitting a record low against the euro last week.
As dollar sinks, Thais struggle to keep economy afloat

Thailand boomed on exports to the US. Now it's looking at populist incentives to stimulate growth.
What economic slowdown? Some spots still boom

Some states and many cities expect growth because they have the right industries or resources at the right time.
Recession is a given. Can we avoid depression?

Economists wonder if the Bush administration is ideologically inclined to do what's needed to rescue economy.
A Week's Worth: Quick takes on the world of work and money

Dow drops before inching back, produce labels you can trust, a rise in workplace harassment.
Can U.S. avert a Japan-style economic bust?

Similar crises have hit other nations, but Sweden bounced back far faster than Japan.
Opinion: What Spitzer's fall says about us

What sort of flaws render a person unfit for office?
Fed cuts interest rates, but lenders still wary

Despite a 3/4-point rate cut Tuesday, mortgages are costlier than a month ago.
USA
As crisis deepens, Fed steps up role

The collapse of Bear Stearns sends the central bank scrambling to ease fears.
Bernanke and Paulson: economy's two key crisis managers

The Fed chairman and the Treasury secretary face tough scrutiny as policymakers.
Paulson outlines fix-it plan for credit crisis

Treasury secretary calls for tighter reins on financial markets as mortgage turmoil continues.
Fed's bold $200 billion move

The central bank's unusual cash infusion aims to keep banks lending.
To fix U.S. credit mess, timing is critical

Risks rise if the Federal Reserve and Treasury move too slow – or too fast.
Job losses' ramifications far-reaching

Some expect Fed to cut rates by three-quarters of a point.
Will commodities boom last

As oil and gold prices hit record highs, and grains stay up, speculators rush in.