Bernanke Offers Wit and Wisdom to Princeton Grads
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has a sense of humor, which he showcased Sunday at the commencement of this year's batch of Princeton grads.
economics
Economists' Excel Error Undermines Influential Paper
Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff are economics luminaries, with chairs at Harvard and stints at the IMF. But is their most famous argument the result of an Excel mistake?
Would Democracy Work Better If You Could Buy More Votes?
In Tuesday's election, millions of eligible voters didn't care enough to vote. Millions more were so energized they'd have voted twice if they could. So why not let them? University of Chicago economics professor Glen Weyl thinks letting people buy extra votes could be good for democracy, and our budget issues, too.\
To Score Off Linsanity, Businesses Use a Fast Break
With Jeremy Lin's standout performances bringing a sudden shine to the otherwise lackluster New York Knicks, a number of companies have hitched their wagons to his star to buff up their brands. And with the value of such an association easy to see, why wouldn't they?
Overstock Gears Up for Global Growth
Online retailer Overstock.com ended its last fiscal year on a strong note, and now it's gearing up for an international expansion. Outspoken CEO Patrick Byrne discusses the company, as well as his views on sales tax, short selling and the economy.
U.S. Economy Heading for 'Goldilocks' Scenario?
The economy appears to be heading into a rare, but oft-predicted, scenario of strong growth and low inflation called "Goldilocks." While it's been called before, experts might be right this time around.
Can Economic Theories Save Your Marriage?
Economic theories have long helped investors improve their portfolios, but can they also help improve your marriage? A new book called Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marriage and Dirty Dishes, argues the answer is yes.
The Scariest Part of Soaring Oil Prices: Investors' Fears
Recent market sell-offs may have been more about paranoia than about real risk. JPMorgan calculations indicate that the potential impact of rising oil prices on the economy may be less than most investors think. But the fear factor itself also can't be overlooked.
Buddhist Economics? Raj Patel Suggests a New Idea of Value
Worried about the meaning of existence? You might want to check out Raj Patel's best-selling book The Value of Nothing. Its message about how we value -- and misvalue -- the world and ourselves charts a middle path toward a society in which our economic choices aren't dominated by Big Brother or big corporations.
Oil Prices Fall on Fears of Slow U.S. Economic Recovery
Oil prices fell Friday in Asia after the U.S. Labor Department reported that more unemployed workers applied for aid last week. Fears that the U.S. economic recovery could be slow is keeping oil investors wary.
QE2 Continues: Fed Finds Some Economic Improvement
The U.S. economy has strengthened, but not enough for the government to pare down its bond-buying program, according to the latest Fed minutes. In late 2010, investments rose and the job market improved -- but the housing market remained depressed.
Europe's Next Economic Crisis: Spain
Just as the euro has begun recovering from Ireland's meltdown, another financial crisis is brewing in Spain. The country could be headed for a bailout or reorganization, experts say. How low could the euro go?
The Good News Behind the Growing National Debt
The deficit grew to a higher-than-expected $150.4 billion in November as government spending increased for the month. But November brought some bright spots as well: Federal revenue also grew at a higher rate in November, which confirms that the economy is expanding.
Economy Still Growing Despite Jobs Report
The dismal November jobs report has commentators pointing derisively to a "jobless recovery." But investors shouldn't overreact: Employers have historically held off on hiring when the stock market has been volatile.
Climbing Oil Prices Threaten Economic Recovery
Light crude oil prices have been climbing in the last few days, closing the week at $88.94 per barrel on the NYMEX. If prices climb high enough, it could damage the still-weak economy by raising the costs of gasoline, jet fuel and petroleum-based chemicals. How high is too high?
Bloomberg Ranks Top 10 U.S. Economic Analysts
When it comes to predicting the U.S. economy, who has the best crystal ball? Lou Crandall, chief economist at economic advisory firm Wrightson ICAP, according to Bloomberg Markets magazine's new list of top analysts released Thursday.
The Case for Sustainable Business as Good Business
In Sustainable Excellence, Aron Cramer and Zachary Karabell make a compelling argument that profits and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. Their hype-free research is thorough, with wide-ranging examples at companies big and small. And it's perfectly timed.
IBM Shares Hit All-Time High, Surpassing Dot-Com Boom Prices
IBM shares soared 69 cents past their record high, set during the dot-com boom, to reach $139.88 per share before closing at $139.66 per share Monday. The rally reflects a slight market upswing and news of strong quarterly earnings from a competitor.
Bernanke: U.S. Deficit Is Growing Economic Threat
The Federal Reserve chief warned Monday that the government must figure out how to shrink huge budget deficits, which now pose a "real and growing" threat to the U.S. economy.
Why the Risk of Deflation Worries the Fed
Lower prices may sound nice, but deflation can wreck an economy with pay cuts, lower profits and falling stock prices.
Stimulus Sticker Shock: Estimated Pricetag Grows $27 Billion
What will the stimulus really cost? The Congressional Budget Office estimates $814 billion. That's less than the office's estimate of $862 billion in January, but more than the original estimate of $787 billion.
