Republican leaders may be worried about the Federal Reserve's second round of quantitative easing, but the stock and credit markets are delighted: They've improved significantly since the plan was announced. But can the rally be solely attributed to QE2?
If the agreement between congressional Republicans and President Obama is ratified, Pimco, which manages the world's largest bond fund, says the stimulative measure will contribute much to economic growth -- and to the deficit.
DailyFinance writer Jonathan Berr sees much to like in the compromise President Obama reached with congressional Republicans on taxes and unemployment compensation. And while he'd never call it perfect, as he notes, the American voters elect politicians to get stuff done, which this plan does.
President Obama insists that his agreement with Republicans will help working people avoid a pay cut. But as tax experts look at the full package more closely, it has become clear that low-end wage earners will indeed take a painful hit.
The tax cut compromise between Obama and the GOP is now being touted as a back-door stimulus plan, one that some economists predict will create or save 3.1 million jobs. Unfortunately, the model on which those forecasts are based makes some flawed assumptions.
Nouriel Roubini, the NYU economics professor who has earned the nickname "Dr. Doom" for his predictions, says he's concerned the tax cut compromise struck by President Obama and GOP leaders could expose the U.S. to bond vigilantes who will drive up bond yields, resulting in higher borrowing costs for the federal government.
If the extension of the Bush tax cuts triggers a market rally, as many expect, investors will likely rush in. But caution is advised: High prices can also mean high risk. Here are some tips from Alan Lancz, director of research at LanczGlobal.com, on how investors can avoid getting burned.
The Senate failed to pass a bill that would have extended tax cuts for all but the richest Americans on Saturday, falling nine votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. This means that all tax cuts will likely be extended.
While most people support extending at least some of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts due to expire this year, a new Gallup/USA Today survey finds that Americans are deeply divided on which cuts should continue -- and for how long.