Economy

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.0 percent in June, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The June level of 218.815 (1982-84=100) was…

Last month, in a post called 'Chart of the day: real hourly earnings' I said that U.S. real wage rates were lower today than they were a generation ago on the eve of the first oil hock. hat's pretty poor. Today 'UK Bubble' highlights the…

We bailed out Bear Stearns. We have effectively said we are bailing out Fannie and Freddie. Who's next? All of this is only going to increase U.S. Government debt. Is this where we're headed? Note the last part in red: From 2002:…

When people start losing their jobs, spending goes down. Nothing ties this credit crisis to the real economy like unemployment. And in the UK, it's rising fast.The Office for National Statistics said the amount of people claiming…

Remember the money center banks' ludicrous attempt to pretty up those off-balance sheet vehicles via the 'Super SIV?' Well, that was a clear bust. But, the toxic waste in those vehicles is still there. Some of these vehicles have been…

Apparently, the Bush administration isn't just waterboarding its detainees; it's doing much, much more. I can't hope this book will get enough press because the American people are completely apathetic, but this is a travesty. Does it…

This is just a step en route to nationalization. We are seeing a spiral down that will mean the U.S. Government will eventually step in. These organizations will fail without government support and they are too big to fail.Fannie Mae and…

Back in June, I wrote about financial investors in bank shares having lost $10 billion. Then, I predicted that losses would mount and bank shares will fall. It seems that one part of that equation is true already as bank shares have…

As financial shares take a beating, it is a good opportunity to highlight the differential treatment of accounting for loans and for debentures and securities because this bodes ill for regional banks. FAS 157 The crux of the difference…

This comes from the LA Times: October 7, 2003, Simi Valley In Simi Valley, in 2003, people camped out for the chance to buy a yet-unbuilt condo for about $300,000. Photo Credit: Bob Carey, L.A.Times July 14, 2008, Pasadena…