Practical Economics

Gingrich's Economic Plan Political, Not Practical

His plan for a corporate moon base isn't the only far-out policy touted by Newt Gingrich.

Fixing the Budget: Don't Hold Your Breath

Waiting for the election to solve America’s fiscal problems? Guess again.

Predicting Elections With the Economy: More Art Than Science

When it comes to presidential elections, is it really the economy that matters?

Getting Tough with China

It's an election year, and once again the candidates' fancies have turned to bashing China. But will the victor be able to follow through?

The Economy: Four Lessons From 2011 for 2012

In many ways, this was a year to forget -- but we'd making a mistake not to learn from the past.

Myths of an Aging Workforce

The financial pressure to retire later is strong. The job market is woeful for younger workers. But that doesn't mean baby-boomers are hogging the jobs.

Finally, a Bottom for Home Prices

Plenty of people would like to set up their own household. More-affordable houses could bring them into the market.

Why You Still Need to Fund a College Education

If investing in a degree is like starting a business, then let's fund it that way: with equity instead of debt.

U.S. Can Survive a European Recession

A downturn in Europe will cut U.S. exports and raise credit costs, but won’t have a big impact.

Your Job Should Drive Your Savings Plan

Focus on your income prospects first. That will inform your investment strategy best.

Italy on the Economic Brink

The European nation’s long-overlooked problems will be much tougher to solve than Greece’s.

Global Government Finance Bubble Continues to Grow

Doug Noland, the Prudent Bear Fund senior portfolio manager, has predicted credit problems for years. What's he saying now?

Business Lending to Rise in 2012

Banks have healed from the financial crisis. They might even find themselves competing for customers.

The Fatal Flaw of Obama's Mortgage Plan

Until Americans see owning a home as a good investment again, housing will continue to be a drag on the economy.

A La Carte Pricing Spreads to More Industries

It’s not just airlines and hotels who are finding profit in splitting services up into a variety of fees.

Save the Savings Bond

They helped nurture sound money habits for the World War II generation, and they can help the next generation, if Uncle Sam would only listen.

Buying a New Car Is a Bet on a Better Tomorrow

A car-shopping excursion is a reminder of why Americans are the world’s most resilient consumers.

Congress Picks Wrong Fight with China

Scoring points on currency rates may make good political sense, but it's lousy policy.

Inflation Threat: Not Now, But Soon

Debt is the fuel for bad inflation, and our dysfunctional government is the match.

Holiday Sales Growth Will Surprise Retailers

Keeping costs in check will be the key to a profitable holiday season.

Soaking the Rich? Obama Faces Uphill Fight

Americans' enthusiasm for class warfare doesn't run deep.

Businesses Holding Onto Their Cash

Record profits in recent years have U.S. corporations sitting on a pile of cash. But they’re not willing to risk pouring much of into expansion plans as long as the economy remains weak.

A Lost Season for the NBA?

The prospect of empty basketball arenas spells revenue losses for many businesses.

Teaching Savings to Kids in Schools

What was once called thrift education is making a comeback as financial literacy. That’s good news in hard times.

Flagging Recovery Hints at Japan-like Malaise

Averting a recession may not lead to the kind of healthy recovery that has been the norm. This time, it could mean a long, painful period as an invalid.

Obama Stuck with High Unemployment

The president’s job creation plan is up against some tough numbers.

Extending the Payroll Tax Cut Is a Cop-out

Shell-shocked consumers aren’t putting the money into the economy, and neither would firms.

GOP Hopefuls Put Federal Reserve on Edge

With monetary policy now a campaign issue, Fed policymakers are finding many enemies, few friends.

You Can Still Count on U.S. Treasuries

Turns out the Great Recession is reaffirming traditional investing values.

IT: A Bright Spot in the Economy

Consumers and businesses may be tightfisted on most spending, but not when it comes to information technology.

The Good News on Social Security

All that’s needed are some nips and tucks to get the supplemental retirement program on a sounder financial path. The tougher problems are with Medicare and Medicaid.

Consumers: The Recovery Can't Rebound Without Them

The debt ceiling debacle and stock market slide have blunted consumer confidence.

Global Problems Threaten Fragile U.S. Recovery

European sovereign debt problems and slower emerging-market growth will weigh on the U.S. economic recovery.

China Likely to Hold U.S. Investments Despite Credit-Rating Downgrade

China won’t shun U.S. Treasury bonds, but Congress’ handling of the debt ceiling legislation—and the downgrading of America’s credit rating—is fanning Beijing’s discontent over U.S. economic policies.

U.S. Voters, Politicians to Blame for Ignoring National Debt Woes

Like my waistline, America’s long-term debt situation has changed. With the S&P's downgrade of the U.S.' credit rating, we’re belatedly accepting the truth.

Markets' Scary Week Fueled by Fear, Not Fundamentals

When emotion rules the markets, watch out.

Washington Fiddles as Economy Teeters

The economy is sending warnings of a slowdown, but Congress, Obama aren’t listening.

Big Firms Prosper as Small Business Struggles

Record corporate profits suggest that the economy should be booming. But small firms — the main engine for job growth — still have it tough, particularly at the bank.

A Midyear Resolution for Your Personal Finances

Don’t despair if you're behind on saving. We've got three ideas for reviving your New Year's vows.

Tough Times Ahead for American Workers

Even many of those lucky enough to have jobs will find stagnant wages, shrinking benefits and less clout.

The Consequences of Failing to Raise the Debt Ceiling

Who'll get stiffed — Social Security beneficiaries, federal workers or the businesses that sell goods and services to Uncle Sam — if the U.S. Treasury's coffers come up short?

Washington's Last Hope to Prod Economy

Stimulus, easy money, tax relief -- all done with. So what kind of debt deal can really put us on the right track?

Robert Shiller Predicts Home Prices Will Fall Some More

Despite an uptick in home prices, the noted economist sees more trouble ahead for the housing market.

Economist Carmen Reinhart Shares Her Grim Outlook for the U.S. Economy

The senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics predicts five more years of slow growth and high unemployment.

Debt Ceiling Standoff: Will the Financial Markets Force a Deal?

Lawmakers who play with fire by letting Treasuries flirt with default may end up getting burned at the ballot box.

It Just Feels Like a Double-dip Recession

With housing continuing to wallow at the bottom and millions of pink-slipped workers still unemployed, it seems as if the economy is sliding back into recession. But is it?

Inflation Worries Lurk in U.S. and Abroad

Prices may rise quickly if the economy picks up steam.

The Weak Dollar: When Is Enough Enough?

The buck has fallen significantly over the past two years, but the decline has failed to make much of an impact on the nation’s trade and current account deficits.

"Made in the USA" Makes a Comeback

Wells Capital Management strategist Jim Paulsen says shifting currency values tilt the balance in favor of U.S. producers.

The Future of Personal Finance

As the U.S. population ages and globalization creates more competition for money-management services, information technology will get smarter, too. But can tech help hedge your risks in investing and retirement planning?

Firms Find the Lending Rules Have Changed

Going forward, business fundamentals will be more important than owners' personal finances.

Why Housing Has a "Buy" Sign on It

With price declines and a bottom in sight, odds are improving that first-time home buyers will see positive returns over time.

How Big Is the Risk of Inflation?

Gasoline’s huge price overshadows rising prices for airfares, used cars, beef and other items.

U.S. and China: The End of Outsourcing?

Making it in America is looking more appealing to some firms.

Can U.S. Trade Its Way Out of a Slump?

Obama’s plan to double exports over five years to help create jobs is off to a slow start.

A Tech Bubble? What Tech Bubble?

Today’s social networking is far different from the dot-com craze that blew up in 2000.

Americans Finding More Jobs, in More Categories

Though there’s still too much slack in the workforce, the improvement is palpable.

At Last, Robust Job Growth

What's more, the gains can be found across the country and in a wide range of professions.

Housing Will Add to the Economy's Growth This Year

The sector’s collapse is just about over, but don’t look for the typical boomy recovery.

Japan's Disasters Pose a Slight Risk to the U.S. Economy

The devastation will likely hit Japan hard, and slow overal global growth from 4.2% to 4% this year. But the direct impact on the U.S. will be modest.

More Firms Are Finally Hiring

It’s too early, though, for unchecked optimism.

Oil, Gas Prices Ride Mideast Worries

How high will they go? Much depends on Saudi Arabia.

Peter Schiff: "We're in the Early Stages of a Depression"

This well-known bear warns us about the country's heavy debt burden, rising interest rates, surging oil prices and more problems brewing.

Smoother Road Ahead for Economy

As the economy travels along still-icy roads, there are growing signs that the pace is about to pick up.

Bernanke Taking His Case to the People

As inflation hawks and others peck at the Fed’s easy money policy, its chief is mounting an unusual defense.

GOP Targeting Bernanke and the Fed

Republican opponents of the central bank have their eyes on its mission to promote employment.

Economy Shows Signs of Growth

Consumers are spending. The next step is for businesses to start hiring.

How the Financial Crisis in Europe May Impact the United States

Simon Johnson, the former chief economist of the IMF, offers his take on troubles across the pond and lessons the U.S. can learn from them.

Washington's Next Stimulus Plan

Congress is readying an economic booster shot that should deliver jobs, economic growth -- and a bigger deficit.

Euro-style Debt Disaster? Not Here

The deficit causes problems, but America won’t follow in the footsteps of Ireland and Greece.

Some of the Unemployed May Never Work Again

More folks than ever before have been out of a job for a year or more. The prognosis for them isn't good. And that spells bad news for the economy.

Robert Shiller Sees More Housing Pain Ahead

The Yale economist who called the housing bubble says foreclosure-gate is sapping confidence and more home price declines are likely.

Will the Fed Buy Trillions in Treasuries?

Monetary policymakers are squaring off about what, if anything, to do to give the floundering economic recovery a shot in the arm.

Housing Holds Key to Economy's Direction

As the latest banking debacle unfolds, and calls for a moratorium on foreclosures mount, the outlook for home prices may spell the difference between modest economic growth and recession.

Trade Gap No Worry for Economic Growth

Remember how a sharply widening trade gap in June sparked concerns about waning economic growth? Never mind.

Modest Gains in August Hiring a Good Omen

Look past the official count of job losses in August: Private employers are adding to payrolls.

Worries About Tomorrow Hold Back
Economic Growth Today

It may not be true that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, but it’s certainly true that lack of confidence is reining in an economy otherwise poised for gains.

Fed Acknowledges Slower Recovery
But Stays Confident

Federal Reserve policymakers change course only slightly after tipping their hats to disappointing data.

The Fed's Options to Jump-Start the Economy

Odds are the second half of this year will bring brisker economic gains. But if recent sluggishness persists, with interest rates already at rock bottom, what else can the Fed do?