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The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.
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Author Archives: Christopher S. Rugaber
Consumer inflation may be peaking, economists say
After weeks of pain at the gas pump and the grocery store, the worst appears to be over. Oil prices have fallen, with gas soon to follow. Read More
Consumer prices rise moderately but inflation tame
Consumer prices rose moderately in October but there was little sign of inflation as the cost of autos, clothing and hotels fell.
The Labor Department said Wednesday, November 17, the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.2 percent last month, an increase from September’s 0.1 percent rise. Wall Street analysts had expected a slightly larger increase. It was the fourth straight rise. Gasoline prices accounted for most of the increase, rising by 4.6 percent in October, the biggest gain since July.
Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the core consumer index…read more Read More
Consumer prices, excluding gas, flat last month
Consumer prices, excluding energy, were flat in September for the second straight month, a sign that cost-conscious consumers are making it difficult for businesses to charge more . . . read more Read More
Jobless claims rise to highest level in 9 months
Employers appear to be laying off workers again as the economic recovery weakens. The number of people applying for unemployment benefits reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November . . . read more Read More
Companies hire at slow pace for 3rd straight month
Companies showed a lack of confidence about hiring for a third straight month in July, making it likely the economy will grow more slowly the rest of the year. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent . . . read more Read More
Unemployment aid won’t be enough to boost recovery
For jobless Americans struggling to pay their bills and keep their homes, the restoration of unemployment benefits could keep their crisis from getting worse . . . read more Read More
Cautious consumers may fuel debate over deficits
A tepid gain in consumer spending last month could fuel a debate over whether the United States and other governments should further stimulate their economies to sustain the recovery.
A report that Americans spent cautiously in May came after world leaders meeting in Toronto over the weekend pledged to reduce government deficits by . . . read more Read More
Highlights from the Fed’s latest economic survey
The Federal Reserve’s survey of economic conditions found growth has spread to all parts of the country for the first time since the recession began.
The survey, released Wednesday, June 16, and known as the Beige Book, is based on information collected from the Fed’s 12 regional bank districts. The last time the 12 regions all showed growth was in late 2007 . . . read more Read More
Millions of jobs that were cut won’t likely return
Fewer construction workers will be needed. Don’t expect as many interior designers or advertising copywriters, either. Retailers will get by with leaner staffs.
The economy is strengthening. But millions of jobs lost in the recession could be gone for good.
And unlike in past recessions, jobs in the beleaguered manufacturing sector aren’t the only ones likely lost forever. What sets the Great Recession apart is the variety of jobs that may not return.
That helps explain why economists think it will take at least five years for the economy to regain the 8.2 million jobs . . . read more Read More
Economy 101: High unemployment holds down pay
Employers are finally ramping up hiring, but they’re not paying their existing workers much more.
Hourly pay barely rose last month, according to the Labor Department’s April jobs report, as employees have little bargaining power to demand higher wages. . . . read more Read More
Reports show more Americans feel economic recovery
A flurry of reports out Wednesday, April 14, suggested that many Americans are feeling better about the economic rebound.
Retail spending rose sharply and more than expected. Consumer inflation remains all but invisible. Businesses are boosting their stockpiles in anticipation of higher shopper demand.
And Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expressed confidence that the recovery will endure . . . read more Read More
Small businesses still searching for the recovery
Small businesses are still waiting for the economic rebound that’s enabled larger companies to obtain low-interest credit and to boost exports and production in recent months.
Smaller companies aren’t much more optimistic than they were in the depths of the recession, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business.
That pessimism is slowing job creation and likely weakening the recovery . . . read more Read More
Unemployment rises in 30 states in January
Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
The data is somewhat better than December, when 43 states reported higher unemployment rates, but worse than November, when rates fell in most states.
Still, five states reported record-high joblessness in January: California, at 12.5 percent; South Carolina, 12.6 percent; Florida, 11.9 percent; North Carolina, 11.1 percent; and Georgia, 10.4 percent.
Michigan’s unemployment rate is still the nation’s highest, at 14.3 percent, followed by Nevada, with 13 percent and Rhode Island at 12.7 percent. South Carolina and California round out the top five.
There were some signs of job creation . . . read more Read More
Drop in jobless rate points to modest improvement
The job market is lurching toward improvement. It just has a long way to go.
The outlook for jobs became a bit less bleak Friday the 5th when the government released January’s unemployment rate . . . read more Read More
