Mar 13th, 2010 · The gap between the personal wealth of white and black Americans has grown wider. That's the takeaway from a report, released this week by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Guest host Jacki Lyden speaks with Dr. Julianne Malveaux, an economist and president of Bennett College, about the so-called "racial wealth gap."
Mar 10th, 2010 · Inventories dropped 0.2 percent, while sales increased for a 10th consecutive month, up a solid 1.3 percent. Economists hope the steady rise in sales will prompt more inventory restocking, triggering increased factory production and providing support for the fledgling economic recovery.
Mar 5th, 2010 · Energy Star labels and miles-per-gallon vehicle ratings aren't enticing enough consumers toward energy-saving options, according to economist Hunt Allcott. Allcott explains how new research in behavioral economics might help lead consumers to more energy-efficient choices.
Mar 5th, 2010 · In this election year, Democrats are having second thoughts about free trade. Some House members want to repeal NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. And some Senators are worried about the stimulus bill sending or financing jobs overseas. Free trade may fly with economists, but it can be a hard sell on at home with near 10 percent unemployment.
Mar 5th, 2010 · Nobody expects much improvement in the unemployment rate due out Friday morning. The last monthly report from the Labor Department showed unemployment at 9.7 percent. Economists predict the number may be a little higher when February's data is announced.
Mar 4th, 2010 · A variety of merchants, from luxury retailers to discount chains, reported the strongest gains in retail sales since November 2007. The upbeat news helped soothe fears among some economists that weak consumer spending might make the economic recovery short-lived.
Mar 4th, 2010 · The White House is preemptively blaming the weather for a possibly bleak jobs report on Friday. Blizzards blanketed much of the Northeast last month, preventing some people from getting to work, and getting paid. Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial, discusses the upcoming report.
Feb 24th, 2010 · The Commerce Department reported sales dropped 11.2 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 309,000 units, the lowest level on records going back nearly a half century. The big drop was a surprise to economists who had expected sales would rebound.