FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012   ECONOMICS: Jobless claims fall, manufacturing holds up http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-jobless-claims-idUSBRE82E0LV20120316 Economic growth showed signs of becoming more self-sustaining as the number of Americans claiming new jobless benefits fell back to a four-year low last week and manufacturing activity in the Northeast picked up this month. But the impact of higher oil prices … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012   ECONOMICS: Budget Feud Erupts Again http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303863404577281852993334574.html Republicans are likely to unveil a budget plan next week that will cut 2013 federal spending below the level the two parties negotiated last August, prompting Democrats to complain that they are reneging on the agreement. GOP leaders respond that the figure, reached after … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012   ECONOMICS: House Republican leaders set to break budget deal http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/14/us-usa-politics-budget-idUSBRE82D06V20120314 Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are ready to break a hard-fought budget deal with Democrats as they try to quell a revolt by conservatives who are insisting on deeper spending cuts ahead of the November elections. House Republican … Continue reading →

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012   ECONOMICS: Fed seen biding time, assessing jobs gains http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/13/us-usa-fed-idUSBRE82C09D20120313 The Federal Reserve on Tuesday is expected to hold a steady course on monetary policy, acknowledging a mildly brighter economic outlook while refraining from any suggestion that further easing is now off the table. Indeed, the central bank, sifting through conflicting … Continue reading →

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2012   ECONOMICS: Latest Stress Tests Are Expected to Show Progress at Most Banks http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/business/new-stress-tests-expected-to-show-progress-at-most-banks.html In another milestone in the banking industry’s recovery from the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve this week will release the results of its latest stress tests, which are expected to show broadly improved balance sheets at most … Continue reading →

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012   ECONOMICS: OPINION: The Merits of a Corporate Tax Overhaul Laura D’Andrea Tyson http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/the-merits-of-a-corporate-tax-overhaul/ Corporate tax reform is not usually a major issue in a presidential campaign, but it may be this year. President Obama has introduced a bold framework for a business tax overhaul. His framework is already under attack from … Continue reading →

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012   ECONOMICS: ‘Sterilized’ Bond Buying an Option in Fed Arsenal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204276304577265803925182234.html Federal Reserve officials are considering a new type of bond-buying program designed to subdue worries about future inflation if they decide to take new steps to boost the economy in the months ahead. Under the new approach, the Fed would … Continue reading →

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2012   ECONOMICS: Young Adults See Their Pay Decline http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204276304577265510046126438.html Young people entering the job market are taking the brunt of the downward pressure on wages caused by high unemployment, according to a new analysis of pay trends. In data compiled for a coming report, the Economic Policy Institute, a center-left think … Continue reading →