recession

Stories 1101 - 1120 | << Prev   Next >>

Economists See Rising Risk of Recession

Nearly all in survey say Fed must take strong action, cut rates

(Newser) - Economists are painting a bleak picture of the US economy next year, with the housing mess, reduced job growth, and rising unemployment putting the likelihood of recession at its highest level in three years, the Wall Street Journal reports. Nearly all the economists surveyed by the paper said the Fed...

Dems Pitch Own Mortgage Plans
Dems Pitch Own Mortgage Plans

Dems Pitch Own Mortgage Plans

They say Bush's freeze falls short

(Newser) - Democratic candidates are criticizing President Bush's plan to bail out homeowners in the subprime mess for not going far enough and have outlined their own, more ambitious, proposals, the New York Times reports. "It appears that the president is pushing a freeze for a very narrow group of borrowers,...

In '08, It's Really the Economy, Stupid

Worried over job, credit, health woes, voters put Iraq on back burner

(Newser) - With gas prices stratospheric, the housing market tanking, and recession looking likely, voters aren't too worried about Iraq, reports the Wall Street Journal. Job concerns have transformed illegal immigration and health care into major issues. “You have to have a health plan even in the Republican primary,” says...

The 'R-Word' Surfaces on Wall Street
The 'R-Word' Surfaces on Wall Street

The 'R-Word' Surfaces on Wall Street

'Odds of a recession are pretty damn high,' says analyst

(Newser) - Wall Street has the recession jitters: Markets are down 10% since October, the S&P 500 is down as analysts predict depressed earnings, and T-bills are down on anticipated Fed rate cuts. But there’s a flip side: Holiday sales gained 8.3% over 2006, unemployment is at 4.7%,...

Goldman Sees $2T Credit Shortfall, Major Slowdown

Nobel winner, investment firm warn of growing risk

(Newser) - The subprime mortgage crisis that has cost financial companies $400 billion and triggered what one banker is calling the worst housing market since the Great Depression will force a $2 trillion credit squeeze that could set off a “substantial recession” in the US, reports Bloomberg. Goldman Sachs said the...

Bernanke Sees Q4 Slowdown
Bernanke Sees Q4 Slowdown

Bernanke Sees Q4 Slowdown

Fed chief sees economy as 'resilient' but growth slow through this quarter

(Newser) - Economic growth will slow "noticeably" through the end of the year and into 2008, Fed chief Ben Bernanke said in prepared testimony for a congressional panel today. Bernanke called the economy "resilient," but said the housing slump will intensify before it's over, the Wall Street Journal reports....

Calif. Budget Falls Prey to Housing Crisis

Governator orders across-the-board cuts as deficit nears $10B

(Newser) - With the housing crisis laying waste to California’s coffers, Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday ordered all state agencies to cut budgets by 10%, the LA Times reports. “We are among a handful of states that has a lot of exposure to the housing crash,” said an economist. Property, sales,...

CA Fires Won't Harm Economy in Long Term

Rebuilding will give a boost to sagging home building sector

(Newser) - California’s runaway wildfires are not likely to do longterm damage to the state’s economy, the Los Angeles Times reports—in fact the disaster could be a boon to some sectors. One of those is construction: In the first nine months of the year, construction jobs were down 3%...

More People Skipping Basics to Pay the Bills

Analysts shocked as food banks run short, stores adjust prices

(Newser) - More Americans are skipping breakfast and other basics just to pay the bills, the AP reports. With gas hitting highs this year and food prices up as much as 44%, even $35,000-plus wage earners are lining up for food, and food banks report acute shortages. One consultant says he...

Housing Still a Drag: Fed Chief
Housing Still a Drag: Fed Chief

Housing Still a Drag: Fed Chief

Setbacks likely, says Bernanke, who offers no hints on interest rate status

(Newser) - The real estate slump will continue to be a "significant drag" on US economic growth well into next year, said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in his first speech on the economy since August. Recovery from the credit crisis will take time, and setbacks are likely, Bernanke told the...

Retail Sales Ease Recession Worries
Retail Sales Ease Recession Worries

Retail Sales Ease Recession Worries

Unexpectedly rosy September numbers offset fears over housing, credit markets

(Newser) - Retail sales rose significantly more than expected in September. Analysts attribute the surge, announced today, to more jobs and better wages. Coming in the wake of gloomy numbers the big chains released yesterday, it should quiet fears of a recession. "You can't have a recession if consumers are continuing...

A New High: 1% of Rich Have 21.1% of Riches

Wealthiest hundredth raked in one-fifth of income: IRS

(Newser) - The wealthiest 1% of Americans hit a 21.1% record share of the nation's income, according to IRS figures released yesterday. While the data don't point to a specific cause, the Journal cites the heretofore booming stock market. The previous peak of 20.8% was in 2000, also at the...

Jobs Stats Propel Markets
Jobs Stats Propel Markets

Jobs Stats Propel Markets

(Newser) - The Dow and the S&P each set intraday records after today’s unexpectedly good jobs news, and the Nasdaq hit a 7-year high. The Dow closed at 14,066.01, up 91.70 points, and the S&P climbed 14.75 to 1,557.59 after indications that a...

Dow Flat, Awaiting Jobs Stats
Dow Flat, Awaiting Jobs Stats

Dow Flat, Awaiting Jobs Stats

Next Fed move may follow from Friday’s report

(Newser) - The stock market held steady today, as neither a drop in factory orders nor a rise in unemployment claims rattled investors bracing for tomorrow’s crucial jobs report—which could help spur the Fed’s next interest rate move. The Dow was up 6.26 points to 13,974.31,...

Consumer Confidence Plummets
Consumer Confidence Plummets

Consumer Confidence Plummets

Metric falls more than predicted on job fears, market turmoil

(Newser) - American consumers might need to be talked off some ledges, judging from consumer confidence numbers out today, which indicate continuing worry over employment and stock market unrest. The crucial figure—99.8, compared to 105.6 in August—is the lowest since 2005, the Conference Board says. Economists had expected...

Bush, Congress Score Lowest Approval Yet

Poll finds 29% give president thumbs-up; 11% for legislators

(Newser) - President Bush and Congress scored record-low approval ratings in a Reuters/Zogby poll released today. Bush dipped 1% below his previous Zogby approval rating of 30%; the legislative branch scored 11% approval, down 3% in August. And a new "mood index" showed the country as more unhappy than in July,...

Asia Stocks Surge After Fed Cut
Asia Stocks Surge After Fed Cut

Asia Stocks Surge After Fed Cut

Prices soar to highest levels in a month

(Newser) - Asian stocks rebounded after the US Federal Reserve announced a half point cut in its key lending rate in a bid to bolster growth and avoid a consumer spending slowdown. Toyota, Samsung Electronics and Honda, among those companies with the most to lose from a loss of consumer confidence, led...

Job Losses Don't Add Up to Recession... Yet

Analysts say 4-year-low might be caused by teachers on vacation

(Newser) - Eye-popping job numbers rippled through Wall Street yesterday, but analysts pooh-pooh recession fears as premature. “I think it is important we take a deep breath before screaming ‘A recession is now around the corner!’” one expert says. Four thousand lost jobs may be the worst depletion...

Dollar Plummets to 15-year Low
Dollar Plummets to 15-year Low

Dollar Plummets to 15-year Low

Job loss data fuels panic about US economy

(Newser) - Panic over the state of the US economy pushed the dollar to a 15-year low against major currencies yesterday. The drop came on larger-than-expected July payroll declines, data one analyst called “simply horrific.” Many fear that the credit crunch will drive down consumer spending, igniting a recession. Investors...

Stocks Plummet on Jobs Report
Stocks Plummet on Jobs Report

Stocks Plummet on Jobs Report

(Newser) - The Dow lost more than 1.5% of its value, or 249.97 points, to close at 13133.38 after a devastating report showed that 4,000 jobs were lost in August, the first increase in unemployment in four years. Wall Street had anticipated job growth, and the numbers prompted...

Stories 1101 - 1120 | << Prev   Next >>