The Daily Economy
Retail Sales Bode Well For Second-Quarter Growth
It’s been a good week for good signs about the economy, and this morning offered more encouragement, as consumers showed resurgent buying activity. The Commerce Department reported a 1.2 percent increase in retail sales in May, along with upward revisions for the two prior months.
AIER’s Educational Programs Applauded
Two of AIER’s economic education programs received enthusiastic interest at the American Economic Association’s Conference on Teaching and Research in Economic Education that was held on May 27-29 in Minneapolis.
More Positive Momentum on Jobs
This morning we learned that job openings at employers nationwide have hit an all-time high, or at least since the Labor Department started collecting the data in 2001.
Which Inflation Rate Is Relevant For You?
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta offers a customized price index based on demographic characteristics. But for households planning a budget, AIER’s Everyday Price Index may prove more useful.
A Robust Rebound for Jobs in May
The strength in the May Employment Report released this morning suggests the economy is rebounding from a confluence of negative forces including the rising dollar that hurts exporters, the plunge in crude oil prices that has hurt the energy industry, disruptions from the west coast port labor issues, and lingering effects from harsh winter weather…
Theories About Why Wage Growth is Slow
The Wall Street Journal has an interesting take on why wage growth has been sluggish despite the general upward trend of the economy in recent years.
Good Signs for Friday’s Employment Report
We are getting our first peek into economic data from the month of May this week, and so far it looks good, says Bob Hughes, senior research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. That bodes well for Friday’s employment report, which is one of the key indicators of the strength of the economy.
Ripple Effects From Weak Growth in China
The story of China’s overproduction of industrial goods, and its impact on the world economy, is well told in The Wall Street Journal. This story explains how the U.S. tire industry is hurting due to an oversupply of tires from China. The country built up its manufacturing capability, only to see growth slow and prices…
A Guaranteed Way to Get Higher 401(k) Balances
Investors and professional financial advisors often focus on tweaking asset allocations in order to max out returns and reduce volatility. Professional money managers receive huge bonuses if they can outperform the market by even a modest amount. Following one set of guidelines or another may increase your returns, but there is no guarantee and no…
Don’t Be Misled By Weak GDP Numbers
Headlines this morning had a decidedly downbeat tone about the economy, as the Commerce Department revised downward the already lackluster first-quarter gross domestic product numbers. But our senior research fellow, Bob Hughes, said a closer reading of this morning’s data shows the economy really isn’t too bad.
AIER Hosts Columbia’s Knight-Bagehot Fellows
The Knight-Bagehot Fellows of the Columbia University’s School of Journalism visited AIER’s campus in Great Barrington, Mass., earlier this month to participate in a two-day series of seminars, discussions, and social events.
Is a Solar Powered Future Realistic?
Recent headlines suggest that after years of slow growth and marginal developments, solar energy may finally be poised to launch into the mainstream.
