The dollar slipped against the euro on Tuesday amid anticipation that European officials will help Greece lower its mounting debt.
Want more proof that the U.S. economy is still in a fragile state? Consider this. People are still holding back on buying burgers, soda and beer. So much for fast food, soft drinks and booze being recession-proof.
Question: We're in our late 60s, retired and have a comfortable amount of money in retirement accounts, mostly mutual funds. My husband wants to liquidate most of our holdings and put the proceeds in money market funds, laddered CDs, maybe an annuity, as he fears the political situation will lead to another recession. Is he right? --Sharon, Kennewick, Washington
With 14.8 million people out of work, competition for new jobs is easing ever so slightly, according to a government report released Tuesday.
Employers are getting hit with a massive tax hike at a time when they can least afford it.
U.S. stocks were set to open higher Tuesday, as investors eyed buying opportunities after the previous session's selloff, although worries about debt problems in Greece remained in focus.
Employees who took a hit on their savings last year might finally be in for some welcome news: Companies are stepping up efforts to help them save more for retirement.
The Dow closed below 10,000 Monday for the first time in three months, with financial shares leading the way, as worries about the U.S. economy and European debt weighed on investor sentiment.
If you watched the Super Bowl Sunday night, you saw at least two unprecedented events: The New Orleans Saints won their first championship, and Google ran an ad for its search engine on television.
The ads for this year's Super Bowl ran the gamut from popular TV shows to celebrity cameos to motherly love -- but the oddest and most omnipresent theme was men without pants.
The dollar slipped against the euro on Tuesday amid anticipation that European officials will help Greece lower its mounting debt.
Want more proof that the U.S. economy is still in a fragile state? Consider this. People are still holding back on buying burgers, soda and beer. So much for fast food, soft drinks and booze being recession-proof.
Question: We're in our late 60s, retired and have a comfortable amount of money in retirement accounts, mostly mutual funds. My husband wants to liquidate most of our holdings and put the proceeds in money market funds, laddered CDs, maybe an annuity, as he fears the political situation will lead to another recession. Is he right? --Sharon, Kennewick, Washington
With 14.8 million people out of work, competition for new jobs is easing ever so slightly, according to a government report released Tuesday.
Employers are getting hit with a massive tax hike at a time when they can least afford it.
U.S. stocks were set to open higher Tuesday, as investors eyed buying opportunities after the previous session's selloff, although worries about debt problems in Greece remained in focus.
Employees who took a hit on their savings last year might finally be in for some welcome news: Companies are stepping up efforts to help them save more for retirement.
The Dow closed below 10,000 Monday for the first time in three months, with financial shares leading the way, as worries about the U.S. economy and European debt weighed on investor sentiment.
If you watched the Super Bowl Sunday night, you saw at least two unprecedented events: The New Orleans Saints won their first championship, and Google ran an ad for its search engine on television.
The ads for this year's Super Bowl ran the gamut from popular TV shows to celebrity cameos to motherly love -- but the oddest and most omnipresent theme was men without pants.
The dollar weakened against the euro Monday, but held firm against other major currencies, as concerns about Greece's fiscal health eased slightly.
Treasurys were mixed Monday as investors prepare for a weekly offering of U.S. debt, worth $81 billion, amid ongoing concerns about struggling European economies.
President Obama has been talking -- a lot -- about what Washington needs to do to help save small businesses. Over the past week, he's introduced a half-dozen different initiatives aimed at unlocking credit, creating jobs and expanding the Small Business Administration's loan programs.
U.S. stocks were headed for a weak start Monday, as investors remain nervous about the debt situation in Europe.
Stocks erased big losses by the close Friday, with technology shares leading the advance, following a three-session rout that had taken the market to its lowest point since last fall.
Treasurys rose Friday as concerns about struggling European economies overshadowed a mixed U.S. jobs report and boosted demand for safe-haven assets.
When the Senate grudgingly reconfirmed Ben Bernanke as Fed chairman two days before his term expired, he was only a stand-in for the man 30 senators were really mad at. "I knew that he would continue the legacy of Alan Greenspan, and I was right," said an angry Jim Bunning, a conservative Republican from Kentucky who voted no. Fumed Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the Senate's only (admitted) socialist: "He said it publicly -- I want to follow in the footsteps of Alan Greenspan. Alan Greenspan's philosophy is a disaster." Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said Bernanke "helped set the fire that destroyed our economy." Only helped, that is -- and we all know whom he helped.
The dollar rose against its main trading partners Friday amid ongoing concerns about sovereign debt problems in Europe and a mixed report on the U.S. job market.
Investors are starting to get nervous again. And who could blame them?
The government's monthly job report on Friday showed that the disastrous labor situation plaguing the nation's economy is moderating. But the report also underlines an unsettling reality: 8.4 million jobs have been vaporized since the recession began, and digging out won't be easy.
Recently, a wonderful, terrific, incredible thing in my life happened, but I'm still having a little trouble embracing the good news.
The Obama White House likes to say that the theories of John Maynard Keynes form the foundation for its fiscal policies. Most notably, it draws upon the legendary British economist's idea of spending big to pull out of a recession.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seized on the falling unemployment rate Friday as evidence of Democratic-led success in reversing the economic downturn.
Despite modest January job losses the good news for job seekers is that after a brutal recession that swallowed stimulus packages whole with barely a burp, the business cycle is finally your friend in 2010.
Senate Democrats are expected to take up President Obama's call and start rolling out their job creation package by week's end.
As Haiti continues to dig out from the earthquake that leveled Port-au-Prince, local microlenders are gearing up to begin rebuilding the country's shattered economy.
The dollar rose against most major currencies Thursday, but remained weak against the yen, as concerns about the global economic recovery -- particularly in some European nations -- boosted demand for safe investments.
The midterm elections are nine months away, but it's not too early to begin handicapping them -- from a dollars and cents vantage point, that is.
As bad as the government's jobs readings numbers have been during the Great Recession, we'll soon find out the real situation likely was worse.
You don't understand. You updated your résumé, you're applying to jobs every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you network every day.
The number of Americans filing for initial unemployment insurance rose last week, the government said Thursday.
U.S. stocks were poised for a lower open Thursday, with losses escalating after a dismal report on the job market.
Question: I'm 34 and have yet to begin saving for retirement. I'm considering participating in my company's 401(k) plan, but I'm unsure whether to do so since my employer doesn't match my contribution. What do you advise? --Nikia, New York, New York
Luckily for banks, the commercial real estate time bomb just keeps on ticking.
America's smallest businesses shed another 12,000 workers last month, extending a two-year streak in which job losses have mounted every month, according to a report released Wednesday by payroll processor ADP.
As the new evangelist for entrepreneurship, President Obama is finally on the right track. Mentioning "small business" 14 times in his State of the Union address last week, he pledged to increase small business lending and provide tax incentives to jump-start new jobs.
The dollar firmed against major rivals Wednesday on stronger U.S. economic data and renewed credit concerns in the euro zone.
Uncertainly about the future prospects for jobs in America got even foggier Wednesday as two reports on job cuts revealed conflicting results.
President Obama took his renewed jobs push beyond the Washington beltway again Tuesday, heading to the politically critical state of New Hampshire for a town hall meeting.
U.S. auto sales rose 6% in January, although results were generally disappointing. Sales were hurt by weak demand from consumers and the well-publicized problems at Toyota Motor.
The dollar fell Tuesday as investors gravitated toward more risky currencies, but declines were limited ahead of key economic reports due out later in the week.
President Obama called on Congress Tuesday to recycle $30 billion of the remaining Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds into a new government lending program offering super-cheap capital to community banks that boost their small business lending this year.
The number of U.S. metropolitan areas with jobless rates above 15% increased in December, according to government figures released Tuesday.
No matter what dollar doomsayers might say, the greenback's not done yet.
They're not calling it Stimulus 2, but the Obama administration wants to extend the life of several Recovery Act provisions by building them into the federal budget.
The dollar rose against most currencies Monday after upbeat reports, including data on U.S. manufacturing, added to recovery hopes.
President Obama revealed a $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 on Monday that tries to balance two competing goals: continued government spending to boost the fragile economic recovery and controlling the nation's deficit.
If you haven't bought a spot for your Super Bowl ad, then you're too late.
The worst month on Wall Street in nearly a year has left market pros and retail investors wondering if the long-in-the-works correction is finally here.
Democratic efforts to pass a health care bill have stalled a bit, and the immediate focus may be shifting toward health insurance reform instead of quickly trying to pass a comprehensive bill, White House officials signaled Sunday.
Bill and Melinda Gates on Friday made the largest donation ever to a single cause: $10 billion to develop vaccines for the world's poorest nations.
The U.S. economy grew at the fastest pace in more than six years during the fourth quarter of 2009, according to a government report Friday.
Oil prices reversed gains Friday as recovery concerns persisted, despite a report showing that the U.S. economy grew last quarter at its fastest pace in more than six years.
Americans cashed in 3.3 billion coupons in 2009, a 27 percent jump from the previous year when news of the financial crisis tipped the country into recession, according to a new report.
The dollar rose against its main trading partners Friday as investors welcomed a stronger-than-expected reading on U.S. economic growth.
Treasurys rose Friday, recovering from earlier losses, as ongoing concerns about the global economy overshadowed a stronger-than-expected report on U.S. gross domestic product.
When President Obama called last month for a new tax break to spur job creation, critics blasted him for offering no specifics. On Friday, Obama filled in the details: He wants to give businesses a $5,000 tax credit for each net new employee they hire this year.
Stocks cut earlier losses Friday afternoon as investors digested a report showing GDP grew at the fastest pace in six years but remained wary about the outlook for the economy.
Interesting times lie ahead for Ben Bernanke.
In one of his many applause lines at Wednesday night's State of the Union address, President Obama emphasized the importance of American exports: "Tonight, we set a new goal," he said, "We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America." It's no surprise that people cheered; what's not to like? There's just one problem: Growing exports is almost entirely out of the president's -- and even business's -- hands.
The top-grossing movie in the world, Avatar, is on screens now, and it clearly identifies the most evil force in the universe. It's business.
U.S. stocks were set to open higher Friday as upbeat earnings and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's confirmation helped improve the mood after the previous session's big selloff.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was confirmed for a second term Thursday by the U.S. Senate.
In his State of the Union speech Wednesday night, President Obama touted a slew of federal initiatives aimed at stimulating small business hiring and growth. Again.
Does anyone really believe a little populist outcry will make Goldman Sachs crawl under a rock?
The number of Americans filing for initial unemployment insurance fell last week, the government said Thursday.
U.S. stocks poised for modest gains at the open Thursday, boosted by Ford's first full-year profit since 2005, President Obama's pledge to create jobs and the Federal Reserve's outlook for the economy.
The dollar was mixed Thursday as traders mulled President Obama's pledge to create jobs and ongoing concerns about global economic growth.
Cities in the so-called Sand States dominated the foreclosure rankings in 2009, with the 20 worst-hit metro areas residing in Nevada, Florida, California and Arizona.
Boosting employment tops the to-do list in Washington this year.
What if, at once, we could create millions of new jobs, greatly reduce the federal deficit and dampen the financial speculation that almost destroyed our economy?
Being out of work is taking a toll on job seekers. But even those with a job are getting fed up. Layoffs, diminished benefits, pay cuts and extra workload burdens are finally pushing many disgruntled workers right out the door.
Stocks climbed Wednesday, ending a choppy session higher after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and hinted it would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Apple introduced its new iPad tablet computer.
The dollar extended its gains against the euro and rose against the yen Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve announced plans to hold interest rates steady as it said economic conditions continued to pick up.
Treasurys were mixed late Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged near zero.
Economist Nouriel Roubini said Wednesday that asset bubbles are beginning to form in markets around the world, and he called for more regulation of the global financial system.
The Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy continues to show signs of modest improvement but signaled it will stay the course and keep interest rates low to help spur a recovery.
This is the statement of the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting in December, released on January 27, 2010. For analysis of the Fed's interest rate policy and this statement, please see Fed: Recovery gaining strength.
Oil prices fell Wednesday as traders looked past the Federal Reserve's latest policy statement to focus on signs that energy demand remains weak.
The markets might be a heck of a lot calmer if everybody in Washington would just shut up. Of course, that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Job fairs are notorious for long lines and lackluster results, but that doesn't mean they can't lead you to a job.
One of the most important questions surrounding the stimulus program is also one of the most controversial: How many jobs has it created?
New home sales plunged to a 9-month low in December, according to a government report issued Wednesday.
U.S. stocks were poised to advance Wednesday, as investors prepared for the release of the Federal Reserve's policy statement.
AIG and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have become targets of an investigation into whether the overseer had instructed the troubled insurer not to disclose certain key information to the public.
Stocks struggled Tuesday as a late-session selloff in the financial sector cut into an earlier rally that had been sparked by Apple's record quarterly results and a stronger reading on consumer confidence.
One roadblock slowing Obama's foreclosure prevention program seems to be clearing up. Bank of America, the nation's largest mortgage lender, announced Tuesday that it was the first lender to sign an agreement to lower or eliminate payments on second mortgages.
The dollar rose against other major currencies Tuesday, except the yen, as global economic jitters boosted demand for safe-haven currencies even as U.S. stocks rebounded.
If insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result, the post-crisis pay plans in the finance industry qualify for commitment. The Wall Street financial firms claim to have made some changes, but all the ones we have seen so far are cosmetic, required by statute, weakened by loopholes, or circumvented.
Oil prices fell below $75 Tuesday as concerns about global economic growth overshadowed a rebound in U.S. stock markets.
Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's raised the prospect of a downgrade in Japan's sovereign debt rating Tuesday. That's reigniting fears that the U.S. could be next.
It's no secret that the government is borrowing huge sums of money. What may surprise you is how much of it is coming from the United States.
The U.S. government's fiscal outlook is "daunting," with deficits averaging at least $600 billion a year over the next decade, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday.
Just a year after he unleashed a flood of dollars in a bid to prevent a second Great Depression, Ben Bernanke's job is on the line. More than a dozen senators have said they will oppose the Fed chairman's reappointment after his first term ends on Jan. 31. The rest of the vote counting is still in question.
It was the sort of boom-era project that a developer had to love: 385 scenic acres in the Bahamas that would be transformed into a casino, hotels, luxury residences, a marina, and a golf course designed by Greg Norman.
Question: My wife and I are both over 50 and plan to convert $115,000 in traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs this year to take advantage of the one-year reprieve on income limits on conversions. Our question: can we each also make regular annual contributions to a Roth IRA this year? We earn about $100,000 a year combined, but we're worried that the $115,000 of taxable income we'll have to recognize because of the conversion will put us over the income eligibility limit for annual Roth IRA contributions. Can you clear this up for us? -- Bob, Souderton, Penn.
Two very different views on where oil prices are going by the year's end are emerging - one says $60 or lower, the other $100 or higher, and there's little consensus as to which is right.
U.S. stocks were poised for a lower open Tuesday amid concerns of a slowdown in China and ahead of the start of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting.
1. Your parents may be getting sold on these
Congress will soon spar over how to spur jobs.
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