Inventories and War Spending Keep Economy Growing in First Quarter

Washington, D.C. (Center for Economic and Policy Research) by Dean Baker: GDP eked out a 0.6 percent gain for the second consecutive quarter as a jump in inventories and defense spending kept GDP in positive territory. Sales of final goods actually fell by 0.2 percent in the quarter, only the second decline since the last [...]

Housing Crisis evaporates $6 trillion in personal wealth

Los Angeles (LATIMES): A Washington think tank is warning that housing prices are falling at an accelerating level, destroying wealth at a pace that will cost the average homeowner $85,000 in lost wealth this year alone.
The projections by the Center for Economic and Policy Research are based on the numbers in Tuesday’s Case-Shiller home price [...]

Federal Reserve Drops Fed Funds Rate to 2%

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by a quarter-point, a smaller move than the aggressive easing it undertook earlier this year.
The Fed action, announced Wednesday after a two-day regular meeting, pushed the federal funds rate down to 2 percent, its lowest level since late 2004. It marked the seventh [...]

Rev. Wright and Obama

Oil prices slip as Dollar Rises

VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Oil prices slipped Wednesday, adding to their steep slide of more than $3 a barrel in the previous session on a strengthening U.S. dollar and data showing a dramatic drop in American fuel demand.
Easing concerns about supplies also put a lower ceiling on prices.
Trading was cautious in Asia as market participants [...]