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11/30/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Toyota Gets Stuck in a Pair of Ruts
A strengthening Japanese yen is eating into Toyota's profits. The firm's quality is suffering. Toyota's CEO, Akio Toyoda, notes that the appr ... More
11/30/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Toyota: DUPLICATE review
A strengthening Japanese yen is eating into Toyota's profits. The firm's quality is suffering. Toyota's CEO Toyoda notes that the appreciating yen ... More
11/30/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Lifeline of Credit for the Recovery
Access to credit is essential for market recovery. Loan demand is weak even as banks tighten their lending standards. The Federal Reserve is ... More
11/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
China's End Run Around the U.S.
President Obama is making his first state visit to East Asia on Nov. 13-19. He will participate in meetings in Japan, then the Asia-Pacific ... More
11/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Signs Say: Job Growth Ahead
The economy's return to growth in the third quarter is the most necessary condition for it to start gaining jobs.  Thus, despite the latest emplo ... More
11/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why This Bust is Different
The $6.4 trillion commercial real-estate market is challenged as the economy works its way out of the current recession. A combination of high pric ... More
11/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed: A Whole New Playbook for Tightening
The current economic recovery indicates that the Fed's extraordinary efforts and the government's stimulus package are working to shore up the f ... More
11/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The GDP Mirage
The GDP statistics released on Oct. 29 report a strong 3.5% annualized growth rate, above analysts' forecasts. This breaks the string of f ... More
11/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Housing Recovery with a Solid Foundation
With house price affordability on the rise and inventories shrinking, it seems that the housing sector is on the mend. This allowed homebu ... More
11/2/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Surprising Third-Quarter Pickup
A broad rebound in demand is a reason the GDP is expected to show healthy growth in the third quarter. Economists are projecting stronger GDP growth t ... More
11/2/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Who Picks Up the Tab for Health Reform
The odds of health-care reform making it through Congress this year are increasing as the focus turns to reconciling two Senate and three House propos ... More
10/26/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What Happens if the Dollar Crashes
After weakening gradually since 2002, the dollar rose during the financial crisis, and has risen 15% since March as investors moved to high ... More
10/26/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Waning Threat of Deflation
With an economic recovery underway, the downward pressure on prices and wages will start to diminish. This will cause the Fed policy makers to r ... More
10/19/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Earnings Forecast Is Upbeat
As productivity increases and labor costs fall, profits will grow in the quarters ahead as demand turns up. Profits in the first and secon ... More
10/19/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What's Holding India Back
Landowners who hold on to their small plots of land may stand in the way of development in India. Whether the government can force landowners ... More
10/12/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Recovery: It's The Herd vs. History
Economists are forecasting a weak recovery from the current recession. The average forecast of the 52 economists surveyed by the Blue Chip Econom ... More
10/12/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Turkey Turns Outward
Historically, a recession in Turkey results in a wild boom that triggers inflation, the currency collapses, and banking has a near-death expe ... More
10/5/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Peril and Promise of Investing in Russia
Despite significant economic challenges, many multinationals in Russia are digging in for the long run. Despite having projects ensnared with environm ... More
10/5/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Business Outlook: Business is Lean, Fit, and Ready to Grow
Emerging from the recession, U.S. corporate balance sheets - outside of the financial industry - are in a strong position. Businesses trimmed their ex ... More
9/28/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How the Global Economy Is Rebalancing
In 2006, the U.S. trade deficit totaled 6% of GDP, comparable to that of third-world countries.  This should have been a signal of difficult time ... More
9/28/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Do Shareholder Class Actions Make Sense?
Settlement agreements to resolve allegations of corporate wrongdoing often come out of the pockets of innocent shareholders, not the executives that c ... More
9/21/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Fewer Firings, but Will Jobs Stay Scarce?
Companies are still not certain that consumer demand has returned enough for them to hire back laid-off workers. While the news continues to b ... More
9/21/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
No Big Fix for Global Finance
In terms of economics, there is no big fix for global finance and new regulations will be tepid - and will leave the global system at risk. The recess ... More
9/14/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Turning On the Corporate Tap
The downturn in capital spending has been the worst since the Great Depression. But there are signs that corporations may be starting to spend ag ... More
9/14/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Budding Recovery Has Staying Power
Signs are that the real gross domestic product hit bottom in the second quarter and has started up.  The looming question is whether the recovery ... More
9/7/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Neither Borrowers nor Lenders be
Reluctant lenders and borrowers will be a drag on the economic recovery, according to the BusinessWeek article, "Neither Borrowers nor Lenders be" (Se ... More
9/7/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
CEO Pay: Is it Still out of Snyc?
Linking employee compensation to performance has long been an economic goal for corporations.  Amid painful downsizing, the question is how and h ... More
8/24/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Inflation? Not to Worry
With all of the Fed's stimulus money floating around in the economy, investors might be a bit nervous about the prospects for inflation. Thus, the Fed ... More
8/24/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Is Optimism a Competitive Advantage?
Most human resources managers believe that optimistic, engaged employees are more productive. Most organizations use survey data to determine the leve ... More
8/17/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Brazil's Coming Rebound
Brasilia has implemented a number of measures to keep the economy from stalling.  They include My House, My Life - a government program to help i ... More
8/17/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Greater Expectations for the Second Half
Economists now expect the U.S. economy to grow at a 2%-to-3% pace in the second half of 2009.  This, according to the BusinessWeek article, "Grea ... More
8/10/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Housing Upturn Suggests Recovery Is Near
With lower mortgage rates, declining prices, and first-time buyers, housing is beginning to recover. This improvement is expected to play ... More
8/10/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Still Stuck in the Fog of Recession
Stock prices are up, and corporate profits are beating analysts' forecasts of earnings, but executives are still reluctant to invest in fu ... More
8/3/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Second-Half Recovery Could Be Fleeting
Although output may rise to replace inventories that have been drawn down, the recovery will not take hold without a recovery in consumer spending.&nb ... More
8/3/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Incredible Shrinking Boomer Economy
Companies are working to develop strategies to respond to the newly found thrift of boomers. For example, Mercedes-Benz sold 99,000 vehicles  in ... More
7/27/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Resurgent Asia Will Lead the Global Recovery
Two years ago, proponents of a global decoupling of the economies of nations was in vogue.  The concept was that growth outside of the U.S. would ... More
7/27/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Time Bomb in Corporate Debt
Default on corporate debt tops 11%, up from 2.4% last year, and is expected to peak at 12.8% by year end, the highest ever according to Moody's Invest ... More
7/13/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
All This Austerity Will Pay Off—Eventually
Corporations have been in a cost-cutting mood since September's financial meltdown. As we prepare for the second half of 2009, it ap ... More
7/13/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Will Tax Breaks Boost Jobs?
States are kicking corporate tax incentives into overdrive in an effort to encourage firms to locate jobs in local communities. Economists ... More
7/6/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Family Doctor: A Remedy for Health-Care Costs?
Creating a patient-centered medical home is proposed by some as a solution to the rising costs of health care in the United States.  If every pat ... More
7/6/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed's Big Hand in the Bond Market
Higher long-term interest rates may threaten the housing recovery, but with investors worried about inflation, pumping more funds into the market to d ... More
6/29/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Consumers Won't Drive a Recovery
Since 2007, consumers have lost $13.9 trillion in household wealth.  This change led to their paying down debt and saving at a rate of 5.7% in Ap ... More
6/29/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Fed Isn't Igniting Inflation
To fight the recession, the Fed has unleashed a flood of money. Over the past year, the country's monetary base (bills and coins in circulation and ba ... More
6/22/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Signs of Progress on the Road to Recovery
Credit conditions seem to be loosening up following their virtual shut down in the fall following the Lehman Brothers crash.  The three pillars o ... More
6/22/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Reality Check on the Banks
There are signals that  the financial sector is recovering: Bank profits are up, share prices are increasing, and the government has given 10 ban ... More
6/15/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Wary Consumers May Hold Back Recovery
With rising gas prices and mortgage rates, consumers spent less in March and April than the month before. This trend does not bode well fo ... More
6/15/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
China's Eroding Advantage
The eroding cost advantages of China are making other countries a more attractive location for outsourcing. Many manufacturers are now ... More
6/8/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Glimmers of a Housing Turnaround
Recent data show that housing inventories are falling and first-time buyers have strong incentives to buy. This seems to indicate that the ... More
6/8/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
China's Doubts about the Dollar
Chinese criticisms of the American deficits are presented by Chinese central banker Zhou Xiaochuan, a respected economist, and therefore a ... More
6/1/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed Will Be in No Rush to Raise Rates
With the Federal Reserve's actions causing the credit crunch to ease, there are some signs that the economy will stabilize and return to growth after ... More
6/1/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
These Angels Go Where Others Fear to Tread
Josh Kopelman's venture capital firm First Round Capital is developing a portfolio of entrepreneurial projects to reward investors for taking the risk ... More
5/25/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Glimmers of Hope in the Profit Outlook
Based upon stronger outlooks for a quicker recovery, the S&P 500 stock index is up 37% from March 9 to the May 8 close.  Then concerns entere ... More
5/25/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Productivity's up, and That's a Worry
Despite the recession, American productivity, defined as output per worker hour, is up.  Nonfarm business productivity rose by 1.8% over the past ... More
5/18/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Real Recovery Will Hinge on Capital Spending
Companies are hesitant to expand until they see overall growth in demand and profits.  They are still chopping costs aggressively in an effo ... More
5/18/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Overseas Tax Squeeze
Proposals by the Obama administration to raise taxes on profits earned abroad has renewed a debate about an important issue for American corporat ... More
5/11/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Hints of Recovery - And Fears of Inflation
To ensure that the economy recovers, the Fed has pumped massive amounts of funds into the market.   As the economy hints at recovery, the ch ... More
5/11/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Inside GM, With the G-Men in Charge
As GM's executives work on a survival strategy ahead of a government-imposed deadline of June 1, scores of administration officials are camped out in ... More
5/4/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Take a Haircut now, Avoid Bankruptcy?
Distressed firms are taking on an opportunity to convince their debt holders to exchange their holdings for amounts less than par value.  For exa ... More
5/4/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Good News in a Shrinking GDP
While data indicates that the first-half GDP continues to decline, the positive news is that with inventories being cut faster than demand, the s ... More
4/27/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What Good Are Economists Anyway?
Having failed to predict the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, economists also can't agree how to solve it. Thus, what good are they?  To fi ... More
4/27/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Consumer Spending Steadies—For Now
Consumer spending has accounted for more than 70% of the ups and downs in yearly economic growth.  Thus, with large job losses, it seems that hou ... More
4/20/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Hidden Drag on the Economy
Contract workers have provided an increasing proportion of U.S. workers as companies work to keep health-care and retirement benefit costs down, along ... More
4/20/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Unemployment: How Bad It Could Get
The downturn in labor markets is becoming the worst since the 1930s.  The speed of the deterioration has been dramatic. Of the 5.1 million jobs l ... More
4/13/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Great Adjustment is Well Under Way
Households and businesses are quickly making significant adjustments to adapt to the new economic reality.  Households are saving at the highest ... More
4/13/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Loopholes Galore in Geithner's Plan
The Treasury's plan to cleanse banks of toxic assets through a complex web of auctions, public-private partnerships, and government guarantees is unde ... More
4/6/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Danger at the End of the Tunnel
The Federal Reserve has virtually unlimited resources to achieve its goals. In unprecedented moves, the Fed's balance sheet has expanded from $90 ... More
4/6/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Geithner's Plan: The Need for Speed
As Secretary of the Treasury Geithner revealed his detailed plan to team up with private investors to rid banks of their toxic assets, the stock marke ... More
3/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Dogfight Over the Rescue Plan
Economists are debating whether the stimulus will help or hinder the economy going forward, according to "A Dogfight Over the Rescue Plan," (BusinessW ... More
3/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Ray of Hope in Washington's War on Fear
Confidence is one of the major factors in the shaping of the current recession.  Lack of confidence has kept consumers from spending and bus ... More
3/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Waiting for the Bull to Return
The 53% plunge in the Dow Jones Industrials since October 2007 has devastated the savings plans of millions.  More than $10 trillion of stock-mar ... More
3/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Will the Obama Budget Hurt Private Borrowers?
The massive amount of borrowing that lies ahead in Washington threatens to raise the cost of credit for businesses.  Projections are for the rece ... More
3/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Job One: Build a Floor Under Housing
Stabilizing home prices is a critical first step for the economy to recover. At the beginning of 2006, 1.8 million new housing units were being built ... More
3/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Nationalization: Who Would Bear the Pain?
With continuing financial market turmoil, nationalization of big, weak banks is being openly discussed. While current Fed Chairman Bernanke indicates ... More
3/2/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Dealmakers Test the Waters
Mergers and acquisitions volume worldwide dropped from $42 trillion in 2007 to $29 trillion in 2008.  However, with credit markets beginning to r ... More
3/2/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Global Sluggishness Will Slow a U.S. Recovery
While the U.S. put together a massive stimulus package, other countries have been slower to act.  Thus, foreign trade will not be quick to provid ... More
2/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Stress Tests for the Obama Bailout
Treasury Secretary Geithner's lack of detail in unveiling the Obama bailout plan for financial institutions rattled financial markets.  The impor ... More
2/23/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Mixed Blessing of Soaring Productivity
Information technology has allowed U.S. companies to be quicker to adjust to changes in demand.  Rather than lagging behind the markets as was th ... More
2/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Consumer Spending Has Further to Fall
The three supports for consumer spending hit the wall in 2008.  The supports are income growth, credit availability, and wealth.  Consu ... More
2/16/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What Falling Prices Tell Us
In the last three months of 2008, consumer prices in the U.S. fell at an annual rate of nearly 13%. However, the deflationary pricing was not even acr ... More
2/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Waiting for 'Credit Easing' to Kick In
Getting credit back into the market is an important ingredient in an economic turnaround. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is launchi ... More
2/9/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
State Capitalism
A SUNY Albany effort in nanotechnology represents a new direction in economic strategy sweeping U.S. states. States have provided high inc ... More
1/26/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A New Menace to the Economy
"Zombies" are debtors that have little hope of recovery but manage to avoid being wiped out thanks to support from their lenders or the go ... More
1/26/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Business Breaks Out the Ax
The final quarter of 2008 experienced a sharp acceleration in job losses. Businesses entered 2009 in an all-out retrenchment mode. The rec ... More
1/19/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What the U.S. Can Learn from Japan
The 1990s have been described as a "lost decade" for the Japanese due to the ill health of its financial system that caused an economic slump tha ... More
1/19/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why Unemployment Won't Hit Double Digits
The current recession's unemployment is being compared with the 1981-82 recession, one of the deepest since the 1930s. Job losses are averaging m ... More
1/12/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Hidden in the Bad News, Signs of Life
The most important key to a second half 2009 return to economic growth is Washington policy, according to "Hidden in the Bad News, Signs of Life" (Bus ... More
1/12/2009 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Is Silicon Valley Losing its Magic?
Silicon Valley is going through a major transformation as the information technology capitol changes.  Venture firms that financed past ideas are ... More
12/29/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed's Fierce Battle Plan
The Fed's move on Dec. 16 to cut rates signals that it is in an all-out attack on the recession. With short-term rates at essentially zero ... More
12/29/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Deflation Maelstrom in the Making
The Federal Reserve has been taking increasingly aggressive new actions to restore the financial markets to create economic growth. As the ... More
12/22/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Great American Shopper Hits a Wall
American consumers kept spending  through downturns early in the 2000s, but the current slowdown in consumer spending portends an econo ... More
12/22/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Job Losses: Is the Panic Justified?
Economists are divided in their forecasts of the number of job losses that lie ahead in the current U.S. recession.  It is clear that a lot depen ... More
12/15/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How Risky is India?
The Mumbai seige has caused businesses to assess the risks inherent in the Indian economic miracle.  Good fundamentals and positive investor ... More
12/15/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed Opens the Floodgates
The Fed's latest actions to pump money into the banking system goes beyond its traditional actions of rate cuts.  Since mid-September, the Fed ha ... More
12/8/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What Citi's Predicament Is Telling Us
Citigroup's rescue by the government illustrates the challenges to our financial systems.  It illustrates what economists call a "negative f ... More
12/8/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What Have You Done to My Company?
Private equity firms have been a major force in the American business environment over the past decade.  By buying out firms and then r ... More
12/1/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
America's Lifeline—Exports—Is Fraying Fast
Over the past year, exports have been the lifeline for the U.S. economy. Without exports, the economy would have contracted 0. ... More
12/1/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Enough Shock Treatment?
Six decades of expanding growth for the world's advanced economies will probably end in 2009 due to the severe global credit crunch. ... More
11/24/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How Obama Will Stoke the Economy
With the economy continuing to slide deeper into recession, the new administration will need to address ways to stimulate the economy. Obama's ai ... More
11/24/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Profit Squeeze Has Only Begun
A broad global-economic slowdown will put significant pressure on corporate profits. While analysts may be forecasting a climb in earnings for S&P ... More
11/17/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Companies Slam on the Brakes
The fragile U.S. economy has been hit by two significant challenges this year, an oil related surge in inflation and the financial system crisis.  ... More
11/17/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The New Silk Road
Historic trade ties between Asia and the Middle East have been renewed with new trade and investment flows. Private equity funds from the Middle East ... More
11/10/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Real Risk of Deflation
While high inflation has been a focus of the Federal Reserve in the past, current credit-market issues and economic conditions raise th ... More
11/10/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why America Needs an Economic Strategy
Looking forward, a basic question is what the fundamental competitive position of the United States is. The challenge is that we have no l ... More
11/3/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Another Weak Spot: Shoppers Are Dropping
The current economic environment has consumers and businesses retrenching. According to the BusinessWeek article "Another Weak Spot: Shoppers Are Drop ... More
11/3/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Surviving the Storm
Economic history indicates that perhaps the current recession presents a perfect opportunity to make calculated bets. The survival guide in the B ... More
10/27/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Forget Adam Smith. Whatever Works
The U.S. government's partial nationalization of banks shifts fundamental economic thinking in the U.S. from an American free-market capitalism to&nbs ... More
10/27/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Direct Injection of Confidence
Recapitalization of banks in Europe and the U.S. does not change the downbeat economic data that indicate a recession is probable.  The coordinat ... More
10/20/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
This Recession Could be Mild but Long
Bold policy actions, falling inflation, and inventory adjustments indicate that the current recession will be milder than the traditional postwar rece ... More
10/20/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Credit-Card Blowup Ahead
While much of the current market focus is on mortgage debt and consumer defaults, the consumer's credit-card debt is looming.  There is over $950 ... More
10/13/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Recession Now Seems Unavoidable
The credit markets dysfunctional nature has compounded financial woes of consumers and businesses alike.  Congress' initial rejection of the ... More
10/13/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Look Who's Swimming in Cash
A decade ago the financial markets were reversed as East Asian economies were frozen and unable to provide funds for businesses, even proven ones.&nbs ... More
10/6/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Beginning of the Road to Recovery?
Credit market failure has pushed the economy to the edge, and policy makers are trying to pull it back. All of this has led to tremendous challenge in ... More
10/6/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bloodied but Still Strong
Global views of the American economy may have generated anger, but to date, the U.S. model has been resilient, something to be emulated.Global leaders ... More
9/29/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
More Pain Ahead
With the turbulence in the financial markets, the critical question is when it will end. While the Federal Reserve's bailout of Amer ... More
9/29/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Bailout Balancing Act Could Work
The challenges of the credit crisis have engaged the Federal Reserve and the Treasury in a high-stakes role of tough love and public ... More
9/22/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Back on Track-or off the Rails?
On September 7, the federal government announced that it was taking control of the nations' two largest financial institutions, mortgage giants Fannie ... More
9/22/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Good Step, but There's a Long Way to Go
With the federal government moving to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the uncertainty may be resolved concerning the housing market financi ... More
9/15/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Get Ready for a Second-Half Squeeze
The U.S. economy in the first half of 2008 has held up better than would have been expected considering the economic challenges; however, th ... More
9/15/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bernanke's Inflation Dilemma
The current state of inflation in the U.S. economy is unclear. Some measures indicate it is rising, others that it is not. Consumer prices are up ... More
9/1/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Housing's Stiff Headwinds
Housing sales and prices appear to have stabilized, but the recovery for both housing and the economy appears to be a long way out. Falling ... More
9/1/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Motorola: Fading in China
China has long been a successful market for Motorola, but the past two years have been difficult. Its market share fell from more than 23% in 2006 to ... More
8/25/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Productivity is Easing the Pain
In the late 1990s, U.S. businesses transformed how they operate through major advances in productivity. The labor force has become more flexible, ... More
8/25/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Pipeline Wars
Russia's reassertion as the dominant regional power in the Caucasus has thrust the region into the headlines and created a challenge to the region's i ... More
8/18/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
That Sinking Feeling
Foreign trade has been propping up the U.S. markets, and now that is slowing as foreign economies slow. This may move the insignificant slowdown lasti ... More
8/18/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Commodities are Down...Hooray?
Commodity prices, led by oil, are falling. While this is good news, the reason for the decline is not.  Prices are falling as demand falls due to ... More
8/11/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Tata's Nano Hits a Speed Bump
India's Tata Motors made a big splash when it announced that it would produce the Nano, an automobile with a 623cc engine that gets 50 miles ... More
8/11/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Inflation Hawks Are Losing Ground
With slowing growth in the economy, the Federal Reserve faces the second half of 2008 in a difficult position. It has already cut inter ... More
8/4/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Dollar May Be Ready for a Rebound
With the impact of higher oil prices and tight credit spreading overseas, other major economies will be challenged and may force centra ... More
8/4/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Tough Love for the U.S. Economy
The housing market and other signals of economic distress indicate we are in for a serious recession.  The question is how deep it will be.  ... More
7/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Bears of Summer
The first half of 2008 has ended with U.S. stock markets in or near bear market territory—that is, down 20% from their h ... More
7/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Labor's Weakness Will Put a Brake on Inflation
Weak labor markets will limit workers' ability to command higher wages. Some speculate that this in turn will stop inflation from ... More
7/7/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Tallying the True Size of the Housing Bust
The rise in home prices contributed to consumer confidence and spending from 2002 through 2007. Now indications are that prices have falle ... More
7/7/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Nuclear's Tangled Economics
With our energy future currently tied to fossil fuels, the presidential campaign looks to determine future energy policy for the United State ... More
6/30/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed: Now the Navigating Gets Really Tough
As fragile U.S. markets look ahead, it appears the risks of a serious recession - or any recession - have subsided, but the risks of higher infla ... More
6/30/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Can the U.S. Bring Jobs Back From China?
With higher energy costs and increased transport costs, now may be a good time for an American manufacturing resurgence.  The dollar has fallen 3 ... More
6/23/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Lean-and-Mean Is Paying Off for the Economy
In the latest market turmoil, it has gone unnoticed that nonfinancial corporations have exhibited a fiscal prudence that is lessening the overall pain ... More
6/23/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed's Plan: More Talk
With the current challenging economic climate, many analysts are debating what actions Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke might take.  W ... More
6/16/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Dimon May Go Shopping
With the current weakness in the market for financial institutions, those that have avoided the problems of the subprime sector may have oppo ... More
6/16/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Not-So-Widespread Downturn
The National Bureau of Economic Research definition of a recession says that the depth of the decline in economic activity must be "significa ... More
6/9/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Breaking Point
At $4 a gallon, gasoline prices are pushing many consumers to the edge of their budgetary tolerance.  The combination of housing and oil shocks a ... More
6/9/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Housing: The Recovery Wrecker
The housing industry's recession is the greatest challenge to economic growth.  Recent reports show a fragile economy that is holding up better t ... More
6/2/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What's Taking the Air Out of Inflation
Economists note that inflation will not get out of control as long as people expect it to stay down. The wage price spirals of the 1970s were ... More
6/2/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Cancer's Cruel Economics
Cancer drug development is expensive. It can take 8 to 10 years and $500 million for trials that would support a U.S. Food & Drug A ... More
5/26/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why HP's Deal is a Head-Scratcher
HP's $14 billion purchase of EDS is designed to address the needs to increase its technology services business.  Combined with EDS, HP will creat ... More
5/26/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Return of Two Recession Fighters
The two factors of productivity gains and globalization that helped mitigate the 2001 recession are back.  On the global front, the decline ... More
5/26/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Oil's Murky Outlook
The price of a barrel of oil has more than doubled since the start of 2007. Predictions of future prices are based on production, consumpt ... More
5/19/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Services: A Heavyweight in a Hard Fight
Manufacturing and construction economic data have been down trending, but the service industries are helping the economy stay in positive territory.&n ... More
5/19/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fires May Not Be Out
Recent events seem to have given investors a bit of relief about the financial system.  The road ahead is challenging, however, with corporate de ... More
5/12/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed Plans to Rest, but It Can't Relax
With a quarter-point cut, it may seem appropriate for the Federal Reserve to wait for further action; however, the challenges to previous int ... More
5/12/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed May Have More Cutting to Do
After months of fighting slowing growth, housing market slowdowns, and a credit market crunch, the Federal Reserve would like to think tha ... More
5/5/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Inflation Debate Grows Louder
As the Fed's aggressive rate-cutting starts to take hold, the markets are signaling that they would support less-aggressive action by the Fe ... More
5/5/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Gas May Finally Cost Too Much
With higher gas prices, there appears to be evidence that traffic may be down in selected areas across the country, according to the BusinessWeek arti ... More
4/28/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Buzz From Starbucks Customers
Following an example set by Michael Dell for engaging customers in product suggestions and feedback online, Starbucks new leadership is adapting the t ... More
4/28/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Strong Exports Could Mean a Weak Recession
Foreign trade continues to improve for the U.S. due to a declining dollar.  For the first quarter, the economy has managed to fight against reces ... More
4/21/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Jobs May Take a Smaller Hit This Time
As we enter this recession, companies have exceptionally lean payrolls.  This, according to the BusinessWeek article "Jobs May Take a Smalle ... More
4/21/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Spending Mirage
The important question for investors is how will the stock market respond to our current recession?  In 1981-82 and 1990-91 the market took off, ... More
4/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Business Retreats to the Bunker
Companies are reacting to current shaky credit markets and other economic factors by putting their growth plans on hold. Their actions in cutting ... More
4/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Chicago Merc: A Deal its Rival Should Love
The CME Group, the merged entity between the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, handles nearly half of all derivatives t ... More
4/7/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Laying the Foundation for Recovery
A rebound in the housing sector is the key to an economic recovery.  The biggest threats are credit market turmoil and tighter credit market cond ... More
4/7/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Aftershocks at Bear Stearns
The collapse of the fifth largest investment bank in the United States, Bear Stearns, seemed to happen with record speed.  Within a matter o ... More
3/31/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed Can Put Out These Fires
The Federal Reserve has acted to shore up the economy with $400 billion in various lending programs. The Fed has also stepped forward with an ... More
3/31/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Dollar Daze in Europe
The record low value of the U.S. dollar against the euro is having big consequences for European businesses. While the dollar has lost alm ... More
3/24/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Prognosis: Mild Recession, Slow Recovery
With the Fed actions, solid corporate balance sheets and stronger exports, the economic downturn should be limited; however, housing and credit proble ... More
3/24/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Recession Time
The central risk to the U.S. economy is an unprecedented crash in home values that saps household wealth and confidence as it strains the banking syst ... More
3/17/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bonds Are Saying Nasty Things About Stocks
Usually bond and stock investors agree on the risk of corporate default. Usually when bond investors are nervous about a default, the stoc ... More
3/17/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
It Sure Looks Like a Recession
The negative economic reports in early 2008 seem to support a view that the U.S. economy is in a recession. The declines in home values an ... More
3/10/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Multinationals: Are They Good for America?
Innovative multinationals are supporting domestic growth.  They are not constrained by the credit crunch and, in fact, the top 150 U.S.-based&nbs ... More
3/10/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why Bernanke Faces Stiff Headwinds
Current economic conditions of tighter credit and rising inflation are providing little comfort to businesses and households.  The Fed' ... More
3/3/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Plug for a Leaky Economy
Foreign trade's rising exports and declining imports are supporting U.S. economic growth.  Data on the economy is incomplete at this po ... More
3/3/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Behind the Mess at UBS
UBS is the European financial institution most impacted by the global credit crisis.  Last year it took $18.4 billion in write-offs from subprime ... More
2/25/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
What to Expect If You're Expecting Recession
Interpreting the current economic data is challenging.  Measures indicate that the economy's performance has slowed significantly, but has g ... More
2/25/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Survival of the Biggest
The economics of the U.S. airline industry have been significantly weakened by $90-per-barrel oil, and now European carriers, with larger ca ... More
2/18/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Do Bond Insurers Need CPR?
To attract investors, many municipalities and state agencies/governments without top-notch AAA credit ratings paid municipal bond insurers to gua ... More
2/18/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed's Race Against Recession
The economic data from the end of January does not provide a definitive answer to the question of whether we are in a recession, according to the Busi ... More
2/11/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Economists Rethink Free Trade
Economists have long supported the notion that free trade promotes efficiencies in the economy. This support has led the United States to ... More
2/11/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Is All This Stimulus Necessary?
Concerns are expanding that recent actions by the Federal Reserve and Congress may end up overstimulating the economy. Other than the h ... More
2/4/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How Real Was the Prosperity?
Investment banks have taken almost $100 billion in losses on their investments.  Market declines were interrupted by the Fed's aggressive rate cu ... More
2/4/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Exporting America's Travails
The United States has long dominated the global economy, and any recession in the U.S. has been felt even harder abroad. With the new emergence o ... More
1/28/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Downside of Market-Proof Annuities
With companies reducing guaranteed benefits for retirees, many employees have been seeking ways to create their own guaranteed investment accounts.&nb ... More
1/28/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Putting Inflation on the Back Burner
With the economy set to grow at less than the 2.5% pace needed to create enough jobs for everyone looking for work, the Fed seems poised to shift its ... More
1/21/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed May Have to Play Catch-Up
The Federal Reserve is under pressure from the credit markets to cut rates and ease the liquidity strains of the current credit crunch. As ec ... More
1/21/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Youthquake
Recognizing the importance of the Millennials, or Gen Y, to the presidential campaign is proving to be an important element, particularly in ... More
1/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Recession Fears Still Linger
The subprime debacle is still affecting financial markets, and the challenges to economic growth remain as we enter 2008, according to the Busine ... More
1/14/2008 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Hedge Fund's Savvy Ascent
Kenneth Griffin's Citadel Investment group rang up 30%-plus gains last year, versus 12% for the average fund, according to the BusinessWeek article "A ... More
12/31/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The 'R' Word? Try 'Resilient'
Consumers are still spending and companies are expanding production so the signs of an imminent recession are less clear.  Investors are caught b ... More
12/31/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
No Recession, But...
The economic outlook is the number one topic for 2008 for almost all investors, according to the BusinessWeek article "No Recession, But..." (December ... More
12/24/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed's Mild Medicine
With a relatively healthy economy confronting a credit crunch, the Federal Reserve wanted to restore confidence in the system withou ... More
12/24/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Less Wealth Won't Kill Spending
As home prices fall, concerns are that this situation will impact spending. Studies show that people spend about 5 cents of each dollar that ... More
12/17/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Watch out for Falling Profits
Risks of recession are increasing, according to the BusinessWeek article "Watch out for Falling Profits" (December 17, 2007).  The important issu ... More
12/17/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Facetime
Martin Feldstein was the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under President Reagan.  He is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo in Busin ... More
12/10/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Greenback Isn't a Goner
The dollar's decline is not a long-term collapse of the currency. The dollar is struggling with a slowing economy, the Federal Reserve's lowe ... More
12/10/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Dangerous Wealth of the Ivy League
Higher education is emerging as a tale of two worlds: elite schools getting richer and buying up the talent in the workforce and ... More
12/3/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bottom-Fishing in Spain
A deflating housing bubble has global financial players moving in to scoop up loans on the cheap. The global credit market crunch has c ... More
12/3/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Looking Hard at Inflation—All of It
The Federal Reserve has emphasized core inflation in its decisions. Core inflation strips out the impact of food and energy from ... More
11/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
China Inc. is Out on a Limb
China's companies are huge investors in other listed Chinese firms.  This could cause serious problems if the market went into a free fall.&nb ... More
11/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Stagflation Lite?
Economic growth is set to slow as jobless claims rise.  Rising food and oil costs will also cause inflation to increase.  These increase ... More
11/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA

Enter Abstract here Ambages exuviation phlebolit pa parens mackle void. Maniacal turbulization sutural kleptomania achingly occipitofrontal phylloclad ... More
11/19/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Economy on the Edge
The U.S. economy is complex, and the current economic conditions may indicate we are on the edge of a recession. Food co ... More
11/19/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Tipped Toward Recession
Is the economy balanced between the risks of higher inflation and slower growth in such a way as to keep it from either extrem ... More
11/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Sotheby's Surprising Sizzle
With the credit market bubble popping in the summer, many expected that the art bubble would burst as well.  It doesn't appear to have happene ... More
11/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
On Guard Against Recesssion
Economic growth is slowing, according to the BusinessWeek article "On Guard Against Recession" (November 12, 2007).  Third-quarter growth w ... More
11/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Even-Keel Economy
The great economy challenge is the slumping housing market, with a 50% decline in starts, and the global phenomenon known to economists as the G ... More
11/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Helping Hand From Foreign Demand
Solid global growth in developed and emerging markets means trading partners will provide a cushion as the U.S. economy slows domestically due to the ... More
10/29/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Volatile Combination
A steep increase in the price of oil combined with the housing market subprime mortgage issues creates a significant challenge for the economy going f ... More
10/29/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
To Cut or Not to Cut?
The markets upbeat signals seem to have responded to the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut in September, but the credit crunch may require more r ... More
10/22/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Storms of August Continue
The current economic news has calmed jittery financial markets, but the housing recession is at the center of a vicious cycle that only a housing r ... More
10/22/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Patient American
In 1996 Vietnam shifted gears from welcoming foreign investment to removing foreign welcome signs.  Then, after the U.S. lifted its trade embargo i ... More
10/15/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Don't Count Out the Consumer Just Yet
According to the BusinessWeek article "Don't Count Out the Consumer Just Yet" (October 15, 2007), falling home prices, tighter credit, and a softer jo ... More
10/15/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
ETFs That Cut the Cost of Munis
According to the BusinessWeek article "ETFs That Cut the Cost of Munis" (October 15, 2007), new investment products allow investors to invest in munic ... More
10/8/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Wall Street in the Desert?
The deal by Dubai’s exchange to buy into Swedish exchange OMX and NASDAQ furthers its ambitions to be the money center of the Middle East.  With ... More
10/8/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Fed’s Cut Won’t Spark Inflation
The Fed’s bold half-point interest rate cut on Sept. 18 has met mixed reactions in the financial markets.  Short-term financing markets and the s ... More
10/1/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
It’s The Economy Stupid 2.0
The BusinessWeek article "It's the Economy Stupid 2.0" (October 1, 2007) asserts that the Fed’s September 18 rate cut is the latest indication the U.S ... More
10/1/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Rate Cuts: The Fed May Just be Warming Up
The Fed’s half-point rate cut on September 18 was greater than the quarter-point that was expected by Wall Street and was positively received by finan ... More
9/17/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Upwardly Mobile in Africa
Cell phones are changing the way of life in many African villages as they provide a connection to the rest of the world.  A mobile phone can dram ... More
9/17/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Exports: The Economy’s Secret Weapon
Exports may provide a positive boost to U.S. economic growth in the quarters ahead.  As U.S. demand for consumer goods slows, so will imports. Bu ... More
9/10/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bernanke May Need to Dig Deeper Into his Toolbox
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke reassured Wall Street on August 31 that he understood what is happening in the markets and its seriousness. N ... More
9/10/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Can Retirees Afford This Much Risk?
Pension accounts are moving forward with implementation of a broader diversification strategy in hopes of increasing returns to enable them to cut the ... More
8/20/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Fed Won't Give the Markets a Break
Subprime market jitters have expanded and investors are looking to the Federal Reserve (Fed) for signs that it will act with a preemptive rate cut to ... More
8/20/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Bernanke Agenda
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has his priorities; although he feels the pain of subprime borrows and the Street, containing inflation ... More
8/13/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Web Gambling Fight Could Harm Free Trade
Americans aren't allowed to place bets online. This has prevented Americans from engaging in the gambling provided by Antigua ' Barbuda. This was a so ... More
8/13/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark — Well, Not Too Afraid
A full revision of the risk in the economy is under way in the marketplace. Growth for the second quarter rebounded strongly from the first quarter an ... More
8/6/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Credit is Tightening — and That's Fine
The risk of subprime financial assets has increased and the repricing of overall market risk is making credit costlier. Even with Federal Reserve tigh ... More
8/6/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Pet Economy
Americans spend $41 billion a year on their pets, double that of a decade ago and headed towards $52 billion in the next two years. Owners want to tre ... More
7/23/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Labor is Keeping the Economy in Fighting Trim
The job market looks healthy moving into the second half of 2007. The strength in the Department of Labor's June job report projects well for the econ ... More
7/23/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Importer's Worst Nightmare
More
7/9/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Microfinance Draws Mega Players
The economics of microfinance have attracted hedge funds, venture capitalists, and other big investors who see huge potential profits from the tiny lo ... More
7/9/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Housing's New Risks for the Economy
The housing market is facing higher mortgage rates, tighter credit, and falling home prices. To date in 2007 the housing downturn has not brought down ... More
7/2/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Inflation Looks Tamer, but for How Long?
U.S. market inflation readings have come in better than expected. The core price indexes at both the wholesale and retail levels, those that exclude c ... More
7/2/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Twisted Economics of Harry Potter
The fans of Harry Potter are awaiting the release of the seventh and last book in J.K. Rowling's series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, on July ... More
6/25/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bonds: Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
U.S. markets have sold off U.S. Treasury bonds this month, sending interest yields spiking. When the demand for bonds falls, the prices fall and their ... More
6/25/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Interest Rates Are Up, but Are They High Enough?
Keeping inflation under wraps was the prime objective of the Federal Reserve's policy to raise rates last year. Knowing that it takes time for interes ... More
6/18/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Stop Thinking Rate Cut, Start Thinking Rate Hike
As the strength in economic growth rebounds, the attention of the Federal Reserve turns from possible interest rate cuts to interest rate hikes. Shift ... More
6/18/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Real Cost of Offshoring
U.S. data seems to indicate that moving jobs overseas hasn't hurt the economy. The article shows why this conclusion may not be true, however. The dat ... More
6/11/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Is the Housing Recession Starting to Recede?
A look at the signs in the housing market suggests that the housing recession is starting to ease. Beginning this quarter, the negative result of the ... More
6/11/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Right Cure for Ailing Elder Care?
America's looming economic challenge is the amount of health-care dollars consumed by our society, particularly in the care of the elderly. The moveme ... More
6/4/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Get Ready to Exhale: The Slowdown May Be Ending
A look at the past quarter may reflect the worst economic performance in the past four years. Growth previously reported at 1.3% may be finalized as u ... More
6/4/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Market's Mixed Signals
Current economic growth rates have slowed to 1.3% in the first quarter, the slowest in four years, making forecasting corporate profits even more diff ... More
5/28/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Inflation Wild Cards Will Keep the Fed on Hold
A lot of economists think weakness in the economy is about to ease inflationary pressures and allow the Fed to cut interest rates. The policymakers at ... More
5/28/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Japan's Lost Generation
A look at most measures of economic growth and progress would indicate that Japan is back. The economy is growing at 2% a year, company profits are gr ... More
5/21/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Immigrants Welcome
Over the past decade, Spain has opened its borders and absorbed more than 3 million foreigners. More than 11% of the country's 44 million residents ar ... More
5/21/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Job Markets Will Decide the Fed's Next Move
More
5/14/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Business Slowdown? Don't Count on It
Consumer spending has turned out to be the U.S. economy's star performer in 2007's first quarter, with inflation-adjusted spending growing at a health ... More
5/14/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Crazy Like a Fox
The 66% premium that Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. offered for Dow Jones ' Co., parent of The Wall Street Journal, was set to make it difficult for Dow ... More
5/7/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Some Gain from the Dollar's Pain
The dollar's value has declined over the past five years. The upside is that a cheaper dollar may help the U.S. with its trade deficit. A falling doll ... More
5/7/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why Consumer Spending Has Staying Power
Consumer spending has been the essential element in sustaining economic growth in the recent period of positive economic growth. Despite increases in ... More
4/30/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Ethanol Is Not the Only Green in Town
The economics of subsidies indicate that the market will move in the direction of biofuels currently being subsidized even though the subsidies suppor ... More
4/30/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
As the Trade Deficit Shrinks, A Plan for Growth
Narrowing U.S. trade deficits are expected to lift economic growth in the United States in 2007. The increase in exports and slower imports mean a red ... More
4/23/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Growing Revolt Against the SEC
Regulatory controls on the economy impact business productivity and profitability. This is particularly true of accounting regulations. The accounting ... More
4/23/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Job Markets Face a Stress Test
At this point in the current economic cycle, overall economic growth has slowed substantially without much impact on job growth. The March 2007 unempl ... More
4/16/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Health Care for All? Not Quite
The economics of health care are driven by the 47 million uninsured Americans that burden the rest of the population with costs. The state of Maine mo ... More
4/16/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Earnings Season Is About to Get Chilly
Throughout the past three years, corporate profits have been strong with a record 14 consecutive quarters of double-digit gains from the previous year ... More
4/9/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Real Economic Threat: Weak Capital Spending
Economic growth may slow due to the housing slump, but an even greater threat to economic growth is the decline in business outlays for new facilities ... More
4/9/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Where Are All the Workers?
Employers throughout the world are finding it increasingly difficult to find employees to fill vacancies. The unemployment rate in the United States r ... More
4/2/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Say Goodbye to High Growth and Low Inflation
Controlling inflation often has negative implications for economic growth and unemployment. This complicates the Fed's policy making. On Mar. 21, the ... More
4/2/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Romancing the Street
The economics of a presidential race start well before election year. This leads the candidates to seek early donations from the investment banks. The ... More
3/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Making Sense of the Mortgage Mess
With defaults soaring, stocks tanking, and fear setting in, how will the overall economy be impacted? The fourth-quarter corporate results of General ... More
3/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Consumers Are Bloodied but Unbowed
Consumers have driven the economy over the past couple of years. With a jittery stock market and growing fears that the overall economy may be at risk ... More
3/19/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The R-Word is "Rocky," Not "Recession"
Despite recent market volatility, the economy is in good shape. There is no parallel with the downturn in March 2001. The S'P 500 Index is down about ... More
3/19/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Under the Fed's Hammer
As the Fed has increased interest rates 4% since 2004, corporations and individuals with good credit have managed to avoid the consequences through sh ... More
3/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Contagion? No, Wake-up Call
The gains of emerging markets over the past four years have attracted a number of investors. In 2006 they poured $70 billion into developing nation st ... More
3/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Inventory Swings Are Whipsawing the Economy
The downside of the inventory cycle that is happening now is partly to blame for the steep sell-off of the stock market on February 27. Industry is wo ... More
3/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How Long Can the U.S. Count on Foreign Funding?
By the third quarter of 2006, the U.S. was dependent on foreign lending to the tune of more than $860 billion, or about 6.5% of gross domestic product ... More
3/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Insurance Inheritance
By using insurance instruments, individuals are finding creative new ways to minimize taxes and leave more money to their heirs. With the Sarbanes-Oxl ... More
2/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Better Look at the Boss's Pay
U.S. executives' pay invokes a great deal of passion from all directions. The link between performance and compensation is critical in investor's mind ... More
2/26/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Gray Area in the Fed's Blue-Sky Forecast
The crucial question facing the Federal Reserve as the economy seems set to roll along is, Will the Fed's current target interest rate of 5.25% be the ... More
2/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Bernanke's New Burden: Tight Labor Markets
The Federal Reserve has marked its first anniversary under Chairman Ben S. Bernanke. The Fed's latest meeting,More
2/12/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Not Just for the Big Guys
The attraction of private equity investment is the high return that is generated net of fees. The high returns have created a classic supply-and-deman ... More
2/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Oil: It's Back to Supply and Demand
Last July's crude oil price, which was moving toward $80 a barrel, challenged conventional economic thinking. The challenges for emerging economies su ... More
2/5/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Stronger Economy? Yes. Higher Inflation? No
InvestorsMore
1/29/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Surprise Pickup--With Room to Run
Recent reports indicate that the fourth quarter of 2006 will reflect surprisingly strong economic results. Economists now expect that U.S. real gross ... More
1/29/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Barrels of Confusion
The volatility of oil prices has created an opportunity for the development of market instruments to allow companies to manage the risk. Wall Street f ... More
1/22/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Outsmarting the Market
Investors have long sought to find ways to "beat the market," which efficient-market theory held to be impossible on a systematic basis. However, quan ... More
1/22/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Strong Job Markets Dash Hopes for Rate Cuts
Payrolls show the economy is poised to pick up, not weaken further. The December data reported on Jan. 5, 2007 in the Labor Dept.'s monthly roundup of ... More
1/15/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Click for Foreign Labor
Labor markets in the United States (and elsewhere) are reflections of supply and demand. The economic growth in the U.S. has generated a demand for ad ... More
1/15/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Dollar's Decline Isn't a Downer
Since its peak in 2002, the U.S. dollar has dropped 35% against the euro, 28% against a trade-weighted basket of major currencies, and 18% against cur ... More
1/8/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Private Equity Invades India
Emerging markets represent opportunities for strong growth and are attracting billions in foreign investment. This is an illustration of classic suppl ... More
1/8/2007 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Market Isn't Listening to the Fed
Market views of the 2007 economic environment seem to differ from the messages being sent by the Federal Reserve. The Fed is signaling that inflation ... More
12/25/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Count on Consumers to Keep Spending
Holiday buying is critical to understanding economic forecasts. Household spending has played a major role in the U.S. economy's resilience over the p ... More
12/25/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Drawing a Bead on the Future
The economic future was explored with 58 experts. On average, they see an investor-friendly economy growing at 2.6% from the end of 2006 to the end of ... More
12/18/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
All That Glitters at Tiffany's
Luxury merchandise is a clear illustration of supply and demand. This is clearly reflected in jewelry -- and Tiffany's speaks to this important relati ... More
12/18/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Why the Fed Will Keep Rates on Hold
The Fed's decision to hold rates steady in August is looking more and more like the right call as the economy slows enough to hold inflation in check ... More
12/11/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
U.S.: Capital Spending Should Pick Up Again
Corporate America's continued investment in new factories, offices, equipment, and software has been an important ingredient in the economic growth of ... More
12/11/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Wagoner's Fighting Chance
GM's CEO G. Richard Wagoner Jr. has slashed $9 billion in costs and eked out a profit. That buys him time to cut billions more. The challenges to Wago ... More
12/4/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
The Housing Grinch Won't Steal Christmas
Going into the Christmas holidays, the economy is in one of the best conditions in years. Unemployment is at 5 ½ year lows at 4.4%, gasoline pr ... More
12/4/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Shock to the System
Effective in January, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) will require that governmental entities disclose their retiree health care li ... More
11/27/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
How Bill Clinton Helped Boost CEO Pay
As a presidential candidate in 1991, Bill Clinton sought to use the U.S. tax code to curb excessive pay. Clinton's idea was that firms would be permit ... More
11/27/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Secrets, Lies, and Sweatshops
The Chinese are expected to ship $280 billion in goods to the United States in 2006. The economics of this trade relationship lies in the low costs of ... More
11/20/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
India: Rolling in Rupees
India's 8% annual economic growth rate has expanded the ranks of the moneyed class in that nation. Millionaires are estimated to be growing at a 13% a ... More
11/20/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Can Anyone Steer This Economy
It is anticipated that the cost of imported goods and services in the U.S. will exceed the federal government's revenue collections in late 2007. This ... More
11/6/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
A Do-Nothing Fed Is Looking Less Likely
The view of the likely strategy of the Federal Reserve in addressing future interest rates is changing. The anticipated economic slowdown is not occur ... More
11/6/2006 Reviewer: Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA
Boom! Bust! Boom?
The U.S. housing market has gone from a sure thing to a complete muddle. Median prices nationwide fell for the second straight month in September, the ... More
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