Economy in Brief: February 2010

Injection of liquidity by the Federal Reserve into the banking system typically raises inflationary concerns in the credit markets. And this time is no different. Long-term interest rates have remained fairly stable as the Fed funds [...]

Seven quarters in a row and still no hint of growth in Spain’s GDP. The quarter to quarter drops are diminishing and the year-over-year drop is lessening but the dropping continues. On a day that Greece is getting assistance because [...]

Earlier suggestions of labor market deterioration were reversed by today's Labor Department report that initial claims. Jobless insurance fell 43,000 to the lowest level since early-January. Last week's decline to 440,000 followed an [...]

Earlier suggestions of labor market deterioration were reversed by today's Labor Department report that initial claims. Jobless insurance fell 43,000 to the lowest level since early-January. Last week's decline to 440,000 followed an [...]

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage applications slipped 1.2% last week after a 21.0% jump at the end of January. As a result, applications began February up sharply from last month. Applications to refinance [...]

The drop –a sharp drop- in German IP has been echoed throughout the e-zone’s largest economies. In December IP has also fallen in France, in Italy and in Spain. The UK, an EU member country, reports that its IP rose by a strong 0.9% [...]

Higher oil prices and economic recovery were December's double-punch to the U.S. trade accounts. Together, they raised imports and increased the international trade deficit to $40.2B which was the highest level in twelve months. The [...]

Higher oil prices and economic recovery were December's double-punch to the U.S. trade accounts. Together, they raised imports and increased the international trade deficit to $40.2B which was the highest level in twelve months. The [...]