Aaron Nathans
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People Are Using Their Credit Cards More
Here’s one more bit of data that backs up the storyline of the U.S. economy continuing its trajectory of growth. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released its consumer credit report, showing that the trend of 6 to 7 percent annual growth that started in early 2014 continued in August. The major driver recently has been…
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As U.S. Weighs Trade Pact, Trade Deficit Grows
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership heading to Capitol Hill for ratification, U.S. policymakers will weigh the proposed free-trade zone in an increasingly challenging trade environment. The strong dollar, a weaker global economy and low energy prices have all worked against the United States when it comes to trade, said Bob Hughes, senior research fellow at the…
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New GDP Report Signals Continued Economic Growth
This morning we received word that the second-quarter Gross Domestic Product numbers were revised upward by the Commerce Department, from 3.7 percent in the prior estimate to 3.9 percent. It was the third estimate of these numbers; the initial estimate was just 2.3 percent. Consumer spending rose at a healthy pace of 3.6 percent, and…
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The Beauty of AIER’s Campus in the Berkshires
As the sun fell on a beautiful day at AIER’s campus in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, I snapped these pictures. There’s no better place to clear the mind and think about big subjects like economics than our historic campus, including the Stone House, built in the 1920’s, and our E.C. Harwood Library that overlooks…
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Home Internet Prices Fall, as Smartphone Use Grows
As more Americans buy more powerful smart phones that allow them to access the Internet anywhere, the price of setting up Internet service at home has dropped in the last year. The decreasing price of home internet service is one interesting bit of data from the American Institute for Economic Research’s Everyday Price Index
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Where the CPI Falls Short
The Consumer Price Index used to be a pretty good approximation for the trend in everyday prices, but it no longer is. That’s the conclusion of a new research brief by Polina Vlasenko of the American Institute for Economic Research. AIER’s Everyday Price Index, she says, is a better way to plan a household budget,…
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As Fed Deliberates, More to Consider
As our research fellow Jia Liu pointed out last week, the Federal Open Markets Committee already has all the major information on the economy that it will receive in advance of its two-day meeting that starts on Wednesday. Nevertheless, there are a few data points that will come out just before and during the meeting,…
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Drooping Consumer Sentiment Belies Fundamentals
Despite a series of upbeat data on the economy, consumer sentiment was markedly down in new data out late this week. Our senior research fellow, Bob Hughes, says that is likely a psychological reaction to the recent market volatility, and is probably a fleeting phenomenon.
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A Mixed Picture on Jobs
Today’s Employment Situation report from the Labor Department was a mixed bag, featuring plenty of positive details under a disappointing headline jobs number.
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•
People Are Using Their Credit Cards More
Here’s one more bit of data that backs up the storyline of the U.S. economy continuing its trajectory of growth. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released its consumer credit report, showing that the trend of 6 to 7 percent annual growth that started in early 2014 continued in August. The major driver recently has been…
-
•
As U.S. Weighs Trade Pact, Trade Deficit Grows
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership heading to Capitol Hill for ratification, U.S. policymakers will weigh the proposed free-trade zone in an increasingly challenging trade environment. The strong dollar, a weaker global economy and low energy prices have all worked against the United States when it comes to trade, said Bob Hughes, senior research fellow at the…
-
•
New GDP Report Signals Continued Economic Growth
This morning we received word that the second-quarter Gross Domestic Product numbers were revised upward by the Commerce Department, from 3.7 percent in the prior estimate to 3.9 percent. It was the third estimate of these numbers; the initial estimate was just 2.3 percent. Consumer spending rose at a healthy pace of 3.6 percent, and…
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•
The Beauty of AIER’s Campus in the Berkshires
As the sun fell on a beautiful day at AIER’s campus in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, I snapped these pictures. There’s no better place to clear the mind and think about big subjects like economics than our historic campus, including the Stone House, built in the 1920’s, and our E.C. Harwood Library that overlooks…
-
•
Home Internet Prices Fall, as Smartphone Use Grows
As more Americans buy more powerful smart phones that allow them to access the Internet anywhere, the price of setting up Internet service at home has dropped in the last year. The decreasing price of home internet service is one interesting bit of data from the American Institute for Economic Research’s Everyday Price Index
-
•
Where the CPI Falls Short
The Consumer Price Index used to be a pretty good approximation for the trend in everyday prices, but it no longer is. That’s the conclusion of a new research brief by Polina Vlasenko of the American Institute for Economic Research. AIER’s Everyday Price Index, she says, is a better way to plan a household budget,…
-
•
As Fed Deliberates, More to Consider
As our research fellow Jia Liu pointed out last week, the Federal Open Markets Committee already has all the major information on the economy that it will receive in advance of its two-day meeting that starts on Wednesday. Nevertheless, there are a few data points that will come out just before and during the meeting,…
-
•
Drooping Consumer Sentiment Belies Fundamentals
Despite a series of upbeat data on the economy, consumer sentiment was markedly down in new data out late this week. Our senior research fellow, Bob Hughes, says that is likely a psychological reaction to the recent market volatility, and is probably a fleeting phenomenon.
-
•
A Mixed Picture on Jobs
Today’s Employment Situation report from the Labor Department was a mixed bag, featuring plenty of positive details under a disappointing headline jobs number.