Economy News & Latest Economy Headlines

America Will Be Energy Independent By 2030

5:40PM 2/21/2012

The energy situation is looking pretty grim for much of the world. But here in North America? We're sitting pretty. Thanks to a boom in natural gas production from shale, and oil production from Canada's tar sands, North America will become an energy exporter over the coming decades.

Dow Breaks 13,000 for First Time Since '08 Crisis

4:20PM 2/21/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy, Investing

The Dow Jones industrial average crossed 13,000 on Tuesday for the first time since May 2008, when the Lehman Brothers investment bank was solvent, unemployment a healthy 5.4 percent and the worst of the Great Recession months ahead. The milestone came about two hours into the trading day. The stock market got the final push from strong corporate earnings reports and a Greek bailout deal intended to prevent the next financial crisis.

Consumer Prices Up as Gas, Clothing Costs Rise

10:50AM 2/17/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

Consumer prices rose modestly in January on higher costs for food, gas, rent and clothing. But economists downplayed the increase, saying inflation will likely ease in the coming months as prices for raw materials level off. The consumer price index increased 0.2 percent last month, after a flat reading in December, the Labor Department said Friday.

Unemployment Applications Drop to a 4-Year Low

10:00AM 2/16/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell to the lowest point in almost four years last week, the latest signal that the job market is steadily improving. Weekly applications for unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 348,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Is Corporate America Too Focused on Profit Margins?

7:10AM 2/16/2012

By Rich Smith, The Motley Fool

Economy, Dell, Sony, Apple, Wal-Mart Stores

I recently penned a column pointing out that when America "lost" the TV manufacturing industry to Japan, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because the business has become a low-margin money loser. A lot of readers disagreed.

Factory Output Jumps 0.7% in January

10:45AM 2/15/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

U.S. factories boosted output last month and December ended up being their best month of growth in five years. Strong auto sales and growing business investment in machinery and other equipment are keeping factories busy and helping the economy grow.

3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die

3:35PM 2/13/2012

By The Motley Fool

Economy

One of this country's biggest economic problems is a tsunami of misinformation. You can't have a rational debate when facts are so easily supplanted by overreaching statements and errors. Here are three misconceptions about our economy that need to be laid to rest.

A Penny Saved Is More Than 2 Pennies Lost

7:00AM 2/13/2012

By Rich Smith, The Motley Fool

Economy, Currency

America has a debt problem. We don't bring in enough revenue, and we spend too much money. But don't fret. Our government has a plan to fix all this by ... cutting the cost of coining pennies and nickels.

Bernanke: Weak Housing Has Hurt Consumer Spending

1:40PM 2/10/2012

By The Associated Press

Economy

Ben Bernanke says declines in home prices have forced many Americans to cut back sharply on spending warns that the trend could continue to weigh on the economy for years. The Federal Reserve chairman drew the connection between home values and consumer spending, which fuels 70 percent of economic activity, on Friday during a speech to the National Association of Home Builders in Orlando.

Bonds Are a 'Safe' Investment: A Big Lie Gets Even Bigger

4:55PM 2/09/2012

By Rich Smith, The Motley Fool

Economy, Investing

About a month ago, the Germany government sold $5 billion worth of Eurobonds that paid an average interest rate of -- get this -- negative 0.0122%. That's right: These bonds are guaranteed to lose value. So why did they sell? In a word, it's all about risk.