Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? Children ask that question endlessly on a long car trip. Federal Reserve officials are asking it about their drive to curb inflation.

Read More

Details

The housing slowdown some analysts have been predicting for more than a year has arrived – perhaps.  That’s not a unanimous view, but it does reflect what appears to be a growing consensus, supported by an array of negative indicators that are becoming harder to dismiss or to ignore.

Details

In a move telegraphed clearly and undeterred by the Crimea turmoil, the Federal Reserve increased  interest rates for the first time in four years, raising its benchmark rate by one-quarter- of percentage  point, from zero to a range of 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent, and indicating that additional rate hikes are coming. 

Details

Imagine a high-wire act performed without a net.  That describes the Federal Reserve’s effort to curb inflation without crashing the economy.  Success will bring applause and relief; failure, a brief downturn, at best, with a prolonged recession the worst case outcome. 

Details

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has unleashed an immigration tsunami, as millions of Ukrainian refugees have sought safety in Poland and other neighboring countries.