Tag Archive 'fiscal policy'

Martin Feldstein on the Economy, Credit Markets and Economic Risk

Martin Feldstein, stepping down from heading up the National Bureau of Economic Research since 1977, has piece in the Wall Street Journal that is rather pessimistic about the economic outlook. More tellingly he thinks the recession, if it occurs (and like me, he suspects it has already begun) will be more difficult to stimulate our [...]

Today’s Links: The Grinding Gears of the Economy

The GDP numbers came out yesterday. For a breakdown, including the inflation component, go here. For the announcement from the BEA go here. The Fed also cut rates by 50bps. Here is the Journal’s story.

Reactions:
Barry Rithotlz- Q4 GDP: El Stinko!
• Consumption slowed to 2% from 2.8% in Q3; I suspect that only partly reflects real [...]

Today’s Links: Skepticism Abounds

Morningstar takes a look at the Long/Short category of mutual funds. They, like I, appreciate John Hussman.
China turned in yet another double digit year:
China’s economy grew by 11.4 per cent in 2007, the highest pace in 13 years, but the trend of decelerating exports to a slowing US recorded in the final two quarters is [...]

Krugman on Fiscal Stimulus

I have my doubts, as I express here and here, as well as less directly in other places. Jon Henke takes a look at what Paul Krugman has had to say in the past.

Today’s links: Washington tries to step up

Ben Bernanke gives Congress and the President the green light to take steps to stimulate the economy along with a warning:

Is Fiscal Stimulus the Answer?

The economy is slowing, and if we are not already in a recession (I think we probably are) the risks of one are certainly high. So should our politicians do something with fiscal policy? Alex Taborrak says no:

Fourth, in their desperation to “do something” politicians will often do something foolish. If a spending increase [...]