News
WSJ | Japanese Trade Deficit Is Wider Than Expected
Japan posted a larger-than-expected trade deficit in July as exports slowed sharply amid Europe's debt crisis and faltering global growth, a result likely to increase pressure on the Bank of Japan to take more easing steps to support the domestic economy.
WSJ | Europe Pressures Intensify
Germany's Merkel Faces Tough Choices as Greek Crisis Threatens Euro Anew
Bloomberg | Apple as Most Valuable U.S. Company Ever Has Room to Grow
Apple Inc., already the most valuable U.S. company in history, has room to grow further as its stock trades at a discount to the Nasdaq Composite Index and the company prepares an upgrade to its best-selling iPhone.
WSJ | French Leaders Return to Tackle Economy
Over the summer, France's economic outlook has fallen sharply, and most economists now see gross-domestic-product growth below the 1.2% the government has forecast for next year.
Bloomberg | Spain Deficit Goals at Risk as Cuts Consensus Fades: Euro Credit
Quarrels over who bears the brunt of cuts worth more than 10 percent of Spain’s annual gross domestic product threaten Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s plan to tackle the euro area’s third-largest deficit as a second bailout looms.
WSJ | Outlook Brightens for Estonia
The near-term growth prospects for the euro zone's youngest member, Estonia, could be better than previously expected, thanks to an expected summertime uptick in household spending that has come despite the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the European economy.
Econ Comments & Analysis
Politico | An energy blueprint for America
During the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the president experiments with mandatory health insurance penalties, a failed $831 billion stimulus and other issues. At the same time, he largely ignores a major policy area with tremendous, job-boosting potential - growth of the energy sector.
WSJ | Jenkins: GM Faces Its Own Regulatory Cliff
Don't blame the UAW for the next auto company bailout.
Forbes | Sorry Mr. Biden, But It's Your Liberalism That Chains The Poor To Dependency
Vice President Biden presented America with what liberals might call a “teachable moment.” Race has long served as a trump card silencing opposition. Whites wilt when challenged by race. But Biden ups the ante by insinuating Republicans trying to ease financial regulation harbor sinister intentions.
Washington Times | EDITORIAL: Powering up the economy
There’s no doubt the Obama administration is waging an all-out war on affordable energy. Instead of unmanned killer drones, red tape is the weapon of choice for this White House offensive.
WSJ | A Nation Adrift From the Rule of Law
We are losing sight of the basic principles that made us great in the 20th century.
Bloomberg | Economists Risk Labeling as Political Hacks
Some 500 of my colleagues in economics, almost all academics, have signed a statement applauding former Governor Mitt Romney’s economic plan and condemning President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy.
WSJ | Time to Treat High-Speed Trading Like Another Risk to Manage
No amount of testing or effort will ever ensure error-free software. Better to limit potential mistakes and lessen their financial impact.
RCM | Treasury Revision of Fan/Fred Payments Seals Their Fate
The Treasury Department's announcement last Friday-changing the payment arrangements on the preferred stock it holds in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-seems to seal their fate. Under the new plan, the dividends that the Fannie and Freddie owe to Treasury on that stock will be equal to all of their earnings each quarter.
WSJ | A Coca-Cola Solution to High Gas Prices
Regulations interfere with competitive markets and render all of us more vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Blogs
Coordination Problem | Some Austrian Thoughts on the Problems with Stimulus Spending
Stimulus spending that goes to groups that will provide the most votes will ensure that the right combinations of capital and labour will not be formed.
