Econ Comments & Analysis
AEI | Resisting the 'new normal'
Let’s be optimistic and assume the U.S. economy grew 3 percent in the first quarter, adjusted for inflation (vs. 0.4 percent in last year’s fourth quarter, as the Commerce Department reported last week). That would be no small achievement.
Blogs
Economist | An unusual good news inflation story
Consumer spending has been surprisingly resilient in the face of a sharp rise in taxes and, more recently, higher petrol prices. It rose 0.3% (after inflation) in both January and February, the government reported this morning, and looks likely to rise at a 3% annual rate in the first quarter, a major reason many first quarter GDP growth estimates now top 3%.
WSJ | Fed’s Favorite Inflation Gauge Shows Little Pressure
Today’s government data included a twist on the inflation numbers which is worth watching. The inflation measure watched most closely by the Federal Reserve showed very little sign of price pressures, even though some other inflation measures have firmed up of late.
CATO | Can We Have An Evidence-Based Debate about the Future of the IMF?
It is far from obvious that the repeated bailouts to Greece, in which the IMF has participated, have done much to calm the financial markets or to help the country’s economy. Recall that Greece is still going through a recession deeper than the Great Depression, with youth unemployment at around 60 percent, and no signs of recovery.
