All Economy
Cybersecurity bill: Why senator is taking his case straight to top CEOsAmid opposition from business groups to a cybersecurity bill, Sen. Jay Rockefeller is writing CEOs of the nation's top 500 companies for their views 'without the filter of Beltway lobbyists.'
Breaking down the 47 percentMarron highlights a previous blog post where he explains why almost half of Americans pay no federal income tax. The repost comes in light of a leaked video of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney commenting on the 47 percent.
Alexander Ovechkin joins Russian team. No NHL hockey this year?Alexander Ovechkin and other NHL stars are signing up to play abroad as the NHL lockout continues, with no end in sight. The lockout is the league's second in eight years, as owners and players like Alexander Ovechkin argue over how to share $3.3 billion in revenue.
Good housing numbers lift stocksStocks rose Wednesday after the release of two encouraging housing reports. Stocks聽of homebuilders rose sharply while the gains for broader聽stock聽indexes were muted.聽
Time vs. money: the saver's dillemaSome cost-saving activities just aren't worth the time investment, Hamm writes. The ideal situation is to find the frugal practices you enjoy completing.聽
Home sales up 7.8 percent in AugustThe National Association of Realtors' Existing Home Sales Report for August showed a notable increase in sales. Total home sales climbed 7.8 percent since July 2012, rising 9.3 percent above the level seen a year ago.
Federal income tax: Who doesn't pay it and why?The 46 percent of Americans who don't pay federal income tax can be divided into those who have no taxable income and those who have enough tax breaks to wipe out their tax liability.
Housing starts rise in AugustSingle family housing starts increased 5.5 percent from July 2012. Housing starts climbed 26.8 percent above the level seen in August 2011.聽
Arsenic in rice? Consumer Reports finds 'higher' levels.Arsenic in rice is at higher levels than most foods in the US, according to a Consumer Reports study. Consumer groups are urging the FDA to set guidelines for the allowable levels of arsenic in rice. The FDA says there is no danger in eating rice, but urges people to diversify their diets.
Yahoo! mega deal pays investors; stocks riseYahoo! has completed a long-awaited $7.6 billion deal with China's Alibaba Group, generating a windfall that could help ease the pain of Yahoo! shareholders and send stock prices higher.
FocusHousing market turning a corner? Signs of hope for homeowners.Rising home values and declining foreclosure rates indicate a slow but steady recovery for the US housing market. Obstacles remain, however, including negative equity due to 'underwater' mortgages.
Japan easing boosts Asia's stock, but not Europe'sJapan's central bank boosts bond-buying in an effort to lower interest rates. Japan's Nikkei index jump to a four-month high, but European stocks are unmoved.聽- FocusRise of the renter delays the dream of homeownershipMore Americans seek low-cost rentals instead of homeownership in the post-crash housing market. Affordability is the main challenge with 42 million US households paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
Save money by preparing for the worstWhat you pay for your homeowners insurance is partly determined by how disaster-resistant you make your home, Hamm writes. To save money on your rate, consider installing smoke and burglar alarms that automatically contact emergency services when activated.- Does uncertainty cost the economy jobs? Fed researchers call it a big problem.Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco say uncertainty over future taxes and other policies has raised unemployment by one to two percentage points. That's lots of jobs.
The best and worst states for driversA new study by CarInsurance.com ranks New Hampshire and Alaska among the top states for drivers, Read writes. Mississippi and Louisiana, on the other hand, make drivers miserable.
FedEx's weak outlook leaves stocks mixedStock prices were mixed Tuesday after FedEx聽sharply reduced its fiscal-year profit forecast.聽FedEx's stock fell $2.73, or 3.1 percent, to close at $86.55.
What's missing from your home? An inventoryTo make the most of your home insurance, Hamm recommends making a detailed inventory of your possessions. If disaster strikes, you'll have a better idea of how much you need to be reimbursed.
The ideal economy: How do we get what we really want?In a completely free market, we can assume people will get what they want, or at least what they deserve, Bonner writes.聽
Spain dithers: Stocks fall, borrowing costs riseStock markets fall as investors grow nervous about Spain's delay in asking for a bailout. Spain's bond yields rise, but bond auctions generate strong response.
