All Economy
FocusObama plan for high-speed rail, after hitting a bump, chugs forward againHigh-speed rail plans, announced by the White House in 2009, are back on track after Amtrak commits to upgrades in the Northeast and California approves billions to build new tracks.
Greed is (not) good. Here's a better capitalism.Profit should not be the sole goal of business. Profit should be the byproduct of business excellence.聽
Stock futures nudged higher by possible ECB dealStock futures in the US edged higher Tuesday morning on hopes that the European Central Bank will work out a deal to help Spain and Italy borrow at cheaper rates. Stock futures on the Dow rose 0.2 percent to 13,255.
Are economists useful anymore?Modern economists 鈥� especially the famous ones 鈥� close their eyes to how an economy actually works, focusing instead on a make-believe world of numbers and theories, with little connection to the world in which most people live.
Facebook stock: Early backer sells most of his sharesFacebook director Peter Thiel dumps some 20 million shares of his Facebook stock as lockup period ends. Facebook stock closes at nearly half its original price.聽
Stocks edge down as doubts mount about ECB actionStocks fall slightly on one of the lightest trading days of the year. Stock market weighed down by doubts about how forcefully the European Central Bank might act to head off Europe's debt crisis.- As grain prices rise, so does Germany's debate over biofuelTwo German cabinet members have squared off on whether biofuel production is contributing to higher food prices. Biodiesel and bioethanol provide about 6 percent of the overall fuel supply.
Apple stock: the market's new MVPApple stock surges 2.6 percent in Monday trading. Apple stock is now worth $623.5 billion, beating Microsoft's market capitalization during the Internet boom.聽
Mortgage shopping? Get an HUD-1 form. What's that?HUD-1 forms itemize all of the services and fees that are charged to you while applying for a home loan. Get a copy before you sign any other mortgage papers.
With end of long strike at Caterpillar, a blow to US labor movementMachinists striking against Caterpillar since May 1 have voted to accept a new labor contract that calls for concessions on benefits and a virtual freeze on wages. It's not much to cheer for manufacturing workers, analysts say.
As Patriots (and pro sports) go solar, will fans follow?The New England Patriots are just the latest to turn to solar energy to power their vast complexes. From Boston to Los Angeles, teams are taking advantage of the falling price of solar panels. But for their fans, it's a bigger financial leap.聽
Apple stock makes it the most valuable company everApple stock propelled the company's value to $621 billion Monday, beating the record previously set by Microsoft. Apple stock has hit new highs recently due to buzz about the potential iPhone 5 and cheaper iPad.
College students: high in self-confidence but low in basic work skillsFor today's college students 鈥� facing a tough economy and diminishing prospects 鈥� the goal of education is earning power, according to a new national study. But employers say some college graduates are not well prepared for the world of work.
Housing prices: How much house can you afford?Housing prices are low right now, and it's a good time to buy. But just because you can afford current housing prices doesn't mean you necessarily should.
Small business revenues are the most important predictions you can makeWhen starting up a business, too many entrepreneurs are overly optimistic about how much money they'll make. Here's how to avoid the trap of bad revenue forecasting.
Mitt Romney's 13 percent tax rate is shamefulMitt Romney boasts that he's paid at least 13 percent of his taxes every year. Is that supposed to be a defense?
Facebook stock: the biggest Ponzi scheme in history?Facebook stock had a meteoric rise and quick collapse that reeks of a scam. But is Facebook stock a Ponzi scheme? Not quite.
It's all in the neighborhoodYou may think that you need to live in the "best" neighborhoods, but if you make a list of what you really need from an area, you might be surprised at how many communities, many of them with lower pricing, actually fit your minimum requirements.
Faux populism, and a renewed appeal to the 'hardworking taxpayer'Paul Ryan has been making a lot of speeches lately extolling the value of small government and lower taxes. But small government under the influence of big money would still be dominated by the interests of high rollers such as Sheldon Anderson and the Koch brothers.
Bloggers riff on similariites between the music, investment 'biz'Musicians and investment professionals have a lot in common. But, our resident investment expert claims, to say the best investors, like the best musicians, made it to the top through luck is wrong. Try telling Led Zeppelin they were just lucky, and see what happens.聽
