All Economy
- My Nissan Leaf life: Why I bought a Nissan LeafNissan Leaf will save $1,000 a year in fuel bills. But the real reason I bought one? 9/11.
- Electric-car sales fall in AprilNissan Leaf sees biggest fall, with only 370 cars sold. Prius plug-in hybrids see biggest sales, with more than 1,600 sold in April.聽
- Buried in debt? How a credit union can help.A credit union is a very useful tool for someone who is trying to get their debt load under control. Don鈥檛 neglect to use it.
- Mercedes-Benz poised to become No. 2 luxury automaker?Mercedes-Benz has plans to launch new small cars over the next few years in its battle to overtake Audi for second place behind BMW. A new German report suggests Mercedes-Benz can accomplish it by 2015.
- Should US ban cellphone use by drivers?Transportation Secretary LaHood is calling for a federal ban on cellphone use in cars. But states, not the federal government, have traditionally set the rules.
- Dow Jones hits highest mark since 2007The fastest growth in US manufacturing in 10 months gave stocks a lift Tuesday and pushed the Dow Jones industrial average to its highest close in more than four years.
- The battle of the Pauls: Ron Paul talks economic theoryRon Paul and economist Paul Krugman debated fiscal theory on Bloomberg TV. Who won?
- Forgiving mortgage loans would save taxpayers money, say Fannie Mae papersMortgage loans聽giant Fannie Mae supported principal reductions for some struggling homeowners in 2009
- Oil prices drive Delta Air Lines to buy its own refinery. Will that work?Delta Air Lines wants to better control the cost of refining oil for jet fuel. The cost savings won't be enormous, but in such a competitive industry, every little bit helps.
- US manufacturing on the riseManufacturing activity improved in April. At 54.8 the purchasing manager鈥檚 composite index (PMI) rose 2.62 percent聽 since March, remaining 8.21 percent below the level seen a year earlier.
- Brooklyn Nets launch new logo. Reactions mixedThe Brooklyn Nets have released a new logo, designed by rapper and co-owner Jay-Z. Love it or hate it, it won't really catch on until the Brooklyn Nets start winning more basketball games.
- Construction spending improves. Slowly.On a month-to-month basis, total residential spending increased a slight 0.68 percent from February and rose 7.42 percent above the level seen in March 2011 while remaining a whopping 63.91 percent below the peak level seen in 2006.
- Memories are a durable investmentSkip the new high heels. You'll get more lasting enjoyment out of going bungee jumping, driving hours to try a new restaurant, or getting lost on vacation.
- Why unemployment isn't a r茅sum茅 busterIf you're trying to claw your way back into the job market after being unemployed or underemployed, there's finally some good news for you. Being unemployed doesn't carry the stigma that it used to.
- Student loans equal $35,000. Pay 'em off or save?Student loans have variable interest rates, but they're low now. So concentrate first on an emergency fund. See question No. 4 in the reader mailbag.
- To get out of debt, refinance and consolidate firstThe most painful part of debt is the interest, which can be crushing. Refinancing to reduce interest rates can make a world of difference.
- Spain enters recession; Dow and S&P 500 fallSpain reentered a recession Monday, renewing fears about Europe's economic stability and sending stocks lower. The Dow fell 14 points to close at 13213; the Standard and Poor 500 index had its first monthly loss since November.
- Drill for oil in Somalia? Why not, says Australian firmAustralia-based Jacka Resources plans to start oil exploration in Somaliland, a region of Somalia that declared itself independent in 1991. Nice work if you can get it.
- High gas prices? Don't (always) blame oil speculators.Most people would probably agree that speculation in the oil and gas markets is hurting American consumers. But speculation is not a one-way street where the average consumer always loses.
- Why stock market is spinning its wheels despite positive trendsConsumer income and spending are up, but the stock market has been largely stagnant since February. Two big trends could be behind the Dow's tepid spring.