All Economy
- Obama's business tax reform: A good startThe president's Framework for Business Reform does a great job in identifying what's wrong with the way businesses are taxed. But the cure for those problems leaves a lot to be desired.
- Americans' trend line on gasoline: Use less, spend moreUS oil consumption is down, and fuel economy for new vehicles is at an all-time high. Despite these leaner ways, Americans are spending 65 percent more on gasoline since 2005. Why?
- Why the young are forced to pay the old's debtsInstead of families paying for their children鈥檚 education, they force the children to borrow the money from the government. Then, paying it back, the money is recycled to old people 鈥 through Social Security, Medicare, and so forth. How long will they put up with it?
- Sears posts $2.4 billion loss, shedding some storesThe disclosures of the store plans came as the Hoffman Estates, Illionis-based company reported it swung to a loss in the fourth-quarter while revenue fell 4 percent to $12.48 billion.
- GOP's big investors: Who's really running for president?A handful of billionaires are all but funding the GOP primaries. Never before have so few spent so much to influence so many.
- Stocks close lower after flirting with 13000The Dow lost 27 points to close at 12938 Tuesday as stocks closed lower for the first time in four trading days.
- Existing home sales climbSingle family home sales increased 3.8 percent from December and rose 2.3 percent above the level seen in January 2011.
- Honda recall involves Odyssey minivans. Is yours on the list?Honda recall targets 45,800 Odyssey minivans made in 2008 and early 2009. The Honda recall is due to problems with lifts that hold up the rear tailgate door.
- Microsoft wages patent battle with Motorola and GoogleMotorola has been hit with complaints from Microsoft and Apple regarding strict patent regulations, while Motorola says both companies are taking too many liberties with its patents. Will they reach a compromise?
- Payroll tax cut full of budget gimmicksThere are two gimmicks happening here. Both are functions of the 10-year budget window the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation use to score legislation.
- Housing market showing signs of turnaroundLast year was so dismal, home sales almost certainly have to go up in 2012. If home prices stabilize later this year, as many analysts expect, the housing market will be set for a turnaround.聽
- No change in low mortgage ratesThe average rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage went unchanged at 3.98 percent since last week while the purchase application volume declined 2.9 percent and the refinance application declined 4.8 percent over the same period.
- Dow breaks 13000 but can't stay thereThe Dow rose 15 points to close at 12965, just shy of the 13000 mark that it crossed earlier Tuesday. It was the first time the index had reached that mark since 2008.
- Oil prices in Europe near 2008 peak levelsThe price of oil in Europe is rising, in part due to a supply cut from Iran and in part due to inflationary monetary policies.
- Taco Bell throws down, takes on McDonald'sTaco Bell is introducing a new fresh menu and a Dorito-flavored shell in an attempt to gain a larger share of the fast food market and compete with Chipotle. Investors, take note.
- Social Security benefits: How to prepare for the tax hitSocial Security income triggers big tax for newlyweds. How do you cope? See question No. 2 on Social Security and taxes in the reader mailbag.聽
- US budget: fiscal showdown or kick the can?Congress faces a six-pack of temporary tax cuts that expire soon and could provide the incentive to reshape the tax code and boost the budget. 聽聽
- Four bank fees you should never tolerateIf upon examining your bank statement you see any of the four fees below, it's a good sign that it's time to switch banks.
- Why hedge funds are a joke2011 should have been the perfect year for hedge funds to thrive. What happened?
- How to invest in the housing market. Really.Greg Lippmann, made a star by author Michael Lewis in The Big Short, for making millions on the housing collapse, is now taking the other side of the bet and buying mortgage backed securities. It seems foolish on the surface, but it's actually a shrewd investing opportunity.