All Economy
- 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 résumé 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.
- Argentina: Keeping up with the Chavezes?President Cristina Kirchner's plan to seize a majority stake in oil company YPF SA, owned by Repsol YPF of Spain, is causing diplomatic tensions with Spain and the European Union.Â
- Barnes and Noble stock soars on Microsoft team-upBarnes and Noble stock went zooming following an infusion of money from Microsoft to create a subsidiary for Barnes & Noble's e-book and college textbook businesses.
- Double-dip recessions in Spain and UK. Which is worse?Spain and the UK have both reported double-dip recession. One striking difference is the rates of real wages and employment.Â
- What's the first step to get out of debt?Hiding from your debt won't help. Here's the first step towards breaking out of the debt cycle.Â
- Sunoco to be sold for $5.3 billionSunoco Inc. will be sold to natural gas company Energy Transfer Partners in a deal valued at about $5.3 billion. Sunoco had been looking to exit the refining business prior to the deal.Â
- Student loan bill? Not so fast.Student loan bill, which would keep graduates' interest rate costs from doubling, gets caught up in election free-for-all. House passes student loan bill, despite Obama veto threat.
- Smartphones: Is Apple or Samsung No. 1?Smartphones sales are clearly reported by Apple. But Samsung remains very vague about how many smartphones it makes.
- Growing like gangbusters, Turkey says Western economies need 'serious reforms'Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan warned Friday that the US and Europe were not doing enough to resolve the core causes of the global economic slowdown.
- Mad cow: Latest episode raises questions about cattle feedThe riskiest parts of rendered cows aren’t supposed to be fed back to other cows. But they are fed to chickens, whose waste can be fed back to cattle in what one critic calls ‘cow cannibalism.’
- 401(k) plans: A way to save for house down payment?401(k) plans sometimes allow you to borrow from them. So are 401(k) plans a good way to save for buying a home? Question No. 6 in this reader mailbag.