All Economy
Gas prices: How much will they hurt the economy?Gas prices are slated to hit new highs within months. How might that affect the modest economic recovery? Here's a clue: Every 10-cent rise per gallon in gas prices costs the US economy $11 billion.
Solar power: the fix for Africa's frustration with the grid?As solar power becomes more affordable and efficient, it could spread in Africa, much in the way cell phones took over without widespread infrastructure, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Tech stocks: some help from Yelp?Tech stocks may see some of the buzz generated by the successful IPO of Yelp, prospects of a Facebook IPO, and the boost in the Nasdaq. Among tech stocks, Microsoft may benefit the most.
Why finance heads shouldn't be judged by the marketThe problem is that聽incentive compensation based on financial performance does a lousy job of聽distinguishing skill from luck.
Student loans or house downpayment? Where to spend $25,000.Student loans worth $25,000 will start accruing interest in November, but a young couple wants to buy a house in 2013. Should they pay off the student loans or buy a home? See question No. 4 in this reader mailbag.
Gas prices force cash-strapped cities to get creativeHow do cities stay on budget amid rising gas prices? No idling cop cars, shorter library times, and new garbage routes. But it's a delicate balancing act that could get tougher.
30-year mortgage rate falls to 3.9 percent30-year mortgage rate falls again to near-record lows. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates have stayed below 4 percent for 13 weeks in a row.
With BP oil spill billions at stake, why did Gulf fishermen suddenly settle?News that 100,000 fishermen and oil spill workers settled with BP for $7.8 billion rather than going to trial suggests a lesson from the Valdez spill: Drawn-out litigation can become its own tragedy.- Chevy Volt sales so slow, GM idles productionChevy Volt sales should be perking up with high gas prices. Instead, General Motors has decided to stop producing the Chevy Volt for five weeks.
Five things Millennials never want to hear The workplace has a recurring habit of throwing generations together and forcing them to cooperate. As Millennials (age 18-30), one of the largest cohorts in modern America, join the labor force, GenXers, boomers, and seniors are having to learn how to get along with their new employees. It isn't always easy. Millennials usually have broader experience with technology than their older colleagues do and are widely regarded as competitive, collaborative, and passionate, but also persistent and self-possessed to the point of feeling entitled to promotions they haven't earned. So here are five things not to say to these young and talented workers along with suggestions on how to improve the communication:
Unexpected windfall? Put it in a CD.Locking your money away in a CD provides you a period of 鈥渃ooldown鈥� where you can think rationally about what to do with the money instead of making a spur-of-the-moment (and likely poor) decision about how to it.
BP settles spill claims for $7.8 billion. Will victims take it?BP settlement of worst US offshore oil spill involves 100,000 claims by fishermen, cleanup workers, and others. The $7.8 billion settlement is in addition to a $20 billion BP compensation fund.
The return of the bull market?As long as the economy keeps growing on a foundation based on debt, the bull market cannot last.
For bailout nations, new EU treaty is high price to payA new EU fiscal treaty could help keep national governments from overspending. But for EU nations already receiving bailouts, its conditions would be a big blow to their economies and national pride.
Stocks slip; Yelp IPO skyrocketsThe Dow slid 2 points to close at 12977, but the Yelp IPO surged 64 percent in its first day of trading
How will Romney account for billions of lost revenue?Romney rolled out a new tax proposal after many Republicans blasted his initial plan as too cautious. His plans to聽cut income tax rates by 20 percent and eliminate the聽Alternative Minimum Tax sound appealing, but he offers no specifics on how he'll offset the billions in lost revenue.聽
Yelp IPO makes a splash on Wall Street. Will it drown?Yelp stock soars 60 percent on its first day of trading. But the track record of recent technology IPOs is not encouraging.
When financial rules are wrongPersonal finance rules are rarely right in all situations. If the rules and the facts disagree, don't be afraid to buck the rule.
US jobless claims remain near 4 year lowInitial jobless claims declined to 351,000 claims from last week's 353,000 claims, while continued jobless claims fell by 2,000.聽
Checking fees too high? Customers eye credit unions.Checking fees, other charges caused credit unions to gain double the normal number of customers. Mulling more hikes in checking fees, big banks could lose more customers, advocates say.聽