U.S. Stocks Fall on Concern Rally Outpaced Recovery Prospects

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U.S. stocks slid, capping the first weekly drop for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in more than a month, as lower-than-estimated consumer confidence added to concern a five-month rally outpaced prospects for the economy. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/14/2009 Keys: Stock market, economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aAXWJXOKPGC4 Questions for discussion: Do you agree… Read more »

S&P 500 Tops 1,000 in Fourth Weekly Gain on Better Labor Market

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U.S. stocks rose for a fourth week, pushing the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index above 1,000 for the first time since November, as better-than-estimated employment, manufacturing and home sales data boosted confidence that the worst slump since the Great Depression is ending. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/08/2009 Keys: Stock market, economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link:… Read more »

U.S. Economy: Recession Eases, Consumer-Spending Slump Deepens

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The worst U.S. economic slump since the Great Depression abated in the second quarter as government spending programs started to kick in, while the sharpest pullback by consumers since 1980 augured a muted recovery. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/01/2009 Keys: Economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aRV7ZR6CGNQY Questions for discussion: Do you believe the economy will… Read more »

Sales Fail to Keep Pace With Profits as Economy Stays Sluggish

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Sales growth lagged behind profits as companies in the Standard & Poors’ 500 Index beat analysts’ estimates this week, a signal that economic recovery may be slow. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 7/25/2009 Keys: Economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8SqhtHkyfL4 Questions for discussion: Explain what the article says about the relationship between sales revenues and profits…. Read more »

Job market takes turn for worse

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Employers cut more jobs than expected in June and unemployment rate climbed for the ninth straight month, hitting 9.5%. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 7/03/2009 Keys: Economic activity, business cycle, government Link: http://money.cnn.com Questions for discussion: What does the high level of unemployment suggest about the current and future state of business activities? Explain your thinking. Why… Read more »

U.S. Job Losses Slow, Signaling Recession Is Abating

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The U.S. lost fewer jobs than forecast in May, reinforcing signs that the deepest recession in half a century is starting to abate. Source: Bloomberg  News Date: 6/05/2009 Keys: Economy, business cycle, economic indicators, employment Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSRonN0872Wg&refer=news Questions for discussion: The economic indicators suggest that the recession is ending. Which businesses do you think will… Read more »

Economic Free-fall coming to an end

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Presidential adviser Larry Summers is optimistic for an economic turnaround. Source: ABCNews – video report Date: 4/10/2009 Keys: Economic indicators, business cycle, forecasting sales Link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7305232 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with Larry Summers’ forecast? Explain your reasoning. What do you think of the predictors of economic activity mentioned in the article? What other… Read more »