US Economy: Most Popular Articles

Recession FAQ
Definition of recession, how recession affects the U.S. Economy and how recession affects you.

What Is The U.S. Economy?
Defines GDP, describes how it acts as the economic indicator of the US economy and how it affects the reader.

Value of the U.S. Dollar
The value of the US Dollar can be measured in many ways - exchange rates, Treasury yields and foreign currency reserves. Learn how the decline of the value of the dollar affects the US economy.

Subprime Mortgage Crisis
The subprime mortgage crisis is threatening to put the U.S. economy into a recession. This primer tracks how the subprime crisis unfolded, affecting first the real estate market and now the economy overall. It gives you definitions of important terms. It also explains how interest rates and real estate play an integral role in the U.S. economy. Finally, it gives resources for those who are suffering from the subprime mortgage crisis directly.

GDP Growth Rate
Defines the difference between the measurement of GDP and the GDP growth rate.

Federal Tax Rebate Plan
President Bush has proposed a tax rebate plan to provide an economic stimulus and hopefully head of a recession. Learn the the pros and cons of tax rebates as an economic stimulus. Find out how the income tax rebate will probably affect the U.S. economy, and whether it will be effective in heading off a recession.

What is Inflation?
definition of inflation

GDP Current Statistics
A summary of current U.S. GDP statistics, including GDP definitions, GDP descriptions, and links to each GDP statistical report from Q4 2006 through 2008.

Crude Oil Prices Definition
How crude oil prices are measured, their impact on the economy, and past trends. Where will oil and gas prices go in the next year?

Great Depression of 1929
How the Great Depression of 1929 affected the U.S. Economy. What caused the Great Depression of 1929, and how it ended. Whether an economic depression of that scale could happen again.

Economic Depression
Definition of Economic Depression

Components of GDP
Components of GDP

How Are Oil Prices Determined?
An easy-to-use description of the factors that impact oil prices in the commodities market.

Federal Reserve Interest Rates
A primer which explains why the Fed lowered the Federal Reserve interest rate, how it will affect the U.S. economy, and what it means for you.

Dollar Decline or Collapse
Reasons for the decline in the value of the US dollar, why it won't collapse, and what you can do about it.

U.S. National Debt
A description of the US national debt, how the US debt got so large, and who owns it. How the US debt impacts you and the economy.

Presidential Candidates Issues
Compare the 2008 Presidential Candidates on the economic issues. Includes the candidates proposals for short-term economic stimulus and their long-term economic platforms. Reviews the potential impact of their platforms on the economy.

Subprime Mortgages
A definition of subprime mortgages, which are granted to borrowers with less than perfect credit.

A Primer on Interest Rates
Basic primer on interest rates, including Fed Funds rate, Treasury Bonds, and mortgage interest rates. Explains how interest rates affect the economy and your life. Discusses future interest rate trends, and the impact of an inverted yield curve.

John McCain Economic Platform
A profile of John McCain's economic platform and its impact on the economy.

Impact of Inflation
How inflation impacts the consumer through effect on prices and Treasury bonds

Federal Funds Rate
What the Fed Funds Rate is, and how it is used by the Federal Reserve to manage the U.S. economy.

Banking Crisis Primer
How and Why the Federal Reserve Intervened in the Banking Mortgage Liquidity Crisis

Gas and Oil Prices
The relationship between oil and gas prices, how crude oil prices affect gas prices,and how both affect the US economy.

LIBOR Rates
The LIBOR rate is that interest rate that banks charge each other.

What Are Commodities Futures?
An easy-to-use definition of commodities futures, how they work, and the investment risks.

Facts About NAFTA
A history of NAFTA, and an overview of the benefits and problems with NAFTA for Mexico, Canada and the U.S.

What are Treasury Bonds?
A definition of Treasury bills, Treasury bonds, and Treasury notes.

Unemployment Rate
Explains what the Unemployment Rate measures, why it is important, and how it affects the U.S. economy. Describes past and potential unemployment rate future trends. Explains how knowledge of the unemployment rate can improve your financial security.

Control Inflation
How the Fed fights inflation. How Fed Chair Bernanke differs from former Fed Chair Greenspan.

Why Gas Prices Are So High
High gas prices are caused by high oil prices, which are usually caused by supply and demand. However, 2008 high gas prices are also caused by commodities traders. Find out if high gas prices will ever go down, and what can be done about high gas prices.

Disadvantages of NAFTA
An outline of the disadvantages of NAFTA.

Clinton Economic Platform
A profile of 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton's economic platform and how it would affect the U.S. economy.

Securities
Securities is a term used to loosely describe stocks, bonds and any other ownership investment.

Ideal GDP Growth Rate
Determining the ideal gdp growth rate. How the government tries to avoid recession and inflation.

Power of the U.S. Dollar
The power of the US dollar means that it is in little danger of a collapse. This strength comes from its position as an international currency and its backing by the power of the US economy.

What Are Exchange Rates?
Definition of exchange rates

Savings and Loans Crisis
The Savings and Loans Crisis in the late 1980's resulted in the bankruptcy of half of the Savings and Loan banks in the U.S.

Obama's Economic Platform
A profile of 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama's economic platform and how it would affect the U.S. economy.

economy of scale
Reducing cost per unit due to large size

What Are Commodities?
A definition of commodities, the commodities markets and how commodities futures work.

Advantages of NAFTA
The advantages of NAFTA for Mexico, Canada and the U.S. include an increase in trade which has contributed to economic growth.

Interest Rate
A definition of interest rate, including central bank interest rates.

History of NAFTA
An overview of the history of NAFTA.

Federal Reserve System
Federal Reserve - A Description of the Federal Reserve System - How the Fed Relates to the US Economy

The Second Great Depression?
Is the U.S. headed towards the Second Great Depression? Arguments pro and con about whether current economic conditions are leading the U.S. economy into the Second Great Depression

What Are Hedge Funds?
Defines hedge funds and hedge fund managers and explains the difference between hedge funds and mutual funds.

Bonds Impact on Mortgages
An explanation of how bonds affect mortgage interest rates.

The U.S. Trade Deficit - 2007
The US Trade Deficit - A Description of the US Trade Deficit and Its Impact on the US Economy

Biggest Threat to U.S. Economy
A primer on the U.S. current account deficit which discusses why some think the deficit is unsustainable, posing the greatest single threat to the global economy. Others state that, since the U.S. economy is so large and comparatively stable, it is unlike other countries and can carry this deficit without problem.

Prime Interest Rate
The prime interest rate is what banks charge their best customers.

Treasury Note & Bond Yields
A definition of Treasury note and bond yields, how they impact the U.S. economy, and a forecast of future trends.

Natural Unemployment Rate
Natural unemployment rate is a certain amount of unemployment due to job turnover, mismatch between jobs and skills, and minimum wage laws, for example.

What Are Stocks?
A definition of stocks.

CDO's
CDO's, or Collateralized Debt Obligations, are sophisticated financial tools that repackage individual loans into a product that can be sold on the secondary market.

Real Estate Affect on Economy
How the real estate market affects the U.S. economy.

U.S. Federal Budget Deficit
An explanation of the US federal budget deficit, how it affects the U.S. Economy and why you should be concerned.

Secondary Mortgage Market
How mortgages are sold by the banks to investors.

Expansionary Monetary Policy
A definition of expansionary monetary policy.

Monetary Policy
A definition of monetary policy and how monetary policy affects the U.S. Economy.

Stock Market Components
Explains components of the stock market, including the Dow Jones averages, NASDAQ, NYSE, mutual funds, bonds, and commodities.

Why Are Oil Prices So High?
High oil prices are caused by supply and demand. However, 2008 high oil prices are also caused by commodities traders. Find out how high oil prices impact you and the U.S. economy.

Budget -Discretionary Spending
An easy-to-understand analysis of the FY 2008 President’s Budget for discretionary spending programs, including Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, State Department, Health and Human Services and NASA. How it affects the U.S. Economy

Mortgage-backed Securities
Defines how mortgages are packaged to be sold on the secondary market.

Fiscal Policy
A definition of fiscal policy with links to descriptions of the components of fiscal policy, including revenue, taxes, mandatory spending, discretionary spending, and the budget deficit.

Inflation Major Players
Describes the most recent and current Federal Reserve Chairmen.

Other Fed Tools
The tools used by the Federal Reserve, other than the prime interest rate, to controls inflation in the U.S. economy. These tools include reserve requirements, discount window, money supply (M1 and M2).

Economy and Global Warming
How global warming affects the U.S. economy.

Protection From Inflation
Suggests several ways to protect your portfolio from inflation.

Dollar Collapse Imminent
Is the U.S. Dollar in danger of an imminent collapse? What would cause a dollar collapse? If the dollar does collapse, what will happen? What is the best way to protect your finances against a dollar collapse?

BEA
Bureau of Economic Analysis - A Profile of the BEA and Its Role in the US Economy. The BEA provides some of the most closely watched economic indicators relating to the U.S. economy.

recession and depression
This introduction to recession and depression will answer whether we are in a recession or depression now. It also defines recession and depression, and explains the causes of recession and depression. You will learn the difference between recession vs depression, and a little history about the Great Depression of 1929. Finally, learn how to prepare for a recession.

Bonds
Provides an easy-to-use definition of bonds and how they are used.

What Was the LTCM Crisis?
Definition of the Long Term Capital Management (LTCM) crisis. Who was Long Term Capital Management and why the LTCM Crisis happened and its impact on the U.S. economy.

Subprime Mortgage Crisis Cause
The Subprime Mortgage Crisis threatens to throw the U.S. economy into a recession. This primer explains the innovative financial tools that allowed lenders to lend to subprime borrowers without taking responsibility for the risk of future default. As adjustable mortgage interest rates reset, and borrowers defaulted, these tools spread that risk into every corner of the globe. This has created a widespread crisis that shows no signs of ending.

multilateral
The definition of multilateral trade agreements.

Contractionary Monetary Policy
Definition of contractionary monetary policy and how the Fed uses contractionary monetary policy to avoid inflation.

U.S. Federal Budget FY 2008
An easy-to-understand primer on the FY 2008 U.S. Federal Budget. How the President’s Budget proposal would impact the U.S. economy.

CPI
Consumer Price Index CPI - A Description of the CPI as It Relates to Inflation and the US Economy

Monopoly
Definition of monopoly and how monopolies used to threaten the U.S. economy by restricting free trade.

How Is Unemployment Defined?
Definition of Unemployment

The Power of the U.S. Economy
The U.S. Economy - A Description of Its Power And Influence on the World Output

Financial Markets Introduction
An introduction to the financial markets, including a definition of financial markets, a description the components of the financial markets and how the markets impact the U.S. economy.

Why Inflation Became a Concern
Why inflation hasn't been a concern until now.

How Do Exchange Rates Work?
Definition of how exchange rates work and what they do.

What Types of Bonds Are There?
Describes the different types of bonds, including corporate bonds, junk bonds aka high yield bonds, Treasury bonds, savings bonds and municipal bonds.

U.S. Military Budget - FY 2008
An easy-to-understand analysis of the US Military Budget for FY 2008. How it will affect the U.S. economy, and whether the OMB’s economic projections are realistic.

Stock Market Crash & Recession
The circumstances under which a stock market crash could cause a recession.

U.S. Federal Budget - Revenue
An easy-to-understand analysis of how the US Federal Budget FY 2008 revenue projections will affect the US economy. Reviews the government's economic growth projections, and how the revenue projections ignore fixing the AMT and borrowing from Social Security.

Picking Good Funds
Easy-to-use tips on finding good mutual funds in which to invest.

WTO Membership
Why is WTO Membership So Important?

Stocks and U.S. Economy
A brief description of how stocks and stock investing affects the U.S. economy.

Current Employment Statistics
Current US Employment Statistics

NYSE
Explains the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), how it works, and why it is important to the U.S. economy.

How to Buy Stocks
A brief description of how individual investors can participate in stock investing.

Commodities and the US Economy
Commodities and commodities trading definition and how commodities trading affects the US economy.

Subprime Mortgages and FNMA
Find out how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped create the current subprime mortgage crisis.

Economic Recession
Easy-to-use definition of economic recession.

Mutual Funds
Describes mutual funds, how they are different from stocks, and how they impact the US economy.

Fannie Mae (FNMA)
Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored entity that provides a secondary market for home mortgages.

Consumer Confidence Index
Consumer Confidence Index definition, trends, outlook and how it affects the U.S. economy.

most favored nation
Defintion of Most Favored Nation status

U.S.Budget Mandatory Spending
An easy-to-understand analysis of the FY 2008 President’s Budget for mandatory spending programs. The outlook for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Stock Investing Benefits
Definition of stock investing and the benefits for the individual investor.

How Is Employment Defined?
Definition of employment by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. How to use employment data to gauge the health of the U.S. economy

Call Option
Definition of a call option, which gives the holder the option to buy a stock at a certain price.

Mutual Funds or Stocks?
The benefits of mutual funds vs stock investing.

Asset-backed Commercial Paper
Asset-backed Commercial Paper (ABCP) is short-term corporate debt that is backed by assets such as real estate, autos and other commercial assets.

Interest-only Loan
A definition of an interest-only loan, in which the borrower's monthly payment is only towards the interest.

Liquidity
Liquidity is the amount of capital available for investment.

Bonds and the Stock Market
An easy-to-use description of how bonds and stocks are different, and how the two market interact.

OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

Adjustable Rate Mortgage
A definition of adjustable rate mortgages, and how adjustable rate mortgages work.

Return to Gold Standard
What the gold standard is, the history of the gold standard, and why a return to the gold standard would adversely affect the U.S. economy

Current Account Deficit
Current account deficit - What happens when the U.S. consumer buys more than U.S. companies sell.

Fiscal Year
A definition of the U.S. Government's Fiscal Year.

President's Economic Report
An easy-to-understand analysis of the FY 2009 Economic Report of the President and how it relates to the U.S. economy.

Trade Deficit
U.S. Trade Deficit, or what happens when a country consumes more than it produces.

Who Invests in Hedge Funds?
Hedge fund investors are generally wealthier and more sophisticated than the individual investors.

Supply Affect Economy
Provides a brief introduction to the components of supply. Describes inputs, such as labor, capital, and natural resources. Economic outputs are also explained, including products and services.

What Are Dow Jones Averages?
Explains the Dow Jones Averages, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Dow Jones Utility Average, and why each are important to understanding the US economy.

Unemployment Controls
How the government controls unemployment.

What Are Savings Bonds?
A definition of savings bonds and the pluses and minuses of investing in them.

Hedge Funds and Stock Market
How hedge funds have increased the volatility of the stock market.

What Is the NASDAQ?
Explains what the NASDAQ is, and how it is important to the U.S. economy.

Historical Fed Funds Rate
A profile of the historical Fed Funds Rate and how it affected the economy.

Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac is a government-sponsored entity that provides a secondary market for home mortgages.

Inverted Yield Curve
Inverted yield curve definition, why it is happening, why it can often forecast a recession, and why that might not be true this time.

Conventional Mortgages
Definition of conventional mortgages, which include fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages.

Bonds Impact on the US Economy
How bonds and the bond market impact the U.S economy.

Bilateral Trade Agreement
Definition of bilateral trade agreements.

Supply-side Economics
Supply-side economics is an economic theory that states that a reduction in taxes stimulates the economy enough to recoup the lost revenue. This profile analyzes the studies that show whether this is true or not.

FIRREA
Explains what is FIRREA, or the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989.

Fixed Rate Mortgage
Definition of fixed rate mortgages, how fixed rate mortgages work, and how they differ from other mortgages.

Durable Goods Orders
What the durable goods orders economic indicator actually measures, why it is important, and how to use it to gauge the economy’s health.

What is the Fed?
How the Fed was created and what it does now.

U.S. Regional Trade Agreements
US Regional Trade Agreements - A Description of the Agreements Related to the US Economy - NAFTA, CAFTA, MEFTI, FTAA.

Discount Window
The Federal Reserve uses the discount window to lends money overnight to banks.

Put Option
Definition of a put option, also known as a put, which is an option to sell stock.

Derivatives
A definition of how financial derivatives, such as options and futures contracts, are used in to trade in the stock market.

What Are Municipal Bonds?
A definition of municipal bonds, and the benefits they offer for investors.

Protection from unemployment
How to prevent Unemployment

World Trade Organization (WTO)
A definition of the world's most important trade organization.

Price Fixing
Definition of price fixing, and how price fixing affects the U.S. economy

Mortgage
A mortgage is a specialized loan to make homeownership more accessible.

U.S. Debt and Deficit
The US Deficit contributes to the US Debt, and vice versa. As both escalate, they negatively impact economic growth.

Hedge Funds Impact the Economy
How hedge funds impact the U.S. economy, which is a result of the increasing impact of hedge funds on the stock market and oil prices.

What Are Corporate Bonds?
A definition of corporate bonds, and the advantages of corporate bonds to investors.

What Are Junk Bonds?
A definition of junk bonds, aka high yield bonds, and the advantages for the individual investor.

Stock Market Crash
What makes a stock market crash different from a stock market decline.