COMMODITIES

Labor Day 2011

Labor Day 2011: Simply, U.S. Needs Millions of New Jobs

The United States enters this Labor Day faced with many problems, and the most serious of which concerns jobs -- the state of working America is in its most trying condition in generations, with the unemployment at a very high 9.1 percent, and the nation short at least 11 million jobs.
U.S. Stock Market

Is the Dow Headed Higher or Lower?

To say it's been a discomforting time for U.S. stock investors lately would be an understatement. Europe debt concerns, a tepid U.S. economic recovery that’s not creating enough jobs, and now Hurricane Irene’s damage has jolted institutional investors. Given the above, where’s the Dow headed from here?
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U.S. Job Market

U.S. Economy Adds Zero Jobs: The Bigger Picture

The U.S. economy created no net new jobs in August -- a disappointing report that will likely increase pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to deploy additional monetary tactics to help rev-up GDP growth to create the millions of jobs the nation needs. Also, the unemployment rate remained the same, at an eye-sore level of 9.1 percent.
U.S. President Barack Obama

August Jobs Report: Pressure on Obama Mounts

Amid a dismal August jobs report Friday that showed a net zero jobs were created in the U.S. last month, fueling concerns that the nation is heading for another recession, pressure mounts on President Barack Obama ahead of his major jobs speech before Congress on Sept. 8.
Oil's Dip.

Brent Crude Holds at $114, Awaiting U.S. Jobs Report

Brent crude hovered at $114 a barrel Friday, on track for its second consecutive weekly gain, as investors eyed U.S. jobs data for clues on whether the world's largest oil consumer will be able to dodge a recession.
2012 U.S. Election

Romney Realizes He Has Competition, But is it Too Late?

Almost from the start, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has enjoyed a relatively comfortable lead over his competitors in the GOP presidential race, but it was only a matter of time until someone usurped his title as No. 1. The time has finally come -- and it has come in the form of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
U.S. Labor Market

Jobless Claims Down, but Show No Improvement in Job Market

Just call it a tread water week for U.S. jobless claims, as they fell 12,000 last week to 409,000, the U.S. Labor Department announced Thursday, but the drop is a qualified one because some of the decline stemmed from the fact that initial claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 421,000 from the initially estimated 417,000.
U.S. Oil Prices

Oil Prices Plunge in August: A ‘Tax Cut’ for the American People

Finally some good news for the American people on the U.S. economy front: Oil is on track to record in August its biggest monthly price decline since May -- something that will put more money in the pockets of consumers and also boost U.S. GDP growth, if the price reduction holds.
Teens Get Smarter as They Age, Especially the Older Ones

U.S. Teen Unemployment at Unprecedented Levels

Unemployment in the U.S. has been stubbornly high and presents the largest single obstacle to the re-election hopes of Barack Obama. But joblessness among Americans who cannot yet vote – teenagers – are at levels that are both staggering and unprecedented. One labor economist tells IBTimes, “We have never experienced this amount of joblessness among teens.”

Brent Crude Holds Around $114

Brent crude hovered at $114 a barrel Wednesday, after posting six days of gains, on expectations the United States will act again to try and boost growth and increase demand for oil.
U.S. Federal Reserve

Fed Minutes: A Few Board Members Favored ‘More Substantive’ Action

The latest Fed minutes show is that the central bank is well aware that the U.S. economic recovery is underperforming -- it's like a car traveling in the right lane on an interstate highway at 40 miles per hour (barely adequate) -- and it's prepared to take additional action to strengthen the recovery, should the tepid growth conditions continue.
U.S. Stock Market

U.S. Stock Market: Post-Irene Rally or ‘Dead Cat’ Bounce?

Amid a sluggish U.S. job market, a patch-work recovery in the housing market sector, and now damage from Hurricane Irene, it's understandable if U.S. investors are hesitant regarding deploying new money to the stock market. Where's the Dow Jones Industrial Average headed from here?

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