U.S. economic growth slowed during 2011’s first quarter, impacted by higher energy prices and poor weather. Such growth is likely to pick up speed in coming quarters. The American economy grew at a 1.8% real (after inflation) annual rate during the January–March 2011 quarter, the weakest performance since 2010’s second quarter. The meager 1.8% growth [...]
Archive of posts tagged GDP
Lookin’ Back…Lookin’ Forward
Calendar year 2010 was quite an emotional ride, with numerous unprecedented events taking place. Let’s hope 2011 is a bit tamer, even as U.S. economic performance is likely to improve. Let’s see… 2010’s list included mind-boggling government stimulus and associated budget deficits around the globe…enormous financial pressure on Southern European nations to get a handle [...]
35 Miles Per Hour
The American economy is a modified “hot rod” featuring two separate gas pedals—with each pedal pushed fully to the floor. Despite this fact, the American economy is lumbering down the track at a less-than-blistering 35 miles per hour pace… …someone please release the brake Actually, this moving contraption has a variety of hand brakes…all engaged. [...]
Happy Talk
The “dismal science” of economics typically focuses on “bad” news. We clearly face many significant challenges…no argument here. However, there are also many favorable developments taking place within the U.S. economy. This is our semi-annual update of “Happy Talk.” This Tea Leaf focuses ONLY on the “good” news… Economic output of the average American worker [...]
No Confidence
Note the direction of U.S. economic growth during the past few quarters as identified in the quarterly growth chart—from a solid 5.0% real (after inflation) annual rate late last year, to a still respectable 3.7% pace during the winter, to an anemic 1.6% annual rate in the quarter just ended… Observe that the revised 1.6% [...]
An Economic Chat
During the past 35 years of writing a weekly economic, financial, and (sometimes) political newsletter, I have periodically tried to present information in an unusual format so as to make “the dismal science” less intimidating and more interesting. Over the years, we have occasionally run a discussion between two old friends—Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones—regarding [...]
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