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Around Resorts, Boomlet Towns Thrive, Too
Around the country, more Americans are living where they want to, not where they have to. They're making new lives for themselves by the beach and in the mountains. Locals who have been forced out often buy houses nearby — and have their own effect on smaller towns.
Maine Lobstermen Suffer: Market Drops, Fuel Rises
Lobstermen have seen their catch drop by half while fuel prices have tripled in recent years. With prices and sales flat, the fishermen are struggling to adapt to the times.
Soaring Food Prices Threaten Progress
Food prices around the world have hit record highs — and that's starting to take a toll. For example, some experts worry those left hungry in Ethiopia will suffer permanent physical and mental disabilities, such as chronic illness and lower IQ.
How To Know If You're Rich
Pastor Rick Warren asked both presidential candidates about their definition of "rich" this weekend. They gave very different answers. Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute offers his definition of rich, middle class and upper middle class.
Fannie And Freddie Still Shaking
After a bail-out last month, the government-sponsored companies are still on unsteady ground. The director of macroeconomics at Moody's Economy.com examines what trouble for Fannie and Freddie means for the economy.
'Marketplace' Report: Inflation Surges
The Labor Department reports that prices at the wholesale level shot up 1.2 percent in July — the hottest inflation since 1981. The federal government blames rising energy motor vehicles costs, among other matters.
Tax Credit For First-Time Home Buyers
Congress just passed the Housing Act, authorizing a tax credit of up to $7,500 for certain first-time home buyers. Our personal finance contributor says consumers need to be careful when signing up.
Send Your Back-To-School Saving Tips
How are you economizing during the back to school shopping season? We want all your creative ideas.
U.S. Cost Of Living On The Rise
The cost of living is growing at a rate unseen since the early nineties, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor. And wages aren't keeping up. William Spriggs, professor of Economics at Howard University, explains why the gap between earning and spending power is increasing by so much, and so fast.
Money Coach: Myth vs. Fact In Cost Cutting Tips
Is public transportation always cheaper? Can pulling the plug on cable television really help save money? Money Coach Alvin Hall combs through some of the most popular money saving myths, and explains which measures are actually effective in trimming costs.
The Econonaut
What does "producer price index" mean? Adam Davidson, NPR's economics reporter explains.
Calif. Home Sales Up Amid Drastic Price Cuts
The number of home sales is finally increasing in Southern California, one of the hardest-hit areas. The bad news is that about half of the homes were sold as part of foreclosure proceedings, and it appears that many homes finally moved because of drastic price reductions.
Grim Anniversary: Credit Crunch Is 1 Year Old
It was a year ago this week that the global credit crunch began. The mortgage business was struggling with steep losses, and the troubles were spreading throughout the credit markets. Since then, the economy has ground almost to a halt. How much has changed in a year and what's been learned?
What Happens To Patrons' Cash When Bank Fails?
Banks are failing as a result of the housing crisis, and a former chief economist with the International Monetary Fund predicted Tuesday that the global financial crisis is far from over. David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, talks about what happens to people with money in a bank that fails.
Inflation A Growing Threat As Producer Prices Jump
An index tracking prices that companies pay for goods jumped up sharply in July, which means inflation is a growing threat. Meanwhile, the housing market continues to slump, with home-builders sharply cutting back on construction projects.
NPR Topics: Economy
NPR news on the U.S. and world economy, the World Bank, and Federal Reserve. Commentary on economic trends. Subscribe to NPR Economy podcasts and RSS feeds.
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the
Department of Commerce, announced today that total June exports of $164.4
billion and imports of $221.2 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit
of $56.8 billion, down from $59.2 billion in May, revised. June exports were
$6.4 billion more than May exports of $158.0 billion. June imports were $3.9
billion more than May imports of $217.2 billion.
Personal Income for Metropolitan Areas, 2007
Personal income growth slowed in 2007 in most of the nation's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. On average, MSA personal income grew 6.2% in 2007, down from 6.8% in 2006. Personal income growth slowed in 208 MSAs, increased in 144, and remained unchanged in 11 MSAs.
Personal Income and Outlays: June 2008
Personal income increased $6.8 billion, or 0.1 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI)
decreased $210.3 billion, or 1.9 percent, in June, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $57.1 billion, or 0.6 percent. In May, personal
income increased $219.3 billion, or 1.8 percent, DPI increased $595.4 billion, or 5.7 percent, and PCE
increased $76.5 billion, or 0.8 percent, based on revised estimates. The pattern of changes in income
reflect the pattern of payments associated with the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.
Gross Domestic Product: Second Quarter 2008 (Advance); Revised Estimates: 2005 Through First Quarter 2008
Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property
located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter of 2008
(that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter), according to advance estimates released by the
Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 0.9 percent.
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department
of Commerce, announced today that total May exports of $157.5 billion and imports of
$217.3 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $59.8 billion, down from $60.5
billion in April, revised. May exports were $1.4 billion more than April exports of
$156.2 billion. May imports were $0.7 billion more than April imports of $216.7 billion.
Personal Income and Outlays: May 2008
Personal income increased $225.7 billion, or 1.9 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI)
increased $600.3 billion, or 5.7 percent, in May, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $77.4 billion, or 0.8 percent. In April, personal
income increased $33.5 billion, or 0.3 percent, DPI increased $39.8 billion, or 0.4 percent, and PCE
increased $41.1 billion, or 0.4 percent, based on revised estimates.
Real disposable income increased 5.3 percent in May, compared with an increase of 0.1 percent in
April. Real PCE increased 0.4 percent, compared with an increase of 0.2 percent.
U.S. Net International Investment Position at Yearend 2007
The U.S. net international investment position at yearend 2007 was
-$2,441.8 billion (preliminary), as the value of foreign investments in the
United States continued to exceed the value of U.S. investments abroad. At yearend 2006, the U.S. net international investment position was
-$2,225.8 billion (revised).
State Quarterly Personal Income, 1st quarter 2007-1st quarter 2008
U.S. personal income grew 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2008, after growing 1.2 percent in the last quarter of 2007, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Across states, personal income growth ranged from 7.6 percent in North Dakota to -1.9 percent in Arkansas.
U.S. Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts: First Quarter 2008
Real spending on tourism (spending adjusted for price changes) decreased at an annual rate of 3.7 percent in 2008:1, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, reflecting steep declines in spending on accommodations and passenger air transportation. In 2007:4, real spending on tourism grew 2.3 percent (revised). By comparison, real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 0.9 percent (preliminary) in 2008:1 and 0.6 percent in 2007:4.
U.S. International Transactions: First Quarter 2008
The U.S. current-account deficit--the combined balances on trade in goods
and services, income, and net unilateral current transfers--increased to
$176.4 billion (preliminary) in the first quarter of 2008 from $167.2 billion
(revised) in the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase was mostly accounted for
by a decrease in the surplus on income. In addition, the deficit on goods and
net unilateral current transfers to foreigners both increased. An increase in
the surplus on services was partly offsetting.
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Annual Revision for 2007
In this release and the accompanying U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: April
2008, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) are jointly
publishing revised data on U.S. trade in goods for 2005-2007 and the first three months
of 2008 and revised data on services for 2004-2007 and the first three months of 2008.
Gross Domestic Product by State, advance 2007 and revised 2004-2006
New estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show that economic growth slowed in most states and regions of the U.S. in 2007. Real GDP growth slowed in 36 states, with declines in construction and finance and insurance restraining growth in many states.1 Nationally, real economic growth slowed from 3.1 percent in 2006 to 2.0 percent in 2007, one percentage point below the average growth of 3.0 percent for 2002–2006.
Foreign Investors' Spending
Outlays by foreign direct investors to acquire or to establish U.S. businesses increased sharply in 2007 after also increasing strongly in 2006. Outlays reached $276.8 billion in 2007, the second largest recorded and the highest since 2000, when new investment outlays peaked at $335.6 billion.
Revised Statistics of Gross Domestic Product by Industry, 2004-2006
Revised statistics on the industry distribution of real gross domestic product (GDP), released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, show that the private services-producing sector continued to lead overall GDP growth in 2006, increasing 4.2 percent, while growth in the private goods-producing sector slowed to 0.8 percent. Overall growth of the U.S. economy decelerated slightly in 2006 to 2.9 percent from 3.1 percent in 2005. These statistics for 2006 incorporate more accurate and more detailed information on the industry composition of GDP growth than was available for preparing the advance GDP-by-industry estimates released on April 24, 2007.
County Estimates of Compensation by Industry, 2004-2006
Today, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released county estimates of compensation by industry for 2004-2006. The estimates for 2004-2005 have been revised to incorporate newly available source data; the estimates for 2006 are released for the first time.
Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2001-2005
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released experimental measures of economic output produced in the Nation's metropolitan areas. GDP by metropolitan area is the measure of the market value of final goods and services produced within a metropolitan area in a particular period of time. GDP is BEA's preferred and most comprehensive measure of economic activity. Metropolitan (statistical) areas, defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, are standardized county-based areas having at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core, as measured by commuting ties.
Benchmark Input-Output Accounts of the U.S. Economy, 2002
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released today the 2002 benchmark input-output (I-O) accounts. These are the latest in a series of accounts that provide the most detailed information available on the structure of the U.S. economy and its industries, and cover over 400 industries.
Personal Income for Metropolitan Areas, 2006
Personal income growth accelerated in 2006 in most of the nation's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The faster growth was spurred by the property income and compensation components of personal income. Compensation growth in most private industries, including durable goods manufacturing and professional services, accelerated, while compensation growth at all levels of government, especially the military, slowed.
Release Dates for 2008
A complete listing of our upcoming news releases can be found on our detailed
schedule for 2008. All news releases shown on our schedule are made available as RSS feeds.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Ranks of Millionaire Households at Record 9.3 Million
The ranks of households with a net worth of at least $1 million grew 5%
to an all-time high of 9.3 million, according
to a report released Monday by TNS. he report covers the year through
mid-2006; the value of primary residences was not included.
Consumer Spending Weakest in 8 Months Despite Solid Income Growth
Consumer spending grew at the weakest pace
in 6 months in March, despite solid income growth and good news on a key
inflation reading in the government's latest measure of the U.S. economy.
The weak spending came even as the report showed individual incomes jumped
0.7% in March.
Overheating Worries: China Economy Sizzles with 11.1% Growth in Q1 07
 China's economy surged 11.1% in the first
quarter, causing the country's Cabinet to declare Thursday it will take
steps to keep the economy from overheating, reports AP. It was the highest
growth rate since Q2 2006's 11.5% growth, the fastest in a decade.
China Trade Surplus Falls Sharply to $6.9 billion in March
 China's
trade surplus in March fell to $6.9 billion, well below forecasts and down
sharply from February's $23.7 billion surplus, reports
AP. It was not clear whether the drop in March was the result of
government efforts or would have a lasting impact.
U.S. Service Sector Expands at a Slower Rate in March: ISM Report
Business activity in the service
sector increased at a slower rate in March 2007, according
to the latest ISM report by the nation's purchasing and supply executives.
The index of business activity in the non-manufacturing sector registered
52.4 in March, down from 54.3 in February. Wall Street was expecting a
reading of 54.7. The index is at its lowest level since April 2003.
Consumer Spending, Personal Incomes Rise; Inflation Rises Fastest in 6 Months
 Personal income increased $65.4 billion, or 0.6% in February while ,
consumer spending also rose by 0.6% or $55.5 billion, according
to the
Bureau of Economic Analysis. Private wage and salary increased $19.3
billion in February, compared with an increase of $64.9 billion in January
because of bonus payments in January.
Q4 GDP Growth Better Revised Upwards to 2.5%
 US
GDP, a measure of total goods and services output within U.S. borders,
grew at a 2.5% annual rate during Q4 2006, higher than the 2.2% reported a
month ago, and up from 2% in the third quarter, according to the Commerce
Department, reports Reuters.
Metrics 2.0- Economic Indicators
Economic Calendar and Leading Indicators
Toward Shared Prosperity
View "Toward Shared Prosperity," a video introduction to EPI's Agenda for Shared Prosperity.
State of Working America sneak preview
On Labor Day, EPI will release its 11th edition in the flagship series The State of Working America. The 2008/2009 edition will cover all of the material you have come to expect from this pre-eminent examination of the U.S. labor market. In the spirit of the Olympic competition currently underway in Beijing, EPI is offering a sneak preview of the book by releasing the chapter comparing the United States' economic performance to that of 19 other industrialized countries. Check out the book's site to download a PDF of the international chapter and peruse links to other content from this series.
Taking advantage of immigrant workers
Do immigrants with H-2B work visas get paid a fair wage in the United States? This week's Snapshot explains the consequences for all workers, immigrant and native.
Social Security: Here today, still here tomorrow
Will Social Security be around when I retire? Yes, and it will be paying even more than now, as explained in EPI's latest Issue Brief.
A Plan to Revive the American Economy
With grim economic news coming from many directions, it's easy to get discouraged about our ability to repair the damage of years of failed economic policies. And yet, there are pragmatic solutions to our biggest challenges, including ways to restore health care and retirement security, to create family-supporting jobs, and to reestablish a leadership role in the global economy. Collaborating with some of the nation's top progressive thinkers, EPI researchers have been exploring and refining solutions for the better part of two years. Now, just in time for national debates on economic direction, EPI has compiled the best of these proposals into a small, easy-to-read Policy Handbook called ''A Plan to Revive the American Economy.''
Economic Policy Institute
The latest releases from EPI
Working Women Inspired Toward "Life Simplication" in 2005: Turn Off The Phone...
Rugged Elegant Living: Baileys reported the results of a recent survey today regarding British working women. Their findings revealed that "information overload" is a major cause of stress in women's lives. In 2005, "Life Simplification" will be the key to...
Internet Sites Allow Gift Card Exchanges
Yahoo! News: The gift card -- often viewed as the little, plastic solution for keeping friends and family out of the return lines -- doesn't always serve as the ideal present. Responding to consumers who don't want to buy themselves...
Iranian Researcher Invents New Technique for Refining Paper Industry Wastewater
MerhrNews.com An Iranian researcher for the first time in the world came up with a new technique for refining the wastewater resulted from paper industries by making use of the minerals, news reports said on December 29th, 2004. By the...
Philadelphia Considers Wireless Access For All
Yahoo! News: City officials believe they can turn all 135 square miles of Philadelphia into the world's largest wireless Internet hot spot. The ambitious plan, now under discussion, would involve placing thousands of small transmitters around the city -- probably...
Spinning A Yarn With Carbon Nanotubes
BBC News: A method to continuously spin a wonder material, which is worth more per kg than gold, has been developed by Cambridge-MIT Institute scientists. Discovered in 1991, carbon nanotubes are just a few billionths of a metre across, but...
Destination Wi-Fi, by Rail, Bus or Boat
The New York Times: In the United States, nearly six million people commute daily by public transportation, according to the Department of Transportation. Few operators offer wireless Internet access in their stations and terminals - much less on board -...
Study Signals Promise for New HIV Therapy
Yahoo! News: Researchers may finally be on track to fight the AIDS virus by blocking a long-elusive target, an HIV enzyme called integrase. An experimental drug that inhibits the enzyme helped to keep the infection in check in monkeys. Far...
Singapore TV Show Encourages Baby-Making
Boston.com: Baby-short Singapore was to get a glimpse of the highs and lows of pregnancy and childbirth Saturday with the premiere of a television series that follows a couple through the entire baby-making process. The show -- dubbed "Here's Looking...
Literary Reading in Dramatic Decline
New York Times: [A] new survey to be released today by the National Endowment for the Arts, which describes a precipitous downward trend in book consumption by Americans and a particular decline in the reading of fiction, poetry and drama....
The Chinese Century
Interesting tidbits from cover story of The New York Times Magazine cover story, The Chinese Century: Because 12 percent of China's exports to the U.S. end up on Wal-Mart's shelves, and because Wal-Mart's trade with China accounts for 1 percent...
Mobile Phones Exceed Fixed Line Phones
Financial Times: The number of people attracted to voice calls continues to grow. Throughout 2004, around 800,000 new subscribers have joined the mobile world every day, driven by strong growth in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil. There...
Real Estate Drive Coastal 'Brain Drain'
Yahoo! News: Soaring property values in California have made many homeowners there rich -- and many real estate agents here delighted. In an exodus that some demographers say could reshape the American landscape, young professional families are increasingly fleeing the...
Cancer Survivorship in The U.S. Triples
RuggedElegantLiving.com: More and more Americans are surviving cancer, a disease that was previously perceived as a death sentence for those diagnosed with it. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease. The four top...
Digital Impact: Television Advertising
Yahoo! News: With TiVo's fast-forward, viewers' shrinking attention spans and new media choices, the 30-second TV ad has more rivals for consumers' attention. That is pushing marketers' thinking increasingly outside the TV box for ways to make the costly but...
Compound In Breast Milk Treats Warts
BBC News: A cream containing an ingredient of human breast milk appears to be an effective treatment for warts. The preparation, nicknamed Hamlet by is Swedish creators, has been shown to dramatically reduce, and often completely banish, stubborn warts. It...
The Change Mariner
A Tool For Forecasting Investment, Business, and Career Opportunities By Identifying Long-Term Secular Change
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