Econ70

Ongoing Obamacare

03/27/2017

The inability of Republicans to repeal and replace Obamacare with the AHCA via the relatively easy reconciliation process, bodes poorly for tax reform. This is because the $337 billion in savings over the next decade from gutting Obamacare, was key…

Supreme Seats

03/24/2017

The Friday File: While it’s been 404 days since the death of Antonin Scalia, the longest Supreme Court vacancy isn’t in jeopardy. That record is 841 days and ended when Robert Grier took Henry Baldwin’s seat on 8/10/1846. However, since…

Residential markets robust in pockets of Michigan

03/23/2017

Dr. Eisenberg gives his recommendations for Michigan communities. Read more here.

Quality Quits

03/23/2017

In yet another sign that the labor market has largely recovered, in January 2017 the percentage of the labor force that voluntarily quit their job was 2.2%, or 3.2 million workers. That was the highest rate since September 2005, when,…

Weak Withdrawal

03/22/2017

Despite a prolonged rise in house prices, bringing them back to where they were prior to the Great Recession, mortgage equity withdrawal (MEW) is a pittance compared to a decade ago. Between 2003 and 2007, MEW averaged 7% of disposable…

Bye-bye Brent

03/21/2017

One of the most popularly traded commodities is Brent crude oil, which comes from a North Sea field. Starting in 2002, declining Brent production necessitated Brent transactions also including Forties from the UK and Oseberg from Norway. In 2007, Norwegian…

The spring home-buying season could use more homes

03/20/2017

Elliot speaks with Aaron Schrank about how consumers and homebuilders are feeling about the economy. Read more here.

Obtuse Ordering

03/20/2017

After examining the amount of physician-related spending on various tests, scans, x-rays and examinations ordered by almost 22,000 general internists and hospitalists – doctors that work exclusively in a hospital, but do no invasive procedures – over almost 500,000 distinct…

Partying Patrick’s

03/17/2017

The Friday File: 56.1% of Americans will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, 82.5% of them will wear green, and the average amount spent to celebrate will be $38/person; $5.3 billion, equal to the GDP of Bermuda. St. Patrick’s Day is the…

Macroeconomic Microcosm

03/16/2017

16Q4 GDP growth was a perfect microcosm of US economic activity of the last several years. GDP growth was a disappointing 1.9%, albeit par for the course of late. More importantly, household consumption, 69% of GDP, grew a solid 2.97%…

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives