Is the budget deficit an important problem?
According to some commentators the US federal budget deficit still remains a major economic problem notwithstanding that it draws less attention than in the…
Is the glut of saving behind downtrend in natural interest rate?
In his speech at the New York Federal Reserve of New York on October 5 2016 the Federal Reserve vice Chairman Stanley Fischer has…
Fed’s official expressed concern of a possible low natural rate
It is widely accepted that by means of suitable monetary policies the US central bank can navigate the economy towards a growth path of…
Could the elimination of cash prevent an economic crisis?
Given the still subdued economic growth many experts are of the view that the presence of cash has constrained central banks from setting negative…
Making data talk
In order to make the data “talk,” economists utilize a range of statistical methods that vary from highly complex models to a simple display…
Can surveys tell us where the economy is heading?
To gain an insight into future economic conditions, many economists follow a variety of consumer and business surveys. The rationale for conducting surveys…
Does UK need looser fiscal stance to cushion Brexit?
“We are all Keynesians now, so let’s get fiscal” – this is one view according to Ambrose Evans-Pritchard[1] from The Telegraph who believes the…
Should we be concerned with the fall of money velocity?
A fall in the US velocity of money M2 to 1.44 in June from 1.51 in June last year and 2.2 in May 1997…
Is consumer psychology the driving force of economy?
Most experts regard consumer’s psychological disposition as the driving force of an economy. If consumers are optimistic and happy with the economy, no recession…
Why deflation is always good for the economy
For most experts, deflation, which they define as a general decline in prices of goods and services, is bad news since it generates expectations…