Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

What a Difference a Day Makes: The Post-Obliteration Day Yield Curve

1. What a Difference a Day Makes: The Post-Obliteration Day Yield Curve

An argument that the yield curve's inversion and term spreads indicate significant economic shifts and potential implications for future financial conditions.

Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?

2. Trump takes aim at trade deficits. Are they actually bad?

An argument that President Trump's tariffs aim to address trade deficits, which he believes are detrimental, despite market backlash and political opposition.

Thoughts on the Trump Tariffs

3. Thoughts on the Trump Tariffs

Timothy Taylor discusses the implications of Trump's announced tariffs, their historical context, political responsibility, constitutional authority, and the uncertain economic effects.

How much will tariffs raise prices? Trump's economists just revealed their answer

4. How much will tariffs raise prices? Trump's economists just revealed their answer

Jeff Guo discusses the administration's calculations on tariffs and their impact on prices, addressing a question previously avoided by Trump.

Trump's tariffs are so far-reaching they include several remote, uninhabited islands

5. Trump's tariffs are so far-reaching they include several remote, uninhabited islands

The post discusses the inclusion of uninhabited islands in Trump's recent tariff announcements, highlighting their geographical and political significance.

ICE Mortgage Monitor: Home Prices Continue to Cool

6. ICE Mortgage Monitor: Home Prices Continue to Cool

Bill McBride discusses the cooling trend in home prices, highlighting a decline in annual growth rates and increased inventory in major markets.

Perturbations Of Selected Parameters In The Corn-Tractor Model

7. Perturbations Of Selected Parameters In The Corn-Tractor Model

Robert Vienneau discusses perturbations in parameters of a corn-tractor model, analyzing their effects on production and switch points within the parameter space.

Will Malignant Stupidity Kill the World Economy?

8. Will Malignant Stupidity Kill the World Economy?

An argument that recent tariff policies, driven by irrational decision-making, threaten economic stability and reflect a troubling approach to governance and international relations.

Brutal day for stocks: Dow plunges almost 1,700 points on new Trump tariffs

9. Brutal day for stocks: Dow plunges almost 1,700 points on new Trump tariffs

New tariffs announced by the President are anticipated to increase prices, hinder U.S. growth, and potentially lead other nations into recession.

How a Nobel physicist saw productivity—and why it matters for us now

10. How a Nobel physicist saw productivity—and why it matters for us now

Scott Cunningham analyzes William Shockley's paper on productivity variations in research, connecting it to broader economic implications and personal reflections on productivity.

Trade Deficit decreased to $122.7 Billion in February

11. Trade Deficit decreased to $122.7 Billion in February

The post discusses the decrease in the U.S. trade deficit for February, highlighting changes in exports and imports, as well as the trade deficit with China.

More homes are finally hitting the spring market. Will buyers take the plunge?

12. More homes are finally hitting the spring market. Will buyers take the plunge?

Laurel Wamsley discusses the increase in housing inventory this spring and the potential impact of high prices and economic uncertainty on buyers' decisions.

Tariffs: Another American act of intentional self-harm

13. Tariffs: Another American act of intentional self-harm

Noah Smith discusses the negative economic consequences of Trump's tariffs and critiques the political support behind them, highlighting the irrationality of such policies.

World markets respond to Trump's new tariffs. And, TikTok nears its sell-by date

14. World markets respond to Trump's new tariffs. And, TikTok nears its sell-by date

Brittney Melton discusses Trump's new tariffs and their potential economic impact, along with TikTok's uncertain future.

Markets in Asia and Europe fall following U.S. announcement of global tariffs

15. Markets in Asia and Europe fall following U.S. announcement of global tariffs

Markets in Europe and Asia declined sharply after the U.S. announced significant tariff increases on global imports.

Tariffs are another reason why Americans feel so lousy about the economy

16. Tariffs are another reason why Americans feel so lousy about the economy

Scott Horsley discusses how tariffs are contributing to American consumers' negative feelings about the economy and the potential risk of an economic slowdown.

Tariffs threaten to upend markets American farmers depend on

17. Tariffs threaten to upend markets American farmers depend on

Tariffs imposed by the government are causing dissatisfaction among farmers who rely on stable markets for their livelihoods.

My Conversation with the excellent Sheilagh Ogilvie

18. My Conversation with the excellent Sheilagh Ogilvie

The discussion covers historical pandemics' economic impacts, vaccination practices, local governance during epidemics, and social customs in England and Germany.

Trump tariffs spark ire and dismay from international leaders

19. Trump tariffs spark ire and dismay from international leaders

International leaders express frustration over high tariffs imposed by the U.S. on traditional allies and China, highlighting potential economic and diplomatic tensions.

2 April 2025: An Event Study

20. 2 April 2025: An Event Study

Menzie Chinn discusses updated betting odds indicating a higher likelihood of a recession occurring in 2025.