Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Is the Safety Margin of US Treasury Bonds Diminishing?

1. Is the Safety Margin of US Treasury Bonds Diminishing?

An argument that the diminishing interest rate gap between US Treasury bonds and corporate AAA-rated bonds raises concerns about the perceived safety of Treasury debt.

Tuesday's Assorted Links

2. Tuesday's Assorted Links

The post discusses various stories related to economic principles, including laws affecting streaming services, AI in government reports, gold prices, and college sports buyouts.

An Intuition Test

3. An Intuition Test

Kevin Corcoran explores how intuitions shape worldviews and public policy perspectives, particularly through the lens of economic regulations like "click-to-cancel."

How Crypto Became a Trump Trade

4. How Crypto Became a Trump Trade

An argument that cryptocurrency's value is increasingly tied to political support, particularly from Trump, and its recent crash reflects political rather than economic factors.

A Nobel for thinking about long-term growth

5. A Nobel for thinking about long-term growth

Noah Smith discusses the Nobel Prize in Economics, focusing on the winners' research about competition, innovation, and their implications for economic growth.

A Nobel Prize for explaining when technology leads to growth

6. A Nobel Prize for explaining when technology leads to growth

The post discusses the significance of the 2025 Nobel Prize in economics awarded for insights into the relationship between technology and economic growth.

Data centers are booming. But there are big energy and environmental risks

7. Data centers are booming. But there are big energy and environmental risks

The post discusses the rapid growth of data centers and the significant energy and environmental challenges they pose.

FX and Gold Reserves in Q2

8. FX and Gold Reserves in Q2

Menzie Chinn discusses the composition of central bank reserves, focusing on the increase in gold holdings driven by rising gold prices in Q2.

A Nobel for Innovation-Driven Economic Growth: Aghion, Howitt, and Mokyr

9. A Nobel for Innovation-Driven Economic Growth: Aghion, Howitt, and Mokyr

Timothy Taylor discusses the Nobel Prize awarded for explaining innovation-driven economic growth, highlighting the contributions of Aghion, Howitt, and Mokyr while noting gaps in their explanations.

2025 Nobel: Growth Through Technology and Culture

10. 2025 Nobel: Growth Through Technology and Culture

Jon Murphy discusses the Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Mokyr, Aghion, and Howitt for their contributions to understanding innovation-driven economic growth and its historical context.

Why Fired Coaches Still Get Paid Millions

11. Why Fired Coaches Still Get Paid Millions

The post examines the financial implications of buyout clauses for fired college football coaches, highlighting the economic rationale behind these lucrative payouts despite job instability.

How Trump Is Making China Great

12. How Trump Is Making China Great

An argument that Trump's trade policies are undermining U.S. economic strength and inadvertently benefiting China by disrupting established international trade norms and scientific research funding.

13. From 2007 and 2008: The Compleat UberNerd

The post reflects on the contributions of a co-blogger to discussions about the mortgage industry, particularly focusing on foreclosure and loan servicing complexities.

Media companies thought late night TV was irrelevant. Kimmel proved them wrong

14. Media companies thought late night TV was irrelevant. Kimmel proved them wrong

An argument that Kimmel's return to late night television demonstrates its ongoing relevance and potential to engage American audiences effectively.

3 share Nobel Prize in Economics for work on technology, growth and creative destruction

15. 3 share Nobel Prize in Economics for work on technology, growth and creative destruction

Scott Horsley discusses the Nobel Prize winners for their research on technological innovation and its impact on economic growth and creative destruction.

3 share Nobel Prize in Economics for work on technology, growth and creative destruction

16. 3 share Nobel Prize in Economics for work on technology, growth and creative destruction

Three economists received the Nobel Prize for their research on the relationship between technological innovation, economic growth, and the concept of creative destruction.

Why a Missed Release Is Sometimes Problematic

17. Why a Missed Release Is Sometimes Problematic

An argument that missed economic data releases can significantly impact understanding during critical economic turning points, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate information.

Flying Blind, Graphically Illustrated

18. Flying Blind, Graphically Illustrated

Menzie Chinn discusses key economic indicators affected by a potential government shutdown and their implications for employment and GDP data.

On Immigration Policies and the Ag Sector

19. On Immigration Policies and the Ag Sector

An argument that immigration policies are creating labor shortages in the agricultural sector, impacting food production and highlighting the reliance on unauthorized workers.

Technology Bubbles: Causes and Consequences

20. Technology Bubbles: Causes and Consequences

Paul Krugman discusses the potential AI bubble, its historical context, and the economic consequences of technology manias.