Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

No October Employment Situation and CPI Releases (Ever?)

1. No October Employment Situation and CPI Releases (Ever?)

Menzie Chinn discusses the implications of the government shutdown on the October employment and CPI reports, highlighting concerns for policymakers and the Federal Reserve.

3 questions about Trump's 50-year mortgage plan

2. 3 questions about Trump's 50-year mortgage plan

Bill Chappell discusses skepticism from mortgage experts regarding Trump's proposed 50-year mortgage plan, highlighting potential long-term costs for buyers.

3. Noncompete Agreements Across High-Income Countries

Timothy Taylor discusses the implications and controversies surrounding noncompete agreements in employment contracts across various high-income countries.

UCSD Faculty Sound Alarm on Declining Student Skills

4. UCSD Faculty Sound Alarm on Declining Student Skills

A report highlights a significant decline in incoming students' math and reading skills, attributing it to various factors, including pandemic effects and admissions policies.

War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Grocery Prices Are Way Down.

5. War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Grocery Prices Are Way Down.

Paul Krugman discusses the contrasting economic narratives of Trump and Biden, highlighting the reality of inflation and wage growth amidst political rhetoric.

Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-November 2025

6. Part 1: Current State of the Housing Market; Overview for mid-November 2025

Bill McBride discusses the current housing market's state, highlighting inventory increases, sales declines, and price pressures amid data limitations from a government shutdown.

7. Catalog of Capital-Theoretic "Paradoxes"

Robert Vienneau discusses various capital-theoretic paradoxes that challenge traditional marginalist economic theory.

MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey

8. MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey

Bill McBride discusses the recent increase in mortgage applications and related trends based on the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey data.

Google launches a lawsuit targeting text message scammers

9. Google launches a lawsuit targeting text message scammers

A lawsuit is initiated against text message scammers by a major tech company to combat fraudulent communications targeting consumers.

EJ Antoni on “Improving” Economic Statistics

10. EJ Antoni on “Improving” Economic Statistics

An argument that economic statistics require modernization, criticizing current government data methods while highlighting the potential of private sector solutions to address these shortcomings.

Mamdani's biggest challenges

11. Mamdani's biggest challenges

Noah Smith discusses Zohran Mamdani's election and critiques his leftist policies, arguing they may distract from addressing New York City's pressing economic issues.

ELWAY NFL team projections: Week 11

12. ELWAY NFL team projections: Week 11

An argument that presents a new NFL model for team ratings, detailing projections, quarterback assessments, and the impact of injuries on team performance.

Torsten Slok’s (Slightly Late) Halloween Entry

13. Torsten Slok’s (Slightly Late) Halloween Entry

An argument that emphasizes the importance of earnings surprises and presents graphical data related to market valuations.

Guessing NFP Growth

14. Guessing NFP Growth

Menzie Chinn discusses employment data forecasts, using ADP data and estimates for nonfarm payroll growth amidst uncertainties from a government shutdown.

Bros really are dominating podcasting

15. Bros really are dominating podcasting

Research indicates a significant male and white dominance among podcast hosts and guests, highlighting issues of representation in the medium.

The International Flow of Doctors and Nurses

16. The International Flow of Doctors and Nurses

An argument that highlights the increasing international migration of health professionals to high-income countries, emphasizing trends, statistics, and implications for healthcare systems.

Tuesday's Assorted Links

17. Tuesday's Assorted Links

Jadrian Wooten discusses various stories related to economic principles and teaching, including job market fears, price-fixing investigations, and consumer sentiment.

18. The Next Financial Crisis

The post discusses the potential for a future financial crisis driven by poorly regulated areas of finance, particularly focusing on cryptocurrency and its integration into the financial system.

European Stagnation

19. European Stagnation

The continent faces a choice between economic decline akin to Argentina or revitalization through innovation and industrial growth, emphasizing the need for focused economic prosperity.

Applaud All Market-Made Millions

20. Applaud All Market-Made Millions

Christopher Freiman discusses the differing perceptions of wealth between athletes and CEOs, arguing that both deserve their market-made earnings based on the value they create.