your daily dose of economic commentary
Mortgage applications rose slightly, driven by increased purchase activity, while refinance applications saw a minor decline, reflecting steadier mortgage rates and improved home inventory.
The discussion focuses on the perturbations in production coefficients and markups affecting the recurrence of truncation in two industries: machines and corn.
Adrian Ma discusses misconceptions about gun violence in the U.S. and highlights insights from economist Jens Ludwig on behavioral economics and potential solutions.
The Associated Press reports that average egg prices have decreased for the first time in months but remain high compared to previous levels.
Lydia Calitri discusses how ESPN's new streaming app may offer a cable alternative but could ultimately lead to higher costs for consumers.
Scott Sumner critiques the interpretation of housing market studies, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between demand and supply factors in understanding housing prices.
The post discusses President Trump's overseas trip to the Middle East, focusing on meetings with Gulf leaders and the significance of U.S. deals and personal relationships.
An argument that a small number of firms significantly influence national productivity growth, with the U.S. outperforming the UK and Germany due to a higher proportion of standout firms.
The author discusses various stories that illustrate economic principles, including pricing strategies and housing market trends.
An argument that imperfect competition fosters variety and meets diverse consumer preferences, contrasting with the ideal of perfect competition favored by some politicians.
The post discusses a final assignment on causal inference, focusing on multiple analyst designs and the variability in research results from identical datasets and methods.
A health care conglomerate experiences financial difficulties and consumer dissatisfaction, leading to the unexpected replacement of its CEO.
An argument that price controls on pharmaceuticals may harm low-income countries while providing minimal benefits to U.S. consumers, highlighting the complexities of price discrimination in economics.
Bill McBride discusses the NY Fed's report on household debt, highlighting mixed changes in debt balances and a significant rise in student loan delinquencies.
Paul Krugman discusses the misconceptions surrounding energy production in the U.S. under Trump and Biden, highlighting the impact of policies and market conditions on energy independence.
Consumer prices showed a modest increase in April, but potential tariff impacts could alter economic conditions in the near future.
Bill McBride analyzes year-over-year inflation measures for services, goods, and shelter, highlighting trends and changes in various categories through April 2025.
Importers are optimistic about resuming trade following U.S. tariff reductions on China, while Diddy's trial begins with various allegations.
Nia Dumas discusses how Jay Foreman of Basic Fun! expresses concerns about the impact of Trump's tariff policies on businesses during the holiday season.
Obed Manuel discusses how a temporary U.S.-China tariff deal fails to alleviate uncertainty and may lead to higher prices for businesses importing Chinese goods.