your daily dose of economic commentary
Builder confidence in the housing market increased in October, yet remains below the threshold indicating positive sales conditions, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.
Alex Tabarrok discusses the Baumol effect, emphasizing its implications on labor-intensive repair services and the shift towards cheaper new goods over time.
An argument that explores the concept of "fair price," distinguishing between price and cost, and questioning the morality associated with pricing in a world of scarcity.
An argument that Donald Trump's detachment from reality is exacerbated by sycophants, impacting his perception of events and decision-making, with potential consequences for millions.
Container traffic data reveals a decline in imports and exports at LA ports, indicating a downward trend in trade activity over the past year.
Robert Vienneau discusses the properties of production models involving fixed capital and extensive rent, comparing them to those with circulating capital.
Greg Rosalsky discusses a new book that identifies issues plaguing major American companies.
An argument that tariff pass-through to consumers is significant, countering claims of minimal price increases, supported by evidence of effective tariff rates and timing of implementation.
The discussion centers on the impact of missed economic data releases due to a potential government shutdown and the resulting uncertainty for businesses and the economy.
Menzie Chinn discusses the challenges facing the U.S. agricultural sector, including high costs, low prices, and the impact of the Trump administration's policies.
An outage at Amazon Web Services causes widespread disruptions to various websites, highlighting the service's critical role in online operations.
The post discusses a slight week-over-week increase in single-family housing inventory, comparing current levels to previous years and highlighting seasonal trends.
The post discusses a recent protest against autocracy, highlighting the contrasting perceptions of participants and Republican rhetoric, while reflecting on the significance of public demonstrations.
An argument that recent protests against autocracy reflect a broader struggle for democracy, highlighting the disconnect between reality and extreme rhetoric from right-wing figures.
Jadrian Wooten discusses Smucker's lawsuit against Trader Joe's for copyright infringement over similar sandwich designs, highlighting competition and market dynamics in the grocery industry.
Noah Smith discusses the rise of extremist views among young Republicans and the implications for the party's future amid increasing authoritarianism and racial hatred.
An argument that various econometric models are evaluated to compare employment data from different sources, highlighting statistical findings and implications for employment trends.
The author reflects on living in the UK, highlighting economic disparities with the US and everyday inconveniences that affect quality of life.
Scott Cunningham announces an important workshop on BLP with Jeff Gortmaker, emphasizing its value for those in industrial organization and related fields.
Paul Krugman discusses the historical concerns regarding technology's impact on jobs, referencing David Ricardo's early views and the ongoing debate about AI's potential effects on employment.