Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Design Your Own Rug!

1801. Design Your Own Rug!

A personal account of designing a custom rug that combines traditional Afghan art with scientific motifs, emphasizing quality, affordability, and supporting local weavers.

Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.0% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 9.3% below 2022 peak

1802. Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.0% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 9.3% below 2022 peak

The post analyzes inflation-adjusted house prices and the price-to-rent index, noting their current status relative to 2022 peaks and historical trends.

Fossil Fool

1803. Fossil Fool

Paul Krugman critiques the European Union's ineffective response to Trump's trade policies, highlighting empty promises regarding investments and energy imports.

The only thing worse than sweatshops is no sweatshops

1804. The only thing worse than sweatshops is no sweatshops

An argument that sweatshops, despite their poor conditions, provide significant economic benefits and opportunities for workers in developing countries, outweighing the negatives associated with them.

The U.S. economy rebounds to 3% growth in second quarter — but tariffs skew picture

1805. The U.S. economy rebounds to 3% growth in second quarter — but tariffs skew picture

Scott Horsley discusses the U.S. economy's 3% growth in the second quarter and how tariffs affect the economic outlook.

MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest Weekly Survey

1806. MBA: Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications fell significantly, with both purchase and refinance activity declining due to economic uncertainty affecting homebuyer decisions.

Trump keeps pressuring the Fed to cut rates. Here's why its independence matters

1807. Trump keeps pressuring the Fed to cut rates. Here's why its independence matters

The post discusses Trump's pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and the significance of the Fed's independence in this context.

The Fed holds interest rates steady despite intense pressure from Trump

1808. The Fed holds interest rates steady despite intense pressure from Trump

Scott Horsley discusses the Federal Reserve's likely decision to maintain interest rates amid pressure from President Trump to lower them.

My 1988 Southeast Asia trip

1809. My 1988 Southeast Asia trip

The author reflects on a seven-week solo trip through Southeast Asia in 1988, sharing experiences, observations, and lessons learned about culture, tourism, and personal growth.

Summer School 4: Who are all these regulations protecting?

1810. Summer School 4: Who are all these regulations protecting?

An argument that government regulations may protect the interests of the wealthy rather than the general public, questioning the necessity of certain licensing requirements.

Forecasts: CEA >> IMF > WSJ

1811. Forecasts: CEA >> IMF > WSJ

Menzie Chinn analyzes global economic forecasts from various institutions, highlighting growth projections, inflation expectations, and associated risks for 2025 and 2026.

Global Trade Imbalances: An IMF Perspective

1812. Global Trade Imbalances: An IMF Perspective

Timothy Taylor discusses the factors behind global trade imbalances in 2024, highlighting the roles of investment levels and government borrowing in the US versus China and the euro area.

Is Epstein the new Russiagate?

1813. Is Epstein the new Russiagate?

Nate Silver discusses the media's obsession with the Epstein case and its potential political implications for Trump, contrasting public interest with political reporting.

Conference Board: Economic Confidence Up (a Little)

1814. Conference Board: Economic Confidence Up (a Little)

Menzie Chinn discusses the slight improvement in the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index and its implications for economic expectations and recession signals.

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk slashes Wegovy sales forecasts, blaming compounding

1815. Drugmaker Novo Nordisk slashes Wegovy sales forecasts, blaming compounding

Sydney Lupkin discusses how compounding pharmacies are impacting sales of Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Wegovy by producing copies of the medication.

Tuesday's Assorted Links

1816. Tuesday's Assorted Links

The author discusses various stories that illustrate economic principles and their applications in everyday life, along with insights on teaching economics.

[Rerun] Rocío Titiunik, Political Scientist and Quantitative Methodologist, Princeton

1817. [Rerun] Rocío Titiunik, Political Scientist and Quantitative Methodologist, Princeton

An interview highlights Rocío Titiunik's contributions to political science, her journey in academia, and her insights on quantitative methods and causal inference.

The EPA proposes gutting its greenhouse gas rules. Here's what it means for cars and pollution

1818. The EPA proposes gutting its greenhouse gas rules. Here's what it means for cars and pollution

The post discusses the EPA's proposal to weaken greenhouse gas regulations, impacting car emissions and pollution standards.

Introducing We Have Never Been Woke

1819. Introducing We Have Never Been Woke

The post explores a book analyzing the concept of "wokeness," its historical context, and the contradictions exhibited by elite students in response to political events.

With 'WTF' ending, podcaster Marc Maron still wants to talk, but outside the studio

1820. With 'WTF' ending, podcaster Marc Maron still wants to talk, but outside the studio

The post reflects on Marc Maron's feelings about ending his podcast and the meaningful conversations it provided.