Profiting From A Consumerless Recovery
Recovering from an economic slump isn't the easiest thing to do, but here are a few potential methods of rebuilding.
From Booms To Bailouts: The Banking Crisis Of The 1980s
The economic environment of the late 1970s and early 1980s created the perfect storm for a banking crisis.
Do Cheap Imported Goods Cost Americans Jobs?
Flooding the market with cheap products can mean job losses and even market collapse - but dumping isn't as threatening as it seems.
Why Wages Stick When The Economy Shifts
Even economists can't agree on the impact (or even existence) of wage stickiness. So, how does it affect you?
Is Biased Investing Holding You Back?
Risk aversion seems to come to us naturally, preventing us from stepping into unfamiliar territory. But feeling comfortable isn't always the best thing for your portfolio.
When Wholesale Funding Goes Bad
The wholesale funding process is extremely dependent on the credit markets. Therefore, it is not always the best option for a business.
Save The Earth: Become A Capitalist
Who says that capitalism and environmentalism have to be mutually exclusive?
Why The Consumer Price Index Is Controversial
Find out why economists are torn about how to calculate inflation.
Breaking Down The U.S. Budget Deficit
Find out why this particular piece of national financing gets so much attention from the media and investors.
Why Successful Business Owners Sell Out
Learn the motives that drive companies into the arms of an acquirer.
State-Run Economies: From Public To Private
Find out how former Iron Curtain countries used private enterprise to join the world financial markets.
Why Can't Economists Agree?
There are many reasons why economists can be given the same data and come up with entirely different conclusions.
History Of Capitalism
Find out how the economic system we now use was created.
The History Of Economic Thought
Discover the theories that shaped the way we've come to understand economics.
Financial Capitalism Opens Doors To Personal Fortune
The Industrial Revolution introduced a new age of investing and financial self sufficiency.
Understanding The Consumer Confidence Index
We look at this closely watched economic indicator to see what it means and how it's calculated.
Too Good To Be True: The Fall Of IndyMac
Everything seemed to be going right for the bank giant, but it fell just as quickly as it had once risen.
Current Account Deficits: Government Investment Or Irresponsibility?
Deficit can be a sign of trouble for some countries, and of health for others. Find out what it means when more funds are exiting than entering a nation.
The Consumer Price Index: A Friend To Investors
As a measure of inflation, this index can help you make key financial decisions.
Is The U.S. Government Too Big To Fail?
Some think that the U.S. government is too big to fail, but one must only look at historical examples to know that it's not true.
What Are Economies Of Scale?
Is bigger always better? Read up on the important and often misunderstood concept of economies of scale.
In Praise Of Trade Deficits
When a country imports more than it exports, is it a recipe for disaster or just part of a larger cycle?
5 Lessons From The Recession
The bear market of 2008 was a game-changer for many investors. Find out what lessons you can take away from it.
Understanding The Current Account In The Balance Of Payments
Learn how a country's current account balance reflects the country's economic health.
Forces Behind Interest Rates
Get a deeper understanding of the importance of interest rates and what makes them change.
What Is An Emerging Market Economy?
Emerging markets provide new investment opportunities, but there are risks - both to residents and foreign investors.
How Education And Training Affect The Economy
Education and training benefit not only the worker, but also the employer and the country as a whole.
The Austrian School Of Economics
If you think economists are only concerned with numbers, check out this group, who are more like economic philosophers.
Should You Buy Banks' "Toxic" Assets?
The Public-Private Investment Progam is part of the government's effort to fix the failing financial sector. But is it a good investment?
Financial Physics: "Natural" Market Laws
Physics uses math to define the laws of the universe; here, we look at what laws explain the financial universe.
Top 6 Factors That Drive Investment In China
FDI accounted for 30% of industrial output, 55% of trade and 11% of urban jobs in China in 2009.
What You Need To Know About The Employment Report
This widely watched indicator of economic well-being also directly influences the market.
Top 6 U.S. Government Financial Bailouts
U.S. bailouts date all the way back to 1792. Learn how the biggest ones affected the economy.
The Great Inflation Of The 1970s
Political moves meant prevent unemployment served to do the opposite, creating one of the worst fiscal disasters of the century.
Microfinance: Philanthropy Through Industry
Is microfinance a way to help the poor, or will it just make them poorer?
The Upside Of Deflation
Deflation has continued to pop up throughout economic history - but is that such a bad thing?
What Does It Mean To Be Green?
Green investing is the new buzz word for companies and investors. Find out what it means.
How U.S. Firms Benefit When The Dollar Falls
When the greenback is weak, smart investors will invest in multinational companies to benefit.
Unions: Do They Help Or Hurt Workers?
Learn the pros and cons of these organizations and how they fit into today's economy.
Can The IMF Solve Global Economic Problems?
The IMF is an important tool to help struggling countries, but it's not without its problems.
Can Keynesian Economics Reduce Boom-Bust Cycles?
Learn about a British economist's proposed solution to a common economic problem.
Free Markets: What's The Cost?
Some argue that when the free market fails to protect consumers, government regulation is required.
Parties For Taxes: Republicans Vs. Democrats
Read about the political parties' differences in tax ideology, and how it can affect your paycheck.
Stagflation, 1970s Style
Find out how Milton Friedman's monetarist theory helped bring the U.S. out of the economic doldrums.
How Interest Rate Cuts Affect Consumers
Traders rejoice when the Fed drops the rate, but is it good news for all? Find out here.
The Bright Side Of The Credit Crisis
Find out how this tough economic period can be a learning experience for all.
How Interest Rates Affect The Stock Market
Whether you're buying lunch, a home or a stock, you're influenced by interest rates.
Spotting A Market Bottom
Recognizing a market bottom can lead to huge opportunities for an investor. We go over how you can spot the bottom so that you can reap the rewards.
How Interest Rates Affect The U.S. Markets
Interest rates can have both positive and negative effects on U.S. stocks, bonds and inflation.
The Dark Side Of The WTO
The World Trade Organization has its share of detractors. Find out why this international entity has such harsh critics.
Don't Be Misled By Gross National Product
Learn what the GNP truly represents, and how its misuse can manipulate the facts.
Listen To The Market, Not Its Pundits
Tuning in to pundits is fine, but investors should rely on their own research when making important decisions.
Chrysler And The 1979 Bailout
This American icon almost went under, but the U.S. government refused to let it fail.
Deflationary Shocks: Helping Or Hurting The Economy?
Find out how deflationary shocks can both benefit and hurt consumers and businesses.
Adam Smith And "The Wealth Of Nations"
Adam Smith's 1776 classic may have had the largest global impact on economic thought.
How Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Were Saved
These mortgage giants had to be put under government conservatorship, driving home the gravity of the subprime crisis.
Riding The Market Bubble: Don't Try This At Home
Riding the bubble takes timing, a clear understanding of the market and, most of all, a lot of luck.
The Fall Of The Market In The Fall Of 2008
How did America's strong economy tumble so quickly? Find out here.
Forging Frontier Markets
Pioneering is never easy, but it has its exciting - and worthwhile - moments for investors.
Case Study: The Collapse of Lehman Brothers
This company survived many financial crises in its long history. Find out what finally drove it to bankruptcy.
The Economics Of Labor Mobility
Loosening labor restrictions has both good and bad effects for a country and its workers.
Falling Giant: A Case Study Of AIG
Find out why the U.S. government approved an enormous bailout package for American Investment Group (AIG).
Iceland's Near Collapse: What Can We Learn?
This thriving country was brought to its knees by the rapid growth - and subsequent decline - of its banking industry.
Sovereign Wealth Funds - Friend Or Foe?
SWFs increase long-term demand for financial assets and give U.S. companies better access to capital.
What Fuels The National Debt?
Learn the functions of the U.S. Treasury, and find out how and why it issues debt.
An Introduction To LIBOR
This influential rate is published daily in Britain, and felt all around the world.
Meet OPEC, Manager Of Oil Wealth
This organization's decisions can influence oil prices, but there is a limit to its power.
What Is Fiscal Policy?
Learn how governments adjust taxes and government spending to moderate the economy.
Talk Is Cheap: Campaign Promises And The Economy
A president's campaign trail promises often come up against economic reality.
Giants Of Finance: John Maynard Keynes
This rock star of economics advocated government intervention at a time of free-market thinking.
Financial Regulators: Who They Are And What They Do
Find out how these government agencies govern the financial markets.
Consumer Confidence: A Killer Statistic
It's the key to any market economy, so investors need to learn the measures and how to analyze them.
Recession And Depression: They Aren't So Bad
Financial downturns are part of the economic cycle and may have important long-term benefits.
The 2007-08 Financial Crisis In Review
If you don't know how the recession began, read on to learn more.
Immunization Inoculates Against Interest Rate Risk
Big-money investors can hedge against bond portfolio losses caused by rate fluctuations.
The History Of The FDIC
Find out why this corporation was developed and how it protects depositors from bank failure.
A Review Of Past Recessions
Here we look at the biggest economic declines in the U.S. since the Great Depression.
Liquidity And Toxicity: Will TARP Fix The Financial System?
TARP is the government's attempt to forestall a deep, extended recession. Will it work?
Who Backs Up The FDIC?
The FDIC insures depositors against loss, but what happens if it runs out of money?
Examining Credit Crunches Around The World
Market tops and bottoms have proliferated the financial markets throughout history. Learn how countries dealt with these tough economic periods.
Top 5 Signs Of A Credit Crisis
These indicators can illuminate the depth and severity of problems in the credit markets.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac And The Credit Crisis Of 2008
Is the U.S. Congress' failure to rein in these mortgage giants to blame for the financial fallout?
Henry Ford: Industry Mogul And Industrial Innovator
This man made his dream of bringing the automobile to the masses a reality.
How Does Crude Oil Affect Gas Prices?
Find out how this commodity's fluctuating price affects more than just how much you pay at the pump.
Don't Quake Over Credit Shocks
These shocks cycle through history. Find out what you need to know to avoid the alarm bells.
A Guide To Consumer Staples
These companies may not be flashy but they offer investors structure and diversification.
The Kingpin Of Wall Street: J.P. Morgan
From robber baron to the hero of the Panic of 1907, this man helped shape Wall Street as we know it.
The Treasury And The Federal Reserve
Find out how these two agencies create policies to stimulate the economy in tough economic times.
The Impact Of Recession On Businesses
Find out how this economic cycle affects both small and big business.
What Causes A Currency Crisis?
Find out what can cause a currency to collapse and what central banks can do to help.
Adam Smith: The Father Of Economics
This free thinker promoted free trade at a time when governments controlled most commercial interests.
A Guide To Investing In Oil Markets
Find out how to take advantage of this market without having to open a futures account.
Using Coincident And Lagging Indicators
Investors can learn a lot, or very little, from these indicators once they know how to use them.
Translating "Fed Speak" Into Plain English
Confused by the Fed's lingo? Find out what it can tell you and learn how to decipher it.
The Basics Of Tariffs And Trade Barriers
Everything you need to know - from the different types of tariffs to their effects on the local economy.
What Determines Gas Prices?
Gas prices are influenced by more than supply and demand. Find out what determines the price you pay at the pump.
Protest Divestment And The End Of Apartheid
Can selling stock really change the world? If you sell enough of it, it can.
NAFTA's Winners And Losers
Read on to find out who this free-trade agreement helped, and who it hurt.
Understanding Microeconomics
Learn how individual decision-making turns the gears of our economy.
What Caused The Great Depression?
Learn how government actions may have contributed to this major economic downturn.
The Gini Index: Measuring Income Distribution
A country with $100 billion in assets and four residents sounds good - unless three of them have $0.
What Determines Oil Prices?
Changes in the price of oil aren't arbitrary. Read on to find out what moves them and why.
The Crash Of 1929 - Could It Happen Again?
Learn about the series of events that triggered the Great Depression.
The Lost Decade: Lessons From Japan's Real Estate Crisis
Find out what America can learn from Japan's liquidity trap and credit crunch.
Genuine Progress Indicator: An Alternative Measure Of Progress
This indicator gives a more comprehensive look at a nation's quality of life compared to GDP.
Economic Meltdowns: Let Them Burn Or Stamp Them Out?
Whether the Fed should intervene in market bubbles is up for debate. Learn about both sides here.
The Whens And Whys Of Fed Intervention
The Federal Reserve doesn't interfere with the economy every time it flounders. Find out more here.
Monetarism: Printing Money To Curb Inflation
Learn how Milton Friedman's monetarist views shaped economic policy after World War II.
Inside National Payment Systems
The global interconnection of U.S. payment systems makes commerical and financial transfers possible.
Overseas Investing No Panacea Against Downturn
The U.S. economy affects many other countries. Find out what this can mean for overseas investments.
Manipulating Money Supply And The Market
The economy can be volatile when left to its own devices. Find out how the Fed smooths things out.
Examining The Phillips Curve
This model depicts an inverse relationship between unemployment and wage inflation, but is it accurate?
Why You Can't Influence Gas Prices
Don't believe the water-cooler talk. Big oil companies aren't to blame for high prices.
Examining Stagflation
Many factors contribute to a slowing economy. Find out what they are and whether they'll affect you.
Commodities That Move The Markets
Find out how the everyday items you use can affect your investments.
Peak Oil: Problems And Possibilities
Learn a little more about the "non" part of this nonrenewable resource.
How Do Banks Determine Risk?
Find out how economic capital and regulatory capital affects risk management.
Monopolies: Corporate Triumph And Treachery
These monoliths helped develop the economy and infrastructure at the expense of competition.
Bond Yield Curve Holds Predictive Powers
This measure can shed light on future economic activity, inflation levels and interest rates.
How The Federal Reserve Was Formed
Find out how this institution has stabilized the U.S. economy during economic downturn.
The Federal Reserve's Fight Against Recession
Find out what tools the Fed has at its disposal to fight the good fight.
Recession-Proof Your Portfolio
Find out what to do when the sun sets on a burgeoning market.
Ben Bernanke: Background And Philosophy
Get some insight into the man at the forefront of key U.S economic decisions.
Laffer Curve Key To Ideal Tax Rate
Feel like the government always has its hand in your pocket? Learn the theory behind how it decides how much to take.
Early Monopolies: Conquest And Corruption
This structure can be very effective, but it is also known for its abuse of power.
Carbon Trading: Action Or Distraction?
These credits claim to allow buyers to reduce their carbon footprints. Find out how.
Peak Oil: What To Do When The Wells Run Dry
Find out how to invest and protect your investments in this slippery sector.
Cold Hard Cash Wars
Find out how conflicts have changed the role money plays in our lives.
From Barter To Banknotes
Money has been a part of human history for at least 3,000 years. Learn how it evolved.
Unofficial Dollarization
Discover how and why the U.S. dollar emerged as official currency in many foreign countries.
The Globalization Debate
Learn what both the supporters and critics have to say about this growing global trend.
Exploring The Minimum Wage
Discover how to rate your pay in terms of a 'living' wage.
How Influential Economists Changed Our History
Find out how these five groundbreaking thinkers laid our financial foundations.
Taking Global Macro Trends To The Bank
Learn to identify the things that may impact your investments down the road.
The Importance Of Inflation And GDP
Learn the underlying theories behind these concepts and what they can mean for your portfolio.
A Farewell To Alan Greenspan
Follow the economic glories and bumbles in the career of the previous Fed chair.
What Is Wrong With Gold?
Despite its historic and symbolic appeal, this metal is simply a commodity. Here we explore its meaning as an investment.
The Gold Standard Revisited
Think the value of gold is unshakable? Read this chronicle of its rise and fall.
Cost-Push Inflation Versus Demand-Pull Inflation
Gain a deeper understanding of aggregate supply and demand, forces which raise the price of goods and services.
Understanding Supply-Side Economics
Does the amount of goods and services produced set the pace for economic growth? Here are the arguments.
What Is the Quantity Theory of Money?
Take a look at the tenets, assumptions and challenges of monetarism's principle theory.
Dollarization Explained
Find out how fledgling economies can find some stability in their currency and attract foreign investment.
How International Tax Rates Impact Your Investments
International investors need to be aware of the staggering correlation between tax rates and economic performance.
Formulating Monetary Policy
Learn about the tools the Fed uses to influence interest rates and general economic conditions.
Antitrust Defined
Check out the history and reasons behind antitrust laws, as well as the arguments over them.
Trying To Predict Interest Rates 
Understand the various factors that influence them so you can learn to anticipate their movements for profit.
What Is The Bank For International Settlements?
Get the scoop on the structure and functions of the oldest global financial institution.
What Is International Trade?
Everyone's talking about globalization, but what is it and why do some oppose it?
What Was The Glass-Steagall Act?
Established in 1933 and repealed in 1999, the Glass-Steagall Act had good intentions but mixed results.
Understanding Capital And Financial Accounts In The Balance Of Payments
Learn how these accounts are intertwined and what they tell us.
What Is The Balance Of Payments?
Countries track money coming in and going out through something called the balance of payments. Learn more here.
What Is A Currency Board?
Currency board, central bank - what's the difference? Find out more about this little-known monetary authority.
What Are Central Banks?
They print money, they control inflation, and much, much more. All you need to know about central banks is here.
What Is The World Bank?
You've heard of the World Bank, now find out how it functions and why some groups oppose it.
What Is The World Trade Organization?
The WTO sets the global rules of trade. But what exactly does it do and why do so many oppose it?
What Is The International Monetary Fund?
Chances are you've heard of the IMF. But what does it do, and why is it so controversial?
Macroeconomic Analysis
From unemployment and inflation to government policy, learn what macroeconomics measures and how it affects everyone.
Recession: What Does It Mean To Investors?
Understanding the business cycle and your own investment style can help you cope with an economic decline.
