Author: Ken Ellzey

Dec 29, 2014

Profit’s role in the economy

As the economy has improved, business profits have risen. But is this good or bad? North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Dec 22, 2014

Pacific power

The United States sits between Europe and Asia, but traditionally our focus and ties have been in Europe. Now many say our future focus and ties will be in the other direction – to Asia. North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden explains why. 

Dec 15, 2014

Christmas spending forecasts

It’s that time of year again. People are in the midst of their holiday shopping. For many businesses, this is a make-it-or-break-it time. North Carolina State University’s Dr. Mike Walden explains how economists think this holiday buying season will shape up. 

Dec 8, 2014

Oil economics

Oil has been in the news recently, but in a good way: Oil prices have been dropping and taking gasoline and other fuel prices with them. This is dramatically different than even just a few years ago, when oil and gas prices were rising. What has happened to bring oil prices down? And will it continue? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Dec 1, 2014

Competition and insurance premiums

Amid the public discussion of health insurance costs and the Affordable Care Act’s impact on these costs, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers the role of competition in containing costs. 

Nov 24, 2014

Quantitative un-easing

The Federal Reserve took extraordinary steps to try to contain the negative effects of the recession. Does the Federal Reserve have to worry about how to move back from these steps now that the recession is past? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Nov 17, 2014

What will oil producers do?

To drivers’ delight, gas prices have dropped to around $3 a gallon. Many thought this day would never come. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains why the drop happened and whether lower prices will continue. 

Nov 10, 2014

Taxing wireless service

When most people think of taxes, they think of income taxes and sales taxes. But there are also many services we buy that carry taxes as part of the bill. And if we ignore the fine print on the bill, we may not even know we’re paying a tax. NC State University economist Mike Walden discusses a good example – wireless telephone service. 

Nov 3, 2014

Dive in the Dow

Recently the stock market has seen big fluctuations. Of course, investors are happy when the fluctuation is on the up side, but they worry when the various market indices, such as the Dow Jones Average, plunge. NC State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at what’s driving today’s stock market concerns. 

Oct 27, 2014

Evaluating teachers’ impact

Economic Perspective host and retired elementary school teacher Mary Walden says the topic of teachers’ impact is important to her. “We all know teaching and teachers are vitally important to children’s academic success,” she says. “But there’s always been the problem of measuring the impact. What are some of the problems in measuring teacher impact, as well as ways of overcoming these problems?” Her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, answers.