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Worries about bubbles

Economic Perspective

Oct 7, 2010

The Fed’s next move

With the economy still struggling and the federal government deep in debt, many people are looking to the Federal Reserve as perhaps the only institution that can jumpstart the economy. N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden explains what the Fed can do. 

Oct 6, 2010

Real estate and small business

Statistics show that small businesses are suffering more than other firms in today’s economy. Small businesses, in particular, are having a very difficult time acquiring loans. N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden explains why. 

Oct 5, 2010

How long to rebalance?

Perhaps the biggest economic change today is households' financial rebalancing. Households entered the recession with historically high debts, and now they are being forced to pay down on those debts. How long will this take? N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden answers. 

Oct 4, 2010

Beware of second effects

In economics as in life there can be unforeseen circumstances. Often we try to anticipate them but aren’t successful. One of these second effects was recently revealed for a program that has been very successful in assisting low-income households. N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden explains. 

Oct 1, 2010

Where’s the gold?

Interest in gold and gold prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Who has gold? Where is it found? And what is it used for? These are the questions N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers in today's Economic Perspective. 

Oct 1, 2010

YOU DECIDE: Is the recession really over?

How can the recession be over when the unemployment rate is over 9 percent and 15 million people nationwide -- including 430,000 here in North Carolina -- are unemployed? Mike Walden explains. 

Sep 30, 2010

Government and the economy

The role of government in the economy is subject of much debate in the United States. Some say it is only because of the actions of the government that the recession didn’t turn into a depression, and others take the opposite view -- that all the spending and borrowing by the government has actually hurt the economy. In today's Economic Perspective, economist Mike Walden of N.C. Cooperative Extension is asked, Who’s right? 

Sep 29, 2010

Are jobs going begging?

Unemployment is without question the biggest economic issue in the country. Nationwide, over 16 million people who want to work don’t have a job. Is the problem just that we don’t have enough jobs? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers this question in today's Economic Perspective. 

Sep 28, 2010

Split buying

Retailers have had a tough time in the economy overall. We haven’t seen the typical spike in retail sales after a recession. But, as N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden says, there is a part of the retail market that is doing better than the rest. 

Sep 27, 2010

Worries about bubbles

Investors are edgy. Even if they are making money, they’re concerned it won’t last. There are fears that any investment that has had a good run is setting itself up for a big fall. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains which type of investments fears are focused on.