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Time for a new 401K?

Research

Sep 14, 2010

Tough to start

Our economy relies on entrepreneurs, or people starting new businesses, to propel our economy forward. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explains what we know about these frontier investors. 

Sep 13, 2010

Weak retail sales

The latest national numbers for retail sales weren’t encouraging. After adjusting for typical seasonal effects and inflation, retail sales essentially showed no improvement. Why is this important and what does it say about the economy? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden weighs in. 

Sep 10, 2010

Are interest rates flashing recession?

The big question about the economy is whether another recession is coming. Of course, some argue the first recession, which began in 2007, never ended. Can the level of interest rates help us answer the recession question? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Sep 9, 2010

Who’s hiring?

A recent report on the national job picture showed that jobs in the private sector increased by 71,000 in July. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers the question, Who… 

Sep 8, 2010

Will the U.S. follow Japan?

Some years ago Japan had a real estate boom and then a bust from which, by many measures, they are yet to recover from. Economists refer to it as the lost decade in Japan. Will the same happen in the United States? North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explores this question in today's "Economic Perspective." 

Sep 7, 2010

Regional economic outlook

Getting up-to-date economic information is sometimes problematic because it takes time for statistics to be collected and processed. There is a report that tries to speed up the process by basing an economic snapshot on interviews with business people. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what this report says about our economy here in the Southeast. 

Sep 6, 2010

The value of sports teams

Sports fans look at the teams they follow in the terms of wins and losses, but the teams are also a business -- so looking at teams in the terms of dollars and cents is also important. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden discusses the value of prominent professional sports teams. 

Sep 3, 2010

Could it have been worse?

Two well-respected economists recently issued a report arguing that the recession would have been much worse had it not been for the actions and interventions of the federal government. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains what the report says about how bad it could have been. 

Sep 3, 2010

YOU DECIDE: Does bigger government hurt the economy?

How does the size of government impact the economy? Mike Walden discusses the issue, providing the background you need to decide. 

Sep 2, 2010

Time for a new 401K?

A popular way for workers to save for retirement is through 401K plans, but with the drop in the stock market during the recession many people lost a lot of money in their 401K, which prompting the joke that their 401K was now a 201K. Should there be changes to this retirement program? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden discusses debate surrounding this issue.