The American economy: keeping track of US economic developments.

It looks like the dollar will keep sliding.
What will this mean for ireland?
I presume that the price for oil and commodities won`t change much in euros, as the price of these in dollars will rise even as the dollar falls.
What about the american companies in ireland_will these be effected?
IF imports into the u.s. are more expensive,i presume the americans will just buy less. The world`s exporters will then have to redirect their goodies to countrries with strong currencies or at least plenty of money.
If countries like china and india want to produce cheap goods for our benefit,then no one can stop them.
 
Seems to be no end to the bad news for American property. Alot of people are asking "has it hit the bottom yet?" and are looking to jump back in for the classic dea cat bounce scenerio. This property bust will play out like a bad melodrama over several years BUT, one thing is 100% certain. When the bottom does arrive there is no need for ANYONE to rush in. You’ll know when the bottom is in. Take your time if you are looking to buy ’cause property prices ain’t gonna go nowhere for a long, long time.

Owch, those Hawaii vacation homes just fell 18%


Beautiful San Diego, now 6.9% cheaper
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20061213-1141-bn13housing.html

Foreclosures, foreclosures, foreclosures..somebody hep me!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2006-12-13-mortgagedelinquencies_x.htm

Something new, a "buy vs. rent" debate..never thought I would see the day.
[broken link removed]

Big builders are "taking big bath"
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061215/all_business.html?.v=1
 
It seems that the US consumer is starting to feel the effects of the bursting housing bubble.



Now, however, it's quite clear that the consumer is being affected -- whether one looks at the sales data from Wal-Mart and other retailers, or at the Liscio Report's data on state sales-tax receipts. To quote from Liscio's latest survey: "The weakening consumption trend is now established, and the majority of our tax contacts expressed real concern about a slowing in sales-tax collections. It now appears clear that consumers are not spending the billions of dollars they have saved on gas in recent months."
Click to expand...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/NoMoreBubbles.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
 
President Bush in his address to the American people has asked them to steel themselves for the continuing war on terror which he seems to believe will continue for a generation or more. But much more interesting than the call to arms is his request that Americans 'go shopping more'. Given that the American people have a negative savings rate and are heavily indebted this is possibly a call beyond the call of duty. PS what would Americans go and buy anyway? Chinese, Japanese etc. made consumer goods, how does this help the American economy :confused:
 
http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0322/usa.html

Measure of US economic activity falls

Thursday, 22 March 2007 15:06
A key measure of future US economic activity turned sharply lower in February, reflecting turmoil in the housing and manufacturing sectors, a leading business research group said.
The Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators fell 0.5% following a revised 0.3% decline in January.
However, Conference Board economist Ken Goldstein said the overall economic outlook remains positive despite the weak figure.
The index is meant to gauge economic activity in the coming six to nine months.

'The housing and manufacturing sectors are clearly going through a correction, but the consumer sector appears to be holding up,' he said.
The index was below the average Wall Street forecast of a 0.3% decline and the latest in a string of weaker-than-expected economic reports.
Click to expand...

It's starting to look like the US consumer is the only thing propping up the US economy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top