|
View All Newsletters
|
Browse By Subject
|
Add Me to the Mailing List
|
Newsletter RSS
The Liber8 Economic Information Newsletter is published 9 times per year, January through May and August through November. The newsletter is a selection of useful economic information, articles,
data, and websites compiled by the librarians of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Research Library.
Executive Compensation and Market Risks — February 2010
Some U.S. taxpayers were angry and felt betrayed when financial company executives received large bonuses in the midst of the 2008-09 financial crisis. These executives headed some of the same firms whose risky practices contributed to the crisis—and then later received billions of dollars in government bailouts. Who makes the changes in executive compensation policies and regulations to avoid such risks in the future? Read "Executive Compensation and Market Risk" in the February 2010 Liber8 Economic Information newsletter for answers and interesting insights.
A New Trend for U.S. Household Spending — January 2010
Holiday sales are expected to be weak again this year even though the economy and financial markets are improving. Shoppers are especially reluctant to use credit cards for holiday purchases. According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Consumer Intentions and Action Survey, only 28.3 percent of holiday shoppers will use credit cards; this is 10.6 percent lower than one year ago. Why are shoppers so hesitant to use their credit cards this year? Many factors are involved. Read the January 2010 issue of the Liber8 Economic Information Newsletter, “A New Trend for U.S. Household Spending,” for the answers.
How Would Modern Macroeconomic Schools of Thought Respond to the Recent Economic Crisis? — November 2009
What would some of the most famous economists, such as John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, and Adam Smith, and their followers say about the current financial and economic crisis? The November Liber8 newsletter essay by Michelle Armesto—"How Would Modern Macroeconomic Schools of Thought Respond to the Recent Economic Crisis?"—outlines their probable responses.
Early Childhood Education — October 2009
Which public investment offers greater returns—a subsidy for a sports stadium or early childhood education? It might surprise some, but the answer is an investment in early childhood education. A research study from the Federal Reserve found a 16 percent return on such an investment, with 80 percent of the return going to the general public. The October 2009 Liber8 economic information newsletter explains the lifelong benefits of early childhood education.
Retraining Displaced U.S. Workers — September 2009
When the current U.S. recession ends and recovery begins, many pre-recession jobs, such as some in financial services and the automobile industry, will not return. So what are the options if jobs in your chosen industry no longer exist? The September 2009 issue of the Liber8 Economic Information Newsletter—"Retraining Displaced U.S. Workers"—focuses on job retraining programs and lists some areas of projected job growth for the near future.
Education and Earnings — August 2009
The U.S. unemployment rate currently exceeds 9 percent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), achieving a higher level of education is one way to guard against unemployment and increase earnings: A 2008 report found that workers with a bachelor’s degree earned 65 percent more than workers with
only a high school diploma and nearly 130 percent more than workers without a high school diploma. The August 2009 edition of the Liber8 Economic Education Newsletter looks at the strong link between education and earnings.
A Crack in the Nest Egg: Are Americans Doing Enough to Save for Retirement? — May 2009
Before the current recession, soaring stock prices and housing values made many Americans feel well off, and thus many were lax in saving for retirement. The current financial market downturn has erased much of the previous gains, leaving many workers unprepared for retirement. May's Liber8 economic information newsletter—"A Crack in the Nest Egg: Are Americans Doing Enough to Save for Retirement?"—will help you gauge how prepared you are for the golden years.
What Does Foreclosure Entail? — April 2009
Mortgage foreclosure filings in January 2009—more than 274,000—were 18 percent higher than in January 2008. The FDIC estimates that an additional 4 to 5 million mortgages could enter foreclosure over the next two years. How did this happen, and what can be done to improve the situation? The April 2009 Liber8 newsletter, "What Does Foreclosure Entail?", offers some insights and further resources on the foreclosure situation.
What's Under the Tarp? — March 2009
The new economic terms and programs—from TARP to TALF to COP—are important, but trying to keep track of it all can make your head spin. Read the March 2009 Liber8 newsletter "What's Under the TARP?" for a clear, concise explanation of the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program designed to help alleviate the nation’s financial crisis.
What is a Recession? — February 2009
The past year has seen much debate about whether the United States is officially in (or not in) a recession (it is). But just what is a recession? Who decides that fact and how? Or, in other words, what actually makes a recession a recession? Read the February 2009 Liber8 newsletter for all the details.
Season’s Greetings and Seasonal Adjustments — January 2009
Have you every wondered what the term "seasonally adjusted" means in relation to economic data? What does the change of seasons have to do with economics? The January 2009 Liber8 newsletter "Season's Greetings and Seasonal Adjustment" explains the term and shows its effect on economic data.
U.S. Health Care Insurance and the Uninsured — November 2008
With continuing increases in both health care spending and the number of Americans who are uninsured, everyone seems to have an opinion on how to rein in costs and provide better coverage. This month's Liber8 Economic Newsletter offers an overview
of why costs are so high and what can be done to improve the situation.
China's Uncommon Emergence: Still Under Way — October 2008
China has emerged as a global player both socially and economically. What's behind China's great strides in economic performance? "China's Uncommon Emergence: Still Under Way," this month's Liber8 Economic Newsletter, details some of the reasons for China's growth and provides access to resources for further information.
U.S. Farm Subsidies — September 2008
Why should the average American care about the 2008 Farm Bill and farm subsidies? Farm subsidies can affect the price of food and can influence the amount of taxes we pay. This month's Liber8 newsletter explains why farm subsidies were originally used, spotlights the debate about their continued use, and points out some changes to the 2008 Farm Bill.
School Vouchers: The Right Choice or Wrong Policy for Improving Our Schools? — August 2008
August is back-to-school time, but for many families that means a return to poor-performing schools. The perennial question is how to improve performance. The use of school vouchers is one proposed but highly debated solution. This article examines the history of school vouchers and the major arguments for and against them.
The Economic Cost of War — May 2008
It is difficult to measure the cost of the Iraq war and related expenses; it is at least as difficult to decide exactly what costs to measure. The May 2008 issue compares the two most widely cited estimates: one from the Congressional Budget Office and the other from researchers Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes. This month's newsletter also compares these estimates to U.S. GDP over the same time frame to get a better sense of the war's cost in relation to the entire U.S. economy.
Ethanol: Is Corn the Golden Fuel? — April 2008
With oil prices well over $100 per barrel, policymakers are considering everything from new fuel efficiency standards to biomass in an effort to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption. This month's newsletter explores the costs and benefits of America's golden fuel—ethanol.
Baby Boomer Retirement — March 2008
In late 2007, a retired teacher from Maryland became the first baby boomer to file for government retirement benefits. Standing in line behind her are 78 million more baby boomers who will begin seeking Social Security and Medicare benefits. This month's Liber8 Newsletter shows how the retirement of the baby boomers will affect these government programs and the federal budget.
The Economic Impact of an Influenza Pandemic on the United States — February 2008
They have been known to be deadly, disorderly, and expensive. Influenza pandemics occur 3 to 4 times every century, and many health experts believe another U.S. pandemic is unavoidable. This month’s Liber8 Newsletter examines how a modern-day influenza pandemic would likely affect our economy.
Big-Box Retail and Its Impact on Local Communities — January 2008
What is the local impact of big-box retail? Some states have begun to reconsider whether the benefits of such development are worth the costs to local communities. (See "States Target Big-Box Stores" (http://online.wsj.com/article_email/article_print/SB118308129410052436-lMyQjAxMDE3ODIzODAyODgxWj.html), Wall Street Journal, June 29, 2007, for a discussion of recent state legislation focused on this issue.)
Economic Globalization — November 2007
Globalization has been covered heavily in the news recently, with special focus on the rise of China in the global economy and the sense of more job insecurity in the United States. See "Globalization's Gains Come with a Price" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117994581454912387.html?mod=Letters) in the May 24, 2007, Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. Personal Saving Rate — October 2007
This month's newsletter focuses on the low and declining U.S. personal saving rate. As measured by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the U.S. personal saving rate fell into negative territory during the third quarter of 2005 and has remained close to zero since then. The July 12, 2007, issue of the Wall Street Journal Online includes a sample of this debate, in "Is the Negative Savings Rate a Negative for the Economy?" (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118398853722660848.html).
Subprime Mortgage Lending — September 2007
This month's newsletter covers the topic of subprime mortgage lending, with data and explanations your patrons may find useful. The subprime market has been a closely covered news topic of late. See "Hot Topic: Behind the U.S. Mortgage Mess," (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118678466632694559.html) Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2007, for recent developments.
A PDF reader can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com. Blind and visually impaired users can obtain tools to access PDF
files at http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/index.html.
| 