Archive for April, 2009

Existing U.S. Home Sales Show a Bottom is a Long Way Off

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

The drop in U.S. existing home sales in March indicates that the housing market is far from a bottom, economists say. Sales dropped more than forecast by 3.0% against a surprise 4.9% surge in February. Dimitry Fleming, an economist at ING, said Thursday's...(read more)

U.S. Jobless Claims Either Stabilizing or Affected by Seasonal Factors, Economists Say

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Despite an expected rise in weekly U.S. initial jobless claims, some economists are encouraged by a continued drop in the four-week average of claims, which they say could suggest the end of the recession. Others say seasonal factors are continuing to...(read more)

U.S. Existing Home Sales Drop Beyond Expectations

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

The U.S. housing market delivered bad news on Thursday, with existing home sales falling well below expectations in March and a downward revision to February's increase. Existing home sales contracted 3.0% in March against expectations for a 1.5%...(read more)

Do you Know Where Your Mortgage is?

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Score one for transparency. Time was that bamboo shoots under the fingernails couldn't get Freddie or Fannie to fess up that they owned this mortgage or that one. As a representative of a government regulatory agency I once fought with a Freddie Mac...(read more)

House Prices Climb Unexpectedly in February

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

House prices unexpectedly rose in February, according to a report from the Federal Housing and Finance Administration on Wednesday. The report showed a 0.7% month-over-month increase in U.S. house prices, following a downwardly revised 1.0% increase in...(read more)

Treasury Secretary Geithner Says World Needs U.S. to Recover

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Wednesday that the U.S. bears the brunt of responsibility for causing the financial crisis, and that the country's economy needs to recover in order for the rest of the global economy to bounce back. Speaking...(read more)

Wednesday’s Events: Tsy’s Geithner, More Earnings

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

The UK's budget, comments from Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner , and a bout of major earnings in the United States on Wednesday top the bill for the day's main economic events. At 7:30 a.m. EDT, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling...(read more)

Geithner Says Most Banks Have Sufficient Capital

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

The majority of U.S. banks have more capital than they need, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said before the TARP's Congressional Oversight Panel on Tuesday. Uncertainties surrounding the banking system have caused banks to withhold loans, the...(read more)

IMF Expects $4.1 Trillion in Credit Losses Worldwide

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Global losses from the credit crisis could exceed $4.1 trillion by the end of 2010, according to a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released on Tuesday morning. The IMF raised its projection for $1.4 trillion in credit losses from U.S...(read more)

The Day Ahead: BOC Rate Decision, Geithner Speaks

Monday, April 20th, 2009

The Bank of Canada will hold its monetary policy meeting on Tuesday, and economists are mixed over whether the central bank will cut rates or introduce quantitative easing measures. However, most agree forecasts for economic growth will be downgraded...(read more)