Big Picture

Latest Big Picture News & Insights Insights into economic and market news that matters to you

• Ask The Experts: Focus on Housing

  We got a chance to bring in real estate gur-ess and MoneyWatch blogger Alison Rogers for this week's "Ask the Experts". Ali helped us get to the bottom of this week's rotten housing starts numbers and we even got to play a little Elvis Costello in her honor! If you have a question for "Ask the...

  Blog posts | 11-20-09

• Mutual Fund Fee-asco

  Here's a primer on mutual fund fees. I think that I held my hands in that particular position because I was subconsciously praying that after watching, everyone would dump their loaded funds and trade them for index funds! by Jill Schlesinger

  Blog posts | 11-20-09

• What Causes Employment to Lag Output in Recoveries?

  In a previous post, I showed that after a recession ends, the recovery of employment lags the recovery of output, and that the lag has increased substantially in recent recessions. The delay in the recovery of employment has increased from about one quarter prior to 1990 to more than a year in...

  Blog posts | 11-20-09

• State Unemployment Rates: A Small Victory For Little Rhody

  I used to live in Rhode Island, which is why I still take an interest in what's happening there. Little Rhody has gotten crushed in the recession. The last vestiges of its manufacturing base have been vaporized and the contraction in housing have contributed to the state's dismal employment...

  Blog posts | 11-20-09

• Outrage at Executive Pensions

  Taxpayers may need to pay to support worker pensions, but top executives still get big bucks and sweet perks

  Videos | 11-20-09

• Mutual Fund Fees: Are You Paying Too Much?

  MoneyWatch's Jill Schlesinger breaks down the layers of mutual fund fees - from 'loads' to distribution fees

  Videos | 11-20-09

• Most Workers Plan Job Search

  A new survey finds two-thirds of U.S. workers intend to search for new jobs in 2010. Plus: Experts predict a rise in foreclosures

  Videos | 11-20-09

• What's Wrong With the Dodd Proposal to Restructure the Fed

  A proposal from Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd changes the selection process for key positions within the Federal Reserve system. Unfortunately, this proposal makes the selection process worse, not better. If this proposal is passed into law, it would further concentrate...

  Blog posts | 11-20-09

• Grab Your Reinstated 401(k) Match Post-Haste

  Many employers who eliminated 401(k) matching funds during the recession have reinstated them or plan to do so in the year ahead. If you reduced or halted your 401(k) contributions for that reason, you may soon get notice from HR that your match is back, if you haven't already -- and you should...

  Blog posts | 11-19-09

• Pushing for Financial Reform

  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asks Congress for quick action on the overhaul. He says the economy is improving, but unemployment is too high

  Videos | 11-19-09

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