Sound Economy with Jon Talton
Veteran financial journalist Jon Talton blogs daily on the most important economic news, trends and issues involving Seattle and the Northwest. Read his regular column every other Sunday in the Seattle Times.
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'Dr. Doom' warns that we may be facing a double-dip recession
Posted by Jon Talton
Top of the News: "Dr. Doom," economist Nouriel Roubini, was the only prominent economist to call the crash early. Lately, he had been seeing some signs that growth could return fairly soon and the risks of a depression have eased.
But his latest look at the stock market is cautionary. "The risk of a correction in the face of disappointing macroeconomic fundamentals is clear," he wrote in the Taipai Times. "Indeed, recent data from the U.S. and other advanced economies suggest that the recession may last through the end of the year. Worse, the recovery is likely to be anemic and sub-par..."
Oil prices are rising too fast. Unemployment is growing and bank troubles have not been fully solved. The result: risks of a double-dip recession may be growing.
The Back Story: The credit-card crisis continues to bubble. The blog Zero Hedge reports on a Moody's survey showing card charge-offs at a 20-year high, as Americans battle job losses, foreclosures, lost 401(k) values and too much debt. The pace of rising charge-offs is called "unprecedented."
The question now is whether the banks can manage the problem, of whether it will turn into another cry for bailout. And don't forget all those toxic assets -- they're still there, whatever "value" the banks attach to them.
Today's Econ Haiku:
Will you drink more green?
Starbucks is counting on it
What a daily grind
Vote starting at noon on your favorite Econ Haiku of the week.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Nov 23, 09 - 10:10 AM
No, Virginia, there's no Santa Claus to return housing to 2005
Nov 20, 09 - 10:05 AM
State and local government deficits will be major drags on recovery
Nov 19, 09 - 9:55 AM
China pulls the world economy back to growth, but no momentum to halt job losses
Nov 18, 09 - 9:40 AM
The entirely predictable 'unexpected' housing drop -- and vote on the jobs mess
Nov 17, 09 - 10:15 AM
Depression avoided? Not so fast


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