Economic News - Wall Street Journal

More
- BigCharts
- Virtual Stock Exchange
- WSJ Asia
- WSJ Europe
- WSJ Portuguese
- WSJ Spanish
- WSJ Chinese
- WSJ Japanese
- WSJ Radio
- Financial News
- WSJ Lifestyle Brands
- WSJwine

Thursday, February 10, 2011 As of 6:46 PM EST
- |
The Wall Street Journal Economy
- Welcome, Logout
U.S. Edition Home
↓ More
WSJ.com is available in the following editions and languages:

U.S.

Asia

India

China

Japan

Europe

Americas

en Español

em Português

Register for FREE

Register for FREE

Thank you for registering.

We sent an email to:

Please click on the link inside the email to complete your registration

Please register to gain free access to WSJ tools.

An account already exists for the email address entered.

Forgot your username or password?

This service is temporary unavailable due to system maintenance. Please try again later.

The username entered is already associated with
another account. Please enter a different username

The email address you have entered is already in use.
Please re-enter the email address.

First Name

Last Name

Email (your email address will be your login)

Confirm Email

Create a Password

Confirm Password

Company Size (Optional)

From time to time, we will send you e-mail announcements on new features and special offers from The Wall Street Journal Online.

Create a profile for me in the Journal Community

Why Register?

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

As a registered user of The Wall Street Journal Online, you will be able to:

Setup and manage your portfolio

Personalize your own news page

Receive and manage newsletters

Login/Register to set your edition
Log In

Log In

Login

Password

Log in
Your login is either a username or an email address.
Keep me logged in. Forgot your password?

Share articles and comments with your friends
Login with Facebook
What's This?

You can connect your Facebook profile with WSJ.com to share articles, comments, and other activity with your friends.

World » More

World » More

Loading…
U.S. » More

U.S. » More

Loading…
New York » More

New York » More

Loading…
Business » More

Business » More

Loading…
Markets » More

Markets » More

Loading…
Tech » More

Tech » More

Loading…
Personal Finance » More

Personal Finance » More

Loading…
Life & Culture » More

Life & Culture » More

Loading…
Opinion » More

Opinion » More

Loading…
Careers » More

Careers » More

Loading…
Real Estate » More

Real Estate » More

Loading…
Small Business » More

Small Business » More

Loading…

Rising China Bests
A Shrinking Japan
China passed Japan in 2010 to become the world's second-largest economy, a historic shift that has drawn mixed emotions in the two Asian powers: resignation tinged with soul-searching in long-stagnant Japan, pride but also caution in an ascendant China wary of shouldering new global responsibilities.

Subscriber Content Read Preview

Export Shift Turns Rivals Into Allies
The U.S. trade gap widened in December to $40.58 billion, with the full-year trade gap registering its biggest percentage increase in 10 years. Exports continued their upward trend, but were outpaced by imports.
- Where and What Is U.S. Trading?
- Year-End GDP Growth Looking Better
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Germany's Central Bank Chief Resigns
Deutsche Bundesbank President Axel Weber, until recently the most likely man to take over the European Central Bank from Jean-Claude Trichet, is to step down from his duties April 30, the German government said.
- Weber Says He Would Have Stood Out
- Bundesbank Head's Move Angers Merkel
- Central Bank Watch
Irish Bailout Hits Snags
The party expected to take power in Ireland's elections this month is maneuvering to renegotiate its terms, but talks with its primary funder, the European Union, will be delicate.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Regulators Close Four Banks
U.S. regulators announced the failures of four more banks, in Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin and California, bringing the total for the year so far to 18.
Higher Pay Gains Are Seen for 2011
U.S. workers have reason to hope for slightly better pay raises this year, a shift that could add momentum to the economic recovery.
- Vote: Have you gotten a raise in the past year?
Rise in Rates Is Headwind for Housing
U.S. 30-year mortgage rates have jumped above 5% for the first time since last spring, in a rapid rise that could present a challenge to the still-troubled housing market.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Canada Posts Surprise Trade Surplus
Canada's trade balance reverted to the first surplus in 10 months in December, confounding expectations for continued deficits, as shipments of energy products led the largest exports gain since 1982.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

IMF Seeks More Greek Progress
Greece's international lenders of last resort said the country has made enough progress to receive an additional $20.4 billion aid tranche but needs to accelerate economic changes and commit large-scale privatizations.
For U.K. Banks, Calamity Is Born
Regulators are forcing lenders to consider scenarios like a flu pandemic or disruptions to the country's food-supply chain to measure banks' financial health.
- Banks May Face Tougher Tests
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Jobless Claims Fall Below 400,000
The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, pointing to continued improvement in the jobs market.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Export Rebound Unlikely to Close Gap With Imports
Subscriber Content Read Preview

U.K. Factory-Gate Inflation Accelerates
G-20 to Address Hot Money
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Ireland's Kenny Wants Bank-Injection Delay
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Fed's Warsh Plans to Leave His Post
Subscriber Content Read Preview

German Inflation Revised Upward
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Spanish Data Underline Malaise
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Bank of England Keeps Rates Steady
Subscriber Content Read Preview

U.K. Manufacturing Drops Unexpectedly
Subscriber Content Read Preview

ECB Survey Sees Modest Inflation
Subscriber Content Read Preview

ThyssenKrupp Warns on Mill Costs
Subscriber Content Read Preview

India Factory Output Growth Slows Further
Subscriber Content Read Preview

French Industrial Output Rises Unexpectedly
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Online Game's Banker Battles Inflation
Bernanke Tries to Soothe GOP
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Property Levy Called Taxman's Best Option
Subscriber Content Read Preview

U.S. Asks India to Ease FDI Rules
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Ocado Shares Tumble
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Bond Rating Drop Ignites Pension Fight
Subscriber Content Read Preview

German Shuns Euro Bank Job
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Germany's Current Account Surplus Expands
Subscriber Content Read Preview

House GOP Fears States 'Crisis'
Subscriber Content Read Preview

ECB's Noyer: Stress Tests Must Be Credible
Inflation Worries Spread
Subscriber Content Read Preview

China Looks to Boost Grain Production
Subscriber Content Read Preview

U.K. Trade Deficit Hits Record
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Fitch Warns of Stagflation Risk
Subscriber Content Read Preview

In Muni Bonds, Danger and Hope
Layoffs Down but Hiring Slow

Real Time Economics

Number of the Week: Government's Overwhelming Role in Mortgages
Fannie and Freddie have become such an integral part of the U.S. housing market that it's perilous to get rid of them with any haste. Loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie, Freddie and other state entities accounted for 92% of all mortgage loans made in September.
Where and What Is U.S. Trading Internationally?
The Commerce Department reported today that U.S. trade rebounded strongly in 2010. The following charts detail who we're trading with, and what we're trading.
Consumers Turning Into Inflation Hawks
Consumers see more inflation ahead. That views puts them at odds with Federal Reserve officials and private sector economists.
Philly Fed Survey Upgrades 2011 Assessment
Trade Data Make Year-End Growth Look Better
Secondary Sources: Labor Force, Iraqi Economy, Printing Press
See All

RSS Feed

Columns

The outlook
By Staff
Commercial Real Estate Coming Back, but Unevenly

Capital
By David Wessel
Big Issues the Budget May Miss

The Numbers Guy

Sorting the Fast-Food Beef From the Chaff
Just how much beef is in fast-food meat? It can be tough for consumers to know, since the data on the content of some of their favorite food items are limited and confusing.
- Weighing the Beef
Big Issues the Budget May Miss
When Barack Obama's budget arrives on Monday, look for responses to two issues: The budget is on an unsustainable course, and the economy isn't growing fast enough to bring down unemployment and raise incomes.
- Video: This Budget Can't Afford Side-Steps
Commercial Real Estate Coming Back, but Unevenly
Commercial property took less of a drubbing than residential real estate in the recession but still faces a long and painful recovery.
Labor Shortage Persists in Some Fields
Companies are starting to hire again, but finding highly qualified applicants for more technical positions is proving a challenge for some firms.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

Strong Growth Has Its Drawbacks
Strong economic growth should, in theory, make the U.S.'s problems easier to solve. In reality, it often fosters complacency and allows officials to avoid unpalatable choices.