Bloomberg: U.S. Manufacturing Grows at Faster Pace Than Estimated, Leading Recovery

Related News: Economy · U.S. · Municipal Bonds
U.S. Manufacturing Grows at Faster Pace Than Estimated, Leading Recovery
By Bob Willis - May 3, 2011 5:24 AM GMT+0900

Manufacturing expanded faster than forecast in April, driven by gains in exports and inventories that are keeping the industry at the forefront of the U.S. economic expansion.

WSJ: Hybrid Securities Feed Yield Hunger

THE VIEW FROM HONG KONG|MAY 2, 2011
Hybrid Securities Feed Yield Hunger

By PETER STEIN and ALISON TUDOR

Asian businesses have found a way to raise money and boost their creditworthiness without ceding control of the boardroom. In the process, they are feeding investors' hunger for high yields.

Reuters: Buffett remains solid on the American economy

Buffett remains solid on the American economy

By Ben Berkowitz
OMAHA, Nebraska | Sun May 1, 2011 4:29pm EDT

(Reuters) - Warren Buffett does not spend his time making stock research recommendations, but he is sure of one thing -- America should have a "strong buy" slapped on it.

WSJ: U.S. Economic Growth Slows

ECONOMY|APRIL 28, 2011, 4:57 P.M. ET
U.S. Economic Growth Slows

By CONOR DOUGHERTY

Economic growth stumbled in the first quarter, but most economists see it as a passing phase caused by a combination of bad weather and surging prices.

CNN Money: 10 places where housing is soaring: France

10 places where housing is soaring
France

Annual increase: 9.5%

Paris has long been known for stylish people, delicious cuisine and universal health care. And let's not forget some of the priciest real estate in the world.

CNN Money: 10 places where housing is soaring: China

10 places where housing is soaring
China

Annual increase: 15.3% (based on Beijing and Shanghai prices)

Need somewhere to store your wealth and maybe even make a healthy profit?
Millions of Chinese have been buying up homes with the same enthusiasm once common among U.S. home buyers. With few investment options for many middle class Chinese, residential properties have become a great option to store wealth. Even while the global financial crisis in 2008 gripped many nations, China's housing market was virtually unaffected.

WSJ: Asia's Growth Seen Imperiled by Prices

ASIA NEWS|APRIL 27, 2011
Asia's Growth Seen Imperiled by Prices

By ALEX FRANGOS

HONG KONG—Unchecked increases in oil and food prices could shave growth across Asia over the next two years, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank, imperiling economic gains among the poor in the globe's fastest expanding region.

Bloomberg: Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Drop Most in More Than Year on Foreclosures

Related News: Economy · Real Estate · U.S.
Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Drop Most in More Than Year on Foreclosures
By Alex Kowalski and Shobhana Chandra - Apr 27, 2011 5:11 AM GMT+0900

Residential real-estate prices dropped in the 12 months to February by the most in more than a year, putting the market on the verge of eclipsing the nadir reached during the U.S. recession.

WSJ: China Seeks Bigger Role in Australia Economy

CHINA NEWS|APRIL 26, 2011, 1:08 P.M. ET
China Seeks Bigger Role in Australia Economy

By DINNY MCMAHON

BEIJING—China aspires to play a greater role in Australia's economy, one of the country's top leaders said Tuesday, signaling Beijing's aspirations for its companies to make inroads beyond simply extracting resources.

CNN Money: Home prices in 'double dip'

Home prices in 'double dip'

By Les Christie, staff writerApril 26, 2011: 12:08 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Home prices in February sank 3.3% to just above the post-crisis lows reached in April 2009. It was the seventh straight month of declines.