Bloomberg: Jobless Claims Rise, Confidence Falls

Related News: Economy, US
Bloomberg: Jobless Claims Rise, Confidence Falls
By Alex Kowalski and Shobhana Chandra - Jun 24, 2011 5:34 AM GMT+0900

More Americans than forecast filed first-time jobless claims last week and consumer confidence fell, highlighting Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s concern that the slowdown in the economy may persist.

CNBC: U.S. Could Face European-Style Debt Crisis: Congressional Report

CNBC: U.S. Could Face European-Style Debt Crisis: Congressional Report
Published: Wednesday, 22 Jun 2011 | 9:55 PM ET
By: AP

The rapidly growing national debt could soon spark a European-style crisis unless Congress moves forcefully, the Congressional Budget Office warned Wednesday in a study that underscores the stakes for a bipartisan group working on a plan to reduce red ink.

WSJ: Fed Darkens Its Outlook but Plans No Changes

ECONOMY JUNE 23, 2011
WSJ: Fed Darkens Its Outlook but Plans No Changes
By JON HILSENRATH And VALERIE BAUERLEIN

Federal Reserve officials see the U.S. economy settling into a disappointingly weak recovery this year and next, and say they have done all they are prepared to do to spur growth for now.

Bloomberg: Foreclosed Inventory Shrinks as Homes Sell

Related News: Real Estate
Bloomberg: Foreclosed Inventory Shrinks as Homes Sell
By John Gittelsohn - Jun 22, 2011 10:30 PM GMT+0900

About 1.7 million U.S. homes were in the foreclosure process and expected to be put on the market as of April, down 18 percent from the peak, as fewer loans entered delinquency and more distressed homes sold, CoreLogic Inc. (CLGX) said.

Reuters: PIMCO head predicts Greece, others will default

Reuters: PIMCO head predicts Greece, others will default
TAIPEI | Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:11pm EDT

(Reuters) - The head of PIMCO, the world's biggest bond fund, predicted that Greece and other European economies would default on their debts to resolve their problems as the euro area faces a debt crisis.

Bloomberg: Existing-Home Sales in U.S. Fell in May to Six-Month Low, May Be at Bottom

Related News: Economy, Real Estate, US, Municipal Bonds
Bloomberg: Existing-Home Sales in U.S. Fell in May to Six-Month Low, May Be at Bottom
By Timothy R. Homan - Jun 22, 2011 5:19 AM GMT+0900

Sales of existing U.S. homes decreased in May to the lowest level in six months, a sign that the housing market is lagging other parts of the economy.

USAToday: Hydra-headed Greek crisis rises anew

USA TODAY: Hydra-headed Greek crisis rises anew
By Scott Patterson, USA TODAY

The crisis in Greece has been a lot like that never-say-die monster in B horror flicks that keeps popping up to scare the audience, even after it's been gunned down a dozen times. In the past week, the Greek crisis reared its head again, triggering a sell-off of risky assets around the globe. What happened this time?

USAToday: As Fed meets amid soft patch, economists eye second half

USA TODAY: As Fed meets amid soft patch, economists eye second half
By Scott Patterson, USA TODAY

The U.S. economy is at a pivot point, teetering between another downturn and a return to the growth path it was on until earlier this year. That problem is sure to weigh on the mind of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke as the Federal Reserve convenes today .

Reuters: Hedge fund bosses cautious ahead of Monaco summit

Reuters: Hedge fund bosses cautious ahead of Monaco summit
By Laurence Fletcher
MONACO | Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:11pm EDT

(Reuters) - European hedge funds' top executives will be in cautious mood this week as they gather in Monaco for their annual summit, after big losses in May took some of the shine off a year of inflows and strong returns.

WSJ: Housing Troubles Have Deep Foundations

AHEAD OF THE TAPE|JUNE 21, 2011
WSJ: Housing Troubles Have Deep Foundations

By DAVID REILLY

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke may be right that recent rises in food and energy prices are transitory. If only the same were true of weakness in the housing market.