Podcasts about federal reserve chairman ben bernanke

What if the world is not as it seems? Join us as we peel back the layers of historical and current geopolitical dynamics, starting with the seminal anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and leading up to the tantalizing rise of gold prices, nearly reaching $2,700 an ounce. We explore the financial undercurrents that have shaped pivotal moments in history and contemplate what these mean for our present and future. Reflecting on events like the 2011 gold price peak and the strategic moves of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, we examine the intricate dance between monetary policy and market reactions. Through this lens, precious metals emerge as a beacon of value amidst the chaos of economic uncertainty.As the global economic crisis unfolds, we scrutinize the role of influential figures and institutions, questioning whether elite agendas are steering us toward radical change. With debt ballooning to unprecedented levels and economic policies under the microscope, we speculate on the potential for bankruptcy and currency debasement. Delve into the theories suggesting intentional system overloads and consider if deregulation and tax incentives offer a path to stability. Yet, the persistent hum of currency printers raises questions about the future of precious metals and the intentionality behind these economic maneuvers.We conclude with a sobering look at the economic challenges faced in the lead-up to elections, examining their impact on the American spirit of entrepreneurship and financial freedom. As interest rates fluctuate and unemployment claims climb, the viability of the American dream is called into question, especially for younger generations grappling with inflated costs. We explore the cascading effects of economic instability on regional banks, manufacturing, and the potential collapse of the middle class, urging listeners to remain vigilant about the motivations driving modern corporate actions. The episode wraps up with a thought-provoking discussion on war skepticism, urging a critical examination of the motivations behind military actions and their broader societal costs.

Chapter 1:Summary of Too Big To Fail Book"Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—And Themselves" is a non-fiction book by Andrew Ross Sorkin, first published in 2009. It provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis, particularly focusing on the events that led to the collapse of major financial institutions and the subsequent government interventions.The book's title, "Too Big to Fail," refers to a business theory that certain corporations, particularly financial institutions, are so large and interconnected that their failure would be disastrous to the greater economic system. Therefore, they must be supported by the government when they face potential failure.Andrew Ross Sorkin, a financial journalist, uses his extensive access to key players in politics, finance, and academia to weave together a detailed and dramatic narrative. He takes the reader into the meeting rooms, boardrooms, and offices where decisions were made, capturing the tense atmosphere and the complex interplay of personalities and interests.Key figures in the book include U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and various high-level executives from Wall Street's top firms, such as Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs. The book details the struggle to save Lehman Brothers, the controversial bailout of AIG, and the consolidation and rearrangement of major financial institutions during the crisis."Too Big to Fail" also touches upon the roles of key regulatory frameworks, the flawed decisions by executives that led to risky financial practices, and the chain reaction set off by falling real estate prices and the implosion of the subprime mortgage market.Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of the crisis, offering insights into the challenges and decisions faced by leaders, and illustrating the grave impacts on the global economy when major financial systems falter. "Too Big to Fail" is considered a definitive work on the 2008 financial crisis, appreciated for bringing clarity to a complex series of events that affected millions globally.Chapter 2:the theme of Too Big To Fail Book"Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—and Themselves" by Andrew Ross Sorkin is a non-fiction book that documents the events that led up to the financial crisis in 2008. It offers a detailed account of the crisis from the perspectives of the Wall Street and Washington players involved. Below, I'll outline some key plot points, character development, and thematic ideas presented in the book.### Key Plot Points1. **Lehman Brothers' Collapse**: One of the central events in the book is the downfall of Lehman Brothers, whose bankruptcy filing marked one of the largest in U.S. history and a pivotal moment in the financial crisis. The narrative explores the frantic efforts to find a buyer for Lehman and the decision not to bail it out.2. **Bailout Negotiations**: The book goes into detail about the negotiations surrounding the bailouts of other major financial institutions, including the creation and implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). These negotiations reveal the complexities and urgent nature of the crisis.3. **Merrill Lynch's Sale**: The sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America under pressured conditions illustrates the desperation and rapid changes in the landscape of financial power during the crisis.4. **AIG's Rescue**: The federal government's rescue of AIG, an insurance giant on

K.C. CONWAY, CCIM, MAI, CRE Commercial Real Estate Economist and Futurist Economist and Futurist Kiernan “KC” Conway, CCIM, CRE, MAI is the mind trust behind Red Shoe Economics, LLC, an independent economic forecasting and consulting firm furthering KC's mission as The Red Shoe Economist by providing organic research initiatives, reporting and insights on the impact of Economics within the commercial real estate industry. Conway is a frequent speaker for the Federal Reserve, FDIC, FHLB, state bank commissioners, academic groups, professional organizations, and industry associations.  He previously served as chief economist for Colliers International-US. In addition to being a frequent lecturer at international conferences, Conway has consulted with major governmental agencies, most notably briefing former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Board of Governors on the burgeoning subprime lending and housing crisis and its impact on the commercial real estate industry. In this podcast K.C. CONWAY will be speaking on the below topics: ​1] How Inflation Will Determine Prices? 2] GDP Is Contracting: Are We In A Recession Yet? ​3] How Drought Conditions Will Create CRE Opportunities? 4] The Worst Is Yet To Come ​5] What We Can Learn From The 1977-81 Inflation Era? ​​6] Where Are Real Estate Prices Going Next? ​​7] How Will Real Estate Be Impacted By The Reflation/inflation Backdrop? ​​8] How Can Investors Defend Their Portfolios From A Higher Inflation Environment? Don't spend another minute wondering if you should be investing! Learn how you can today!. Schedule Your Free Call To Get Started https://bit.ly/3L6sVid #investing #activeinvesting #investortips #passiveinvesting #activerealestateinvesting #passiverealestateinvesting #realestateinvesting #apartmentsyndication #multifamily #realestateeducation #realestateinvestingcourses #realestatetraining #realestatementor #multifamilymentor #multifamilycoach #realestateentrepreneur #achieveacademy#jameskandasamy #passiveinvestingincommercialrealestate

K.C. CONWAY, CCIM, MAI, CRE Commercial Real Estate Economist and Futurist Economist and Futurist Kiernan “KC” Conway, CCIM, CRE, MAI is the mind trust behind Red Shoe Economics, LLC, an independent economic forecasting and consulting firm furthering KC's mission as The Red Shoe Economist by providing organic research initiatives, reporting and insights on the impact of Economics within the commercial real estate industry. Conway is a frequent speaker for the Federal Reserve, FDIC, FHLB, state bank commissioners, academic groups, professional organizations, and industry associations.  He previously served as chief economist for Colliers International-US. In addition to being a frequent lecturer at international conferences, Conway has consulted with major governmental agencies, most notably briefing former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Board of Governors on the burgeoning subprime lending and housing crisis and its impact on the commercial real estate industry. In this podcast K.C. CONWAY will be speaking on the below topics: ​1] How Inflation Will Determine Prices? 2] GDP Is Contracting: Are We In A Recession Yet? ​3] How Drought Conditions Will Create CRE Opportunities? 4] The Worst Is Yet To Come ​5] What We Can Learn From The 1977-81 Inflation Era? ​​6] Where Are Real Estate Prices Going Next? ​​7] How Will Real Estate Be Impacted By The Reflation/inflation Backdrop? ​​8] How Can Investors Defend Their Portfolios From A Higher Inflation Environment? Don't spend another minute wondering if you should be investing! Learn how you can today!. Schedule Your Free Call To Get Started https://bit.ly/3L6sVid #investing #activeinvesting #investortips #passiveinvesting #activerealestateinvesting #passiverealestateinvesting #realestateinvesting #apartmentsyndication #multifamily #realestateeducation #realestateinvestingcourses #realestatetraining #realestatementor #multifamilymentor #multifamilycoach #realestateentrepreneur #achieveacademy#jameskandasamy #passiveinvestingincommercialrealestate

The Far Middle episode 79 is a special Thanksgiving edition, dedicated to the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates. The 1970s Pirates were known as “The Lumber Company” due to the hurting they could do at the plate. Today, on the geopolitical stage, we see Putin trying to lay the lumber on Europe with his use of energy leverage. Nick discusses the new spin from the Left on Europe’s energy chaos, which is that Putin is helping jumpstart Europe’s energy transition. This view is simply a means to justify more climate policy mandates.Nick proceeds to dissect, with Bert Blyleven precision, the recent quote from EU Green Deal Chief Frans Timmermans that, “Renewables give us the freedom to choose an energy source that is clean, cheap, reliable, and ours.” Following Nick’s analysis of Mr. Timmermans’ mistruth, Mr. Timmermans is presented with the first-ever Crown of Claptrap Award.Next, Nick turns to former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who won the Nobel prize for economics last month. Nick takes exception with the policies of recent Fed chairs that have created negative real interest rates, bloated asset bubbles, stoked inflation, eroded work ethic, and created a false sense of fiscal security. “No one should ever confuse Ben Bernanke with someone like Paul Volcker,” says Nick.Related to Fed chairs is how the Federal Reserve’s leadership over the past roughly 20 years has been mono- or unipartisan under recent presidents. Nick argues the Fed has injected extreme monetary policy into the veins of our economy and the symptoms are too severe to ignore any longer.While on policy, Nick offers a simple solution to address conflicts of interest within government: if the whole of government is going to put its power into pushing and enforcing climate policies, then the whole of government should be precluded and prohibited from profiting through the purchase (direct or indirect) of stock or equity of companies or funds in the favored industries under such policies. It’s a pretty simple solution that Nick pegs has about the same odds of being adopted as the Pirates winning next year’s World Series (currently sitting at 150 to 1).In closing, Nick connects back to the episode’s start, linking the 1979 Pirates to one of his all-time favorite rock bands, Rush. Specifically noting the lyrics to their song “The Trees,” which was released as a single in 1979.

Did former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke deserve the 2022 Nobel Prize in Economics? FFF president Jacob G. Hornberger and Citadel professor Richard M. Ebeling discuss the fed, monetary policy, and Austrian economics. Please subscribe to our email newsletter FFF Daily here.

This episode of Flashback Friday was initially published: 9/17/2012 Jason Hartman welcomes guest co-host/listener, Brandon, from Portland, Oregon, as they discuss several things. First, a discussion of some of Jason's recent book consumption, including; Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler and Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson. Next, Jason and Brandon analyze Peter Schiff's most recent video criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and QE3 (Quantitative Easing). Peter has some things right and others wrong. As Jason has pointed out in so many prior episodes, gold and silver are mediocre asset classes and shouldn't be considered 'investments' but somewhat defensive ways to save money, store wealth and keep pace with inflation.  An investment is an OFFENSIVE tool; gold and silver are only defensive tools. The real way to profit is to exploit the next housing bubble. Some of the questions covered in this episode are:  Abundance - Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler 1. In what ways is the world getting better? It sure seems like there is a lot of negativity out there. 2. How will technology provide "top-tier" education to everyone on the planet, as Diamandis & Kotler mention in the book? Free - Chris Anderson 1. Chris Anderson mentions that some things can be too cheap to meter. What sort of goods is he referencing, and what is the cause of this innovation? 2. How will the big companies like Microsoft compete with the free model? 3. Who wins with "free" - businesses or consumers? 4. Will we ever get to the point where almost everything in our lives is free? Peter Schiff on QE3 1. Is the goal of QE3 to drive up asset prices? It seems to me that asset price increase in housing will only cause the illusion of wealth. 2. Why would QE3 work this time if it didn't work before? Websites: www.JasonHartman.com www.JasonHartman.com/properties Jason Hartman PropertyCast (Libsyn) Jason Hartman PropertyCast (iTunes) 1-800-HARTMAN

NYPD Counterterrorism Chief John Miller tells Fareed what it means that ISIS claims credit for the Sri Lanka attacks, despite no longer controlling any territory in Syria or Iraq. Then, Fareed sits down with former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and former Treasury Secretaries Hank Paulson and Tim Geithner, for an exclusive look back on the financial crisis, a decade later. Guests: John Miller, Ben Bernanke, Hank Paulson, Tim Geithner, Jared Cohen.

Millions of people spend their day chatting away on their cellphones, ordering groceries from Amazon's Alexa, making calendar appointments with Apple's Siri, or posting on Facebook about the last concert they attended. Sharing our personal information via social media platforms or providing it to third party companies has become so common place in our routines that it begs the question, "What, if anything, in our personal lives is really private?" As we grow more comfortable using modern technology to streamline and stay connected, are we risking our right to a reasonable expectation of privacy, a protection garnered by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? Modern innovation has presented the judiciary with unique challenges, as the court balances the legitimate interests of government and the people. We will explore the dynamics of Carpenter v. United States, United States v. Miller, and Smith v. Maryland, and the recent developments surrounding the Golden State Killer and the Arkansas murder case involving Amazon's Alexa. About the speaker: Jillean Long Battle serves as Director of Privacy, Security and Compliance for the Rofori Corporation, an innovative technology company that uses meta data tagging and advanced algorithmic software to enhance virtual communication and cyber security protection for the public and private sectors. Before joining the Rofori Corporation, Jillean served as the Deputy Treasurer of State for both Missouri and Indiana. In her roles, she took the lead on risk management, provided legal guidance to the state treasurer, and acted to protect the states' investment portfolios, which included assets valued at $3 billion and $8 billion respectively. Jillean also served as a Trustee of the Indiana Public Retirement System, a pension system with approximately $30 billion in assets under management. A self-proclaimed WWII historian and Starbucks enthusiast, Ms. Battle has shared her financial insight and governance strategies in national publications and conferences across North America. She has been a panelist along-side respected economist and political leaders from around the world, including former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. When Jillean is not watching a documentary film or practicing yoga, she is cruising the corridors of art museums for inspiration. Jillean Battle is a licensed attorney, and holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and Indiana University School of Law.

In a special edition of Bloomberg Surveillance, Tom Keene speaks with former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke ahead of the central bank's latest rate decision. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In a special edition of Bloomberg Surveillance, Tom Keene speaks with former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke ahead of the central bank's latest rate decision.

Rose City Forum Thursday 11/3/2016 12 Noon LIVE on KKPZ 1330 AM & 97.5 FM (LIVE FEED - KKPZ.com) Guest: Colm Willis, Running for the 5th Congressional District. State of Oregon Colm is an Oregonian. He is a husband, a father of two girls and a small business attorney in Stayton, Oregon. Some of his favorite memories as a child include spending Christmas Eve every year at Mt. Angel with his family and hiking the timberline trail around Mount Hood during the summer. After high school Colm attended Boston College in Massachusetts. When he graduated, Colm took a job in the U.S. Senate as an aide to the Joint Economic Committee during the economic collapse of 2008. He staffed congressional hearings with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and helped economists analyze data. However not long after he was hired, Colm left Capitol Hill, feeling disillusioned with members of both partiesâ?? decision to bail out investment banks and major corporations with taxpayer dollars instead of giving the taxpayer money back to working people. He came back home to Oregon at the end of 2010 and while working full time, Colm attended Willamette University College of Law. In 2015 he earned the Civil Rights Award and graduated first in his class as valedictorian. Colm now represents individuals, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs in the Willamette Valley. A lifelong Republican, Colm is running for office because he feels that for too long political and business leaders have used their power to benefit themselves at the expense of working families. As a result of their maneuvering, health insurance costs are rising, taxes are hitting regular people harder, childcare and education have become prohibitively expensive, and decent paying jobs are getting harder to find. Colm believes that we must reassert our constitutional rights, lower taxes on working people, protect vulnerable Oregonians, and limit the governmentâ??s reach in our lives. If we do this he believes Oregon will be a place where a good education, a good job, a good home and a secure retirement will be available to every Oregonian. https://colmwillis.com Rose City Forum Thursday 11/3/2016 12 Noon LIVE on KKPZ 1330 AM & 97.5 FM (LIVE FEED - KKPZ.com)

Episode 39 of Wall Street Week features two of the greatest economic minds of our time, former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

In this special episode of The Weeds, Ezra interviews former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about what it's like to manage the most powerful economic policymaking institution in the world during a financial crisis. They also talk about Bernanke's views on the Republican party, what he learned from George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and what happened when he went to Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells Congress that it's too soon for the Fed to end its stimulus program.  JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jaime Dimon gets a vote of confidence from shareholders.   And ESPN deals with the rising cost of sports programming.

Jason Hartman welcomes guest co-host/listener, Brandon, from Portland, Oregon as they discuss several things.  First, a discussion of some of Jason's recent book consumption including; Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler and Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson.Next, Jason and Brandon analyze Peter Schiff's most recent video criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and QE3 (Quantitative Easing).  Peter has some things right and others wrong.  As Jason has pointed out in so many prior episodes gold and silver are mediocre asset classes and shouldn't really be considered 'investments' but rather defensive ways to save money, a way to store wealth and keep pace with inflation.  An investment is an OFFENSIVE tool, gold and silver are only defensive tools. The real way to profit is to exploit the next housing bubble.

This is the fourth in a series of four lectures given by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to undergraduates at the George Washington University's School of Business (GWSB). The series, "Reflections on the Federal Reserve and its Place in Today's Economy", provides a firsthand look at the inner-workings of the U.S. central banking system.

This is the third in a series of four lectures given by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to undergraduates at the George Washington University's School of Business (GWSB). The series, "Reflections on the Federal Reserve and its Place in Today's Economy", will provide a firsthand look at the inner-workings of the U.S. central banking system.

This is the second in a series of four lectures given by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to undergraduates at the George Washington University's School of Business (GWSB). The series, "Reflections on the Federal Reserve and its Place in Today's Economy", will provide a firsthand look at the inner-workings of the U.S. central banking system.

This is the first in a series of four lectures given by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to undergraduates at the George Washington University's School of Business (GWSB). The series, "Reflections on the Federal Reserve and its Place in Today's Economy", will provide a firsthand look at the inner-workings of the U.S. central banking system.

Markets After three days of losses, markets returned to positive territory on Wednesday, spurred on by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment that the Fed is prepared to do more to stimulate the economy if it falters. News Corporation added 58 cents after the beleaguered media giant announced it will abandon a bid for full control of a British satellite broadcaster. The Dow gained 45 points, closing at 12,492. The Nasdaq rose 15 points, ending at 2,797. And the S&P 500 gained four points, finishing at 1,318. Keeping an Eye on Debt NegotiationsStock portfolio managers say investors are keeping a close watch on Washington, and the halting negotiations over raising the debt ceiling.Jeffrey Cleveland, senior economist with the investment management firm Payden and Rygel, said investors and money managers expect the president and lawmakers will come to an agreement, but the debate isn't helping overall confidence."This does leave a cloud of uncertainty hanging over not just the market, but the economy," he said. "So there's this big question of what's going to happen next and I think that does make investors more hesitant than otherwise would be the case." Cleveland said everyone's focused on what could happen if the nation defaults on its debts, but few are talking about the long term economic effects from a deficit reduction deal. Creating a Better Relationship with Your Boss Unless you are a CEO or run your own business, you probably have a boss. If you're lucky, you enjoy working with your manager. But for many of us, the boss we have isn't necessarily the boss we want. Is there a way for you to have a better relationship with your boss?  Linda Hill, runs the Leadership Initiative at Harvard Business School, where she is also a professor. "Often we think we are supposed to be relatively passive in this relationship, and that the boss sort of tells us how the relationship would be," she said. "But unless the boss really understands what will allow you to be effective on your job, the boss may or may not come up with the right way of your working together." Hill offers some other tips on working together with your boss.

The Federal Reserve's sometimes-controversial program of quantitative easing, or QE2, comes to an end in 15 days. Under the program, the Fed bought $600 billion in U.S. treasury bonds, in an effort to keep interest rates low and spur economic growth. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave QE2 tepid support at his news conference last April."We were very clear from the beginning that while we thought this was an important step, this was not going to be a panacea, that it was only going to turn the economy in the right direction," he said. Was Bernanke right? Did QE2 turn the economy in the right direction?Lawrence White, Professor of Economics at NYU's Stern School of Business, said yes. "There was more lending, the banks were not just sitting on the cash. They were out-lending more than otherwise would have been the case," he said. "I think the economy would have been in more serious difficulties had the QE2 not happened."White backs up his case, and speculates on what may happen, now that QE2 is coming to an end. MarketsStocks ended sharply lower, as unrest in Greece further destabilized global financial markets. Major indexes had their biggest drop since June 1. The Dow dumped 179 points, to close below 12,000 for the second time in two weeks, at 11,897. The S&P 500 dropped 22 points, to close at 1,265. The NASDAQ shed 47 points, to 2,631.

April_27th_2011.mp3 Dove or Hawk?    Today the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a press conference, which is very rare; historically a statement is delivered but not a question and answer session.   30 Year Treasury Bond Yields (Click For Larger Picture) Many investors jumped out the frying pan and into the fire, in 2008 after losing 36% in stocks many investors ran into 30 year U.S treasuries which yielded only 2.83% in January 2009 and rose to 4.76% by June 2009 a loss of capital of over 25%. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Historically through thousands of years it has been found the normal rate of interest is 7%. If we move to that level U.S. 30 year Treasuries will lose a further 30% of their principal value. In 1981 some will remember the Canadian prime rate reached 23% and reached 2.25% in 2009. Many conservative investors could find their savings tied up in bond funds in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are many opportunities to make money but it requires action on your part, each stock selected must show risk/reward of at least 2:1. Make the call - let me provide you with a unique perspective on your investments through a no-obligation consultation. Contact me by filling out the 'Unique Perspective' form on the Contact page, or by calling at 1-204-982-0633. Before trading, please contact an investment professional.

IdTheftSecrets posted a photo: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's wife was among the victims of an identity theft ring responsible for over $2 million in fraud perpetrated by an "inside" accomplice working for two D.C. area physicians.

Guest: Winifred Hayes, PhD Host: Bruce Japsen Evidence-based technology assessment may be an unfamiliar term to most of us, but it is gaining momentum in the health-care industry. Dr. Winifred Hayes, chief executive of Hayes Inc., tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen why it may be a solution to controlling health care costs, and how it has gained the support of such varied sources as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the prestigious Institute of Medicine.

According to the Chicago purchasing managers' index, most firms in the Chicago region were growing in November. The index improved to 52.9% in November from 49.7% in October. The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending edged up 0.2 percent in October, the weakest showing since a similar increase in June. Individual incomes grew by just 0.2 percent last month, the poorest showing in six months. A gauge of core inflation tied to consumer spending edged up just 0.2 percent in October and is up only 1.9 percent over the past year.Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave investors more reason to believe further interest rate cuts are on the way. In a speech late Thursday, Bernanke said tight credit conditions, the housing slump and high energy prices will probably create some "headwinds for the consumer in the months ahead." Spending on U.S. construction projects resumed a decline in October, reversing two months of gains as outlays on homes and other private building projects fell. September's gain was previously estimated to be 0.3%. ConocoPhillips (COP) said it submitted a proposal to develop a pipeline in Alaska that would transport about 4 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to the United States and Canada. The company said it is "prepared to make significant investments, without state matching funds, to advance this project." In Forex News The yen fell against the dollar after a rally in global stocks prompted investors to buy higher- yielding assets with funds borrowed in Japan through a practice known as the carry trade.The dollar headed for a third monthly decline against the euro as traders started to bet the Fed will lower the target overnight lending rate between banks by as much as half a percentage point next month to bolster economic growth. Also, the U.S. Dollar Index was set for a third monthly loss as the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council that includes Saudi Arabia may consider relaxing their fixed exchange rates to the U.S. currency at a meeting in Qatar starting Dec. 3rd. China's yuan had the biggest monthly gain since a link to the dollar was scrapped in July 2005 as European and U.S. officials stepped up a diplomatic offensive to seek faster appreciation. The Chinese currency strengthened this week as European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet led a delegation that met leaders in Beijing to push for faster appreciation in the yuan.Scheduled Economic Reports (Next Week)ISM Manufacturing and Services Index (Nov), Productivity (Q3), Factory Orders (Oct), Non-Farm Payrolls (Nov), Consumer Sentiment (Dec)In Earnings NewsDell (DELL) earned $766 million, or 34 cents per share, in the three months ended Nov. 2nd. Analysts were expecting the company to post profits of 35 cents.Tiffany & Co.'s (TIF) said net income climbed to $98.9 million, or 71 cents per share.Mentor Graphics (MENT) reported a third-quarter loss of $9.2 million, or 10 cents a share, from a year-earlier profit of $2.5 million, or 3 cents a share. OmniVision Technologies (OVTI) fiscal second-quarter net income rose to $20.5 million, or 36 cents a share.Scheduled Earnings Reports (Next Week)Guess, Isle of Capri Casinos, Readers Digest, AutoZone, Layne Christensen, Payless Shoes, Sanderson Farms, Novell, Korn Ferry International, and Toll BrothersStocks in the NewsFreddie Mac (FRE) priced its $6 billion fixed-to-floating rate non-convertible non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock at $25 a share.McDonald?s (MCD) said it named Neil Golden chief marketing officer of McDonald's USA, effective April 1st.And Morgan Stanley (MS) said Zoe Cruz is retiring as co-president.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, warning that higher inflation and weaker economic growth could be in store, told Congress that the central bank is keeping a close eye on the subprime mortgage crisis and recent spike in oil prices. But Bernanke also downplayed fears of a recession, saying that the Fed expected the economy to grow next year, albeit at a more moderate pace than in recent quarters.The Labor Department reported that 317,000 applicants filed for jobless claims last week, down by 13,000 from the previous week. It was the lowest level since Oct. 9th. The bigger-than-expected improvement came even though benefit applications were boosted by almost 3,000 in California as a result of the wildfires that struck that state.The European Central Bank left key interest rate unchanged at 4 percent, even as member nations are beset by rising inflation, a stronger euro and calls to follow interest rate cuts in the United States. The ECB's move followed the Bank of England's announcement that it was keeping its benchmark rate steady at 5.75 percent -- decisions that come at a time of mixed signals from both sides of the Atlantic.Warmer weather, combined with ongoing housing market problems and higher gas prices, eroded retail sales for a second consecutive month in October - a trend that raises questions about the strength of this year's holiday shopping season. Overall, October same-store sales rose 1.6 percent, which was weaker than its initial forecast of a 2 percent rise. Vonage Holdings Corp. (VG) said it was in talks with AT&T to settle a patent suit, the last of several filed against it by traditional phone companies. Vonage said it and AT&T are discussing settling the suit for $39 million. Apple (AAPL) continues to make news and generate interest around the world. The company?s popular iPhone will go on sale in Germany and Britain on Friday, making its European debut four months after its launch in the United States.In Forex News TodayThe U.S. dollar was lower early Thursday, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress highlighted risks to both economic growth and price stability. The dollar has remained under severe pressure against most major currencies on expectations that the stumbling U.S. housing market and related credit-market problems will hurt economic growth, leading the Fed to cut interest rates further. A currency loses value against rivals when interest rates fall. The U.S. dollar touched the weakest since 1981 versus the pound and the cheapest since 1995 against the Swiss franc as slowing growth dimmed the allure of U.S. assets. The dollar's decline started after the European Central Bank and the Bank of England kept their borrowing costs unchanged today.The dollar also fell this week to an all-time low against the synthetic euro, a theoretical value for where the currency would have traded before its inception. The prior record was $1.4557 set in 1992. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told the U.S. Congress that the Bush administration must stem the dollar's plunge or risk a trade war. The rising competitiveness of U.S. exports helped shrink the nation's trade deficit to $57.6 billion in August, the smallest since January. The yield advantage of two-year German bunds over comparable-maturity Treasuries widened, the most since April 2004. A widening spread boosts the appeal of European debt relative to that of the U.S. Europe's single currency will trade at $1.44 versus the dollar by year-end.Scheduled Economic Reports (Friday)Trade Gap (Sep), Import Prices (Oct), Consumer Sentiment (Nov)In Earnings NewsFord Motor (F) trimmed losses in the third quarter to post near-break even operating results, despite a sharp drop in U.S. sales in the period. Ford lost only 24 million, or 1 cent a share.Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL) said homebuilding revenue fell 36 percent in the fourth quarter as the excess supply of homes for sale continues to hamper recovery in the housing market.Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC) reported a wider net loss for the third quarter, but operating income rose 59 percent as more cable TV customers signed up for high-speed Internet and digital phone services.Scheduled Earnings Reports (Friday)Six Flags, Lions Gate Entertainment, Dominion Homes, IMAX, Liberty Media, Shoe PavilionStocks in the NewsAmerican Express (AXP) has agreed to drop Visa Inc. from a lawsuit alleging Visa and MasterCard blocked the company from the U.S. bank-issued card business.Rio Tinto Plc (RTP) was approached about a takeover deal by Australia-based miner BHP Billiton, but rejected the bid.Cisco Systems (CSCO) reported a 37% jump in first-quarter profit. For the quarter ended Oct. 27th, the company posted net income of $2.2 billion or 35 cents a share.

To protect against a cancer-causing, sexually-transmitted virus, the Governor of Texas has ordered mandatory vaccination of young girls. We look at a moral and medical controversy that could spread to at least 20 other states.  Plus, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gives a thumbs-up to the economy and, on Reporter's Notebook, the US will sit down with Iran and Syria in regional talks about Iraq.  Could that lead to diplomacy on other issues?

When I use others’ research I always try to give proper credit to the source. Much of the information and research for today’s podcast comes from Consumer Reports Money Adviser (January 2007 Issue). If you listen to AM radio, watch any of the cable news networks and/or your evening news, or read a newspaper, you have probably heard the following terms: Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Inverted Yield Curve, GDP, and Inflation Rate. How many of us really know what these figures and terms truly represent? For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/02/too-scared-to-ask-economic-indicators-explained