If economics were literature, the story of what happened to inflation would be a gripping whodunit. Did inflation perish of natural causes—a weak economy, for instance? Was it killed by central banks, with high interest rates the murder weapon? Or...
Critics of economics like to say that its abstract theories lack real-world pay-offs. There is a glaring counter-example: the global rise of central-bank independence in the past 25 years. In the 1970s it was normal for politicians to manipulate interest...
Saving for retirement or other big life moments is often viewed as an end in itself: Sock away a little bit each month, and you’ll achieve your financial goals. But many of these accounts can also play a role in...
Basket of American companies exposed to Europe up 23% in 2019 IMF sharply downgrades its outlook for euro-area economies The soft spot for the global economy is a source of strength for the U.S. stock market. A basket of American...
You finally finished your taxes and are learning – for better or worse – the ins and outs of the new law. But wait, the law isn’t done with you. There’s another complication coming out later this year: The Internal...
No one wants to lose money, particularly for retirement. But it happens – people lose track of, or don’t know they have, retirement accounts. It’s surprisingly easy to do. People switch jobs, move, change names and the company or plan...
Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to speak after a marathon Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, according to media reports. Meanwhile, members of Parliament are maneuvering to try to prevent a no-deal split in 10 days. Kitty Donaldson & Robert Hutton...
The House of Commons will attempt to break its Brexit deadlock on Wednesday with votes on alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce deal with the European Union. The exact way the so-called “indicative votes” will work is still the...
The countdown to the tax-filing deadline is underway. Most taxpayers have until April 15 to file their federal returns. Residents in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 17 due to local holidays. If you don’t file on time, you risk...
No one wants a visit from the Internal Revenue Service. But if you get too generous with your calculations, you may need to back up your tax return. “For individuals, it usually comes down to being too overly aggressive with...
If you want to retire by age 65, you should be setting aside 10-17 percent of your income. And that's if you start saving as early as age 25. If you wait until 35 to start, you have to save...
We all seem to be on the lookout for clues that we're on the verge of another widespread financial crisis. The memories from the debacle a decade ago are so bad that no one wants to be caught by surprise...
The biggest tax code overhaul in decades has made sport of tracking this year's average tax refund size. (Currently this year's refund is $22 higher versus last year.) The scrutiny is also reviving any even older and highly emotional debate...
Ministers will resume efforts later to secure legally-binding changes to Theresa May's Brexit deal that might get MPs' backing in a week's time. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will meet EU officials in Brussels in search...
The U.S. budget deficit widened to $310 billion in the first four months of the fiscal year, underscoring the revenue hit from Republican tax cuts and an increase in government spending. The budget gap widened 77 percent compared with the...
