Today in Washington, D.C. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke gave a speech on the economic outlook and macroeconomic policy. Below are my observations from that speech: recovery appears to be strengthening – but not enough to bring the level of job creation necessary recovery is shifting into self-sustaining mode (out of gov’t stimulus mode) housing sector [...]

Comments Off | Filed under: Federal Reserve, General, Public Debt, Taxes
Posted on February 3rd, 2011 by Bob Brinker

This 30 minute interview with Jeremy Grantham is one of the smartest I have seen recently. Watch it!

Comments Off | Filed under: Federal Reserve, General, Gross Domestic Product, Inflation, Public Debt, U.S. Dollar, U.S. Treasury
Posted on November 12th, 2010 by Bob Brinker

Today, the U.S. Treasury announced the updated Series I and Series EE Savings Bond rates. Series EE savings bonds purchased between November 2009 and May 2010 will earn a 1.2% fixed rate.  Series I Bonds purchased between November 2009 and May 2010 will earn a 3.36% annualized composite rate. The I Bonds composite rate consists [...]

Comments Off | Filed under: General, Inflation, Public Debt, U.S. Savings Bonds, U.S. Treasury
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by Bob Brinker

The New York Times has a list of the major provisions in the most recent stimulus bill expected to be passed by the House and Senate on Friday. Here are a few key items: Income Tax credit of $400 for individuals / $800 married couples. Phases out on income over $75,000 for individuals / $150,000 [...]

Comments Off | Filed under: Ginnie Maes, Gross Domestic Product, Public Debt, Taxes
Posted on February 12th, 2009 by Bob Brinker

The Treasury Department announced another record quarterly refunding today. This surge in supply has forced some notable changes to the auction schedule. The Treasury will revive the 7-year note on a monthly basis. In addition, the Treasury will auction more 30-year bonds on a quarterly basis. Other ideas being considered for the future are introducing [...]

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Posted on February 4th, 2009 by Bob Brinker

The total public debt outstanding has been growing at an accelerating rate the past several months. As of February 2nd, the total public debt outstanding was $10,667,963,268,393.28 (yes, that is ten point six trillion dollars). The figures have become so big that most citizens cannot comprehend them. Another way to illustrate the recent increase in [...]

| Filed under: General, Public Debt, U.S. Treasury
Posted on February 4th, 2009 by Bob Brinker

A few sites are summarizing the bill… WSJ – via Nancy Pelosi’s office WSJ Summary Washington Post summary CNN has a current draft of the Bill in PDF form

| Filed under: Federal Reserve, General, Public Debt, U.S. Treasury
Posted on September 28th, 2008 by Bob Brinker