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The Two-Way
Economy Picked Up In First Quarter: Grew At 2.5 Percent Pace
April 26, 2013 Growth was a bit weaker than economists expected, but was well above fourth-quarter 2012's weak 0.4 percent increase. The first-quarter figure is likely to be revised in coming months, perhaps closer to the 3.2 percent growth economists were expecting.
The Two-Way
Slow But Better Than Thought: 4th Quarter GDP Revised Up Again
March 28, 2013 The economy grew at a 0.4 percent annual rate in the last three months of 2012, the government estimates. That's better than what economists initially reported.
The Two-Way
What Nations Were The Most Forward-Looking In 2012?
February 7, 2013 Germany was the world's most future-oriented country in 2012, followed by Switzerland and Japan, according to the "Future Orientation Index," which is based on Google searches. Scientists say the index is "strongly correlated" to economic health.
The Two-Way
Economy Shrank At 0.1 Percent Annual Rate In Fourth Quarter
January 30, 2013 The economy had not contracted in any quarter since the spring of 2009. Among the reasons why there wasn't growth in the last three months of 2012: steep cuts in defense spending.
The Two-Way
Third-Quarter Economic Growth Revised Upward
November 29, 2012 Gross domestic product grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate, the government says. Not only is that a sharp upward revision from the previous estimate, it's also growth at twice the rate of the second quarter.
The Two-Way
Economic Growth Picked Up Slightly In Third Quarter
October 26, 2012 The news is sure to be a hot topic on the campaign trail as President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney push to the Nov. 6 election.
The Two-Way
Economy Slowed Further In Second Quarter
July 27, 2012 The nation's gross domestic product grew at a 1.5 percent annual rate, the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates, down from a 2 percent pace in the first quarter.
Planet Money
How A Bloated Wall Street Can Hurt Growth
July 16, 2012 A too-big financial sector can cause chronic problems, especially for research-dependent industries, concludes an analysis by two economists.
The Two-Way
Jobless Claims Dip Only Slightly; First-Quarter GDP Estimate Unchanged
June 28, 2012 Neither of today's economic reports change the picture. They add to evidence of sluggish growth.
The Two-Way
Job Growth Slow, Jobless Claims Up, GDP Revised Down
May 31, 2012 The widely watched ADP National Employment Report says just 133,000 jobs were added to payrolls in May. Meanwhile, there were 10,000 more people applying for unemployment benefits last week.
Planet Money
The World's Richest Countries And Biggest Economies, In 2 Graphics
May 30, 2012 The U.S. is the world's biggest economy, but it's not the richest country. China is a huge world power, but it's still quite poor.
The Two-Way
Economy Grew At 2.2 Percent Rate In First Quarter
April 27, 2012 That's down from the 3 percent pace in fourth-quarter 2011, but is still better than the 1.7 percent growth for all of last year. And there was strong growth in consumer spending — a key driving force for the economy.
Planet Money
Why GDP Per Capita Can Start A Bar Fight
January 10, 2012 Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic Policy Research, explains why GDP per capita, the total GDP of a country divided by the number of people in the country, is such a controversial measure.
The Two-Way
Third Quarter Growth Estimate Revised Down Again, To 1.8 Percent
December 22, 2011 While that news points to a still sluggish economy, there's also word of another downward tick in first-time claims for jobless benefits — a welcome sign. Claims are running at their lowest level since the spring of 2008.
Planet Money
Why GDP Is Like GPA
October 28, 2011 It's an important indicator, but there's a lot it doesn't tell you.