archive
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.
Planet Money
What Is GDP?
October 27, 2011 How do you measure the whole economy in one number? In the first of a series of videos we're doing with Slate, Adam Davidson goes shopping with economist Simon Johnson to find out the answer.
The Two-Way
Jobless Claims Dip, GDP Growth Revised Up Slightly
September 29, 2011 The economy's growth was slow, but slightly better than previously thought. And unemployment insurance claims dipped last week to their lowest level since early April.
The Two-Way
Economy Grew At 1 Percent Rate In Second Quarter
August 26, 2011 That's slightly less than the last estimate and well below the level associated with a healthy economy. The government says exports and inventories expanded less than it previously thought.
