Anna Prior. September 5, 2012. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443991704577578860843781548.html?mod=WSJ_RetirementPlanning_RetirementPlanning_2
Social security
The purpose of Anna Prior’s article was to talk about how people can plan well with their investments so as to have adequate streams of income when they retire. A report says that approximately 44% of ‘generation x will not have enough to sustain them through retirement life. This is because of such factors as taxes and interest rates which are expected to go up, as well as many other uncertainties. Prior proposes that the following measures could help one live through retirement with enough income stream; setting aside a portfolio that will cater only necessities, covering against longevity risk by taking long term care insurance, investing in intermediate term bonds, investing in diverse portfolio and managing volatility. This article is very helpful to people nearing retirement age because it offers free and important advice.
English Commuters Rue Stronger Inflation
Nicholas Winning. August 14, 2012. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2012/08/14/english-commuters-rue-stronger-inflation/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_source_blog
Inflation
The purpose of this article was to expose the level of inflation in UK in recent months, and how it has affected commuters. The article explains that commuters have suffered the effect of inflation through payment of higher commuter fees. This is especially true for the rail system where fares have been adjusted upwards by up 3.2 %. This is a jump from the 2.8 % experienced in July. This article further explains the justification given by the government to raise fares. The government sees it important to invest in the rail system, and the only way to keep on investing in this sector is by increasing fares to compensate for the expensive materials needed. The article also explains how commuters have reacted to this, saying that demonstrations have been held to oppose this fare hikes. The article clearly shows how inflation has affected even the transport sector and is passed on to the consumer.
Romney Says Fed Moves Have Had Little Impact
Damian Paletta and Jon Hilsenrath. September 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/09/07/romney-says-fed-moves-have-had-little-impact/
Federal Reserve
The US election campaigns have kicked in and the democrats and republicans, as expected, tear into each other’s policies. This article reports on how the republican presidential aspirant Mitt Romney views the monetary policy measures taken by the Obama administration. The article also explains how the Federal Reserve sometimes comes under political pressure, citing 1992 as one instance, when then president George. H. W. Bush wanted faster cuts in interest rates. The article shows how the ruling party has its hands tied at the back on this matter as it has to stay silent to show that it is not influencing the Federal Reserve.
Iran Oil Exports Fall, Embassy Shut
Tennille Tracy and Paul Vieira. September 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577637743226236760.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read
Foreign Economic Issues
This article by Tracy and Vieira puts into perspective the growing tension between Iran and Western powers USA, UK and Canada. These three countries have imposed sanctions on Iran on the back of its nuclear program and threats to Israel. Some of the sanctions include asking countries not to import Iran’s oil. This significantly cuts down Iran’s revenue. Canada has also shut up its embassy in Iran and also expelled Iran’s diplomats in Canada. The article also indicates that Iran is trying to lure countries to keep purchasing its oil, through offering lower prices. The article finally gives further evidence to the notion that USA cannot get China to be on its side when it comes to matters that affect China’s economy- China is the largest importer of Iran’s oil.
Why Did the Unemployment Rate Drop?
Phil Izzo. September 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/09/07/why-did-the-unemployment-rate-drop-8/
Unemployment
This article explains recent unemployment figures in the US. The month of August recorded a drop in the unemployment rate, this even with a drop in the number of jobs created. The article therefore explains this occurrence, citing a drop in the number of people actively seeking jobs and increasing number of baby-boomers. This article shows that it is not only creation of more jobs that can cause a drop in the unemployment rate.
References
Izzo, P. (2012, September 7). Why Did the Unemployment Rate Drop? Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/09/07/why-did-the-unemployment-rate-drop-8/
Paletta, D & Hilsenrath, J. (2012, September 7). Romney Says Fed Moves Have Had Little
Impact. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/09/07/romney-says-fed-moves-have-had-little-impact/
Prior, A. (2012 ,September 5). Making Your Retirement Assets Last. Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443991704577578860843781548.html?mod=WSJ_RetirementPlanning_RetirementPlanning_2
Tracy, T & Vieira, P. (2012,September 7). Iran Oil Exports Fall, Embassy Shut. Wall Street
Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443589304577637743226236760.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read
Winning, N (2012, August 14). English Commuters Rue Stronger Inflation. Wall Street Journal.
Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/source/2012/08/14/english-commuters-rue-stronger-inflation/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_source_blog
