I’m channeling Ron Burgandy this morning — I want to shout it from a mountaintop, but I don’t have a mountaintop, I have a blog. The top story in Scott Jagow’s world is: North Carolina trounces Michigan State. Other stuff that caught my eye…
Economy Falling Years Behind Full Speed (New York Times)
“As the recession grinds on, more and more of the nation’s means of production — its workers, its factories, its retail outlets, its freight lines, its bank lending, even its new inventions — are being mothballed.”
Lights At The End Of The Economy Tunnel (Clusterstock)
“There are indeed some signs that the worst might be over for the economy. Which is why the violent rally in the stock market isn’t obviously a sucker’s rally.”
In Defense of Derivatives (WSJ)
“From the perspective of Main Street companies, derivatives are not just about high finance, quants and politics, but about investing in America’s core industries, jobs and economic recovery. Companies find that over-the-counter derivatives are essential to their day-to-day operations.”
U.S. loses almost $1 trillion in first half of fiscal year (24/7 Wall Street)
“According to the Congressional Budget Office, the U.S. government lost $953 billion in the first half of its fiscal year, which ended in March. If trouble with the economy deepens, that number may get much bigger than the Administration or CBO forecast.”
How Competition Saved New York (NYT Economix Blog)
“Only two of the nation’s 10 largest cities have more people today than they have in 1950: New York and Los Angeles. The growth of Los Angeles is no puzzle. The city practically defines sun and sprawl, which are two of the biggest correlates of population growth in the postwar era. The puzzle is New York City, which — alone among the country’s older, colder cities — has managed to grow.”
Art prices fall 35% as collectors cash in (Financial Times)
“The decline accelerated as people who lost money in the financial crisis, including victims of the Madoff fraud, put up works for sale, often at a loss, several art world insiders said.”
Now Available At iTunes: Price Hikes For Music (Media Memo)
“Apple has finally rolled out the “flexible pricing” plan it announced earlier this year at its music store. If you’re a casual music consumer, and that phrase doesn’t mean anything to you, let me rephrase it: Many of your favorite songs will now cost 30% more at iTunes.”
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