Economy

The recent global buying frenzy has been fueled by relatively low interest rates on the Japanese yen. Consultant Roger Bootle says the downward turn in stocks could get worse if that flow of cash gets scarce.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson believes the tax burden on businesses is driving some companies away. Critics say closing tax code loopholes benefitting well-connected industries is a better move. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Funding for a little-known program helping workers who lose their jobs to overseas competition is being held hostage by GOP backers of presidential fast-track trade authority. Chris Farrell explains the controversy.

One working-class neighborhood in Cleveland saw 400 foreclosures last year. But critics say the home lending crisis is only now making headlines because it's shaking up Wall Street. Steve Henn reports.

With many farmers rushing to grow corn to fill a growing market for ethanol for cars, wheat supplies are the lowest in a generation. And U.S. farmers are sitting in the catbird seat. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Corn was likely first cultivated in Mexico and it still has a central part of the culture. But genetically modified strains simply produce more corn per acre, and there's a hungry nation to feed. Dan Grech reports.

More than 11 million cargo ships unload in U.S. ports every year. A new proposal would have each container inspected and scanned. But just how practical is that, and who would scan the data? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

A new poll finds that consumers on both sides of the Atlantic feel their lifestyles are threatened by cheap labor in China and India. Well-heeled executives should pay more taxes, too. Stephen Beard reports.

Fed chief Ben Bernanke told Congress today that core inflation shows signs of increasing, the Gross Domestic Product isn't looking so hot and, oh yes, there's that subprime mortgage thing.

The Commerce Department said June retail sales posted their steepest drop in nearly two years compared to May. Yet, at the same time, consumers said they're more optimistic about the economy and their pocketbooks. Jill Barshay sorts it out.