Archive for July, 2008

Global slowdown may put U.S. in recession: Greenspan (Reuters)

Former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan speaks at the Per Jacobsson Foundation Lecture on the 'Balance of Payments Imbalances' at the International Financial Corporation in Washington October 21, 2007. (Yuri Gripas/Reuters)Reuters – Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan
Greenspan said on Thursday that a slowing global economy may
push the United States into recession, though it is not yet in
one.

Dow and S&P fall on Exxon and weak economic data (Reuters)

Trading specialists work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange, July 16, 2008. (Chip East/Reuters)Reuters – Stocks fell on Thursday, led by Exxon
Mobil after its earnings fell short of Wall Street’s
expectations and as disappointing economic data revived fears
of a U.S. recession.

Data quirk blamed for U.S. jobless claims spike (Reuters)

Reuters – A new law extending the number of
weeks unemployed U.S. workers can collect jobless benefits may
cause initial filings for aid to overstate labor market
weakness over the next several weeks.

S&P cuts Big Three carmaker ratings lower into junk (Reuters)

General Motors SUV's are displayed in an autosales lot in Troy, Michigan June 3, 2008. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)Reuters – Standard & Poor’s on Thursday cut
ratings on all three major U.S. automakers deeper into junk
status, citing expected losses due to higher gas prices and a
weakening U.S. economy.

Company bankruptcies may top 100 next year: Bain (Reuters)

Defendant Salim Hamdan attends his trial inside the war crimes courthouse at Camp Justice, the legal complex of the U.S. Military Commissions, at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in this photograph of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin, reviewed by the U.S. Military, July 22, 2008. (Janet Hamlin/Pool/Reuters)Reuters – Corporate bond defaults are on track
to quadruple this year and company bankruptcies may soar to
more than 100 in 2009, a senior Bain & Co consultant said on
Thursday.