Economics for the Intelligent Amateur

US Markets

DJIA10611.84chart+44.51
NASDAQ2368.46chart+9.51
S&P 5001150.24chart+4.63
2010-03-11 16:02

Intl. Markets

FTSE5617.26chart-23.31
DAX5928.63chart-8.09
Nikkei10750.38chart+85.43
2010-03-11 11:35

Commodity Futures

Oil82.21chart+0.10
Gold1112.70chart+0.00
Copper2.95chart+0.03
2010-03-12 00:33

Treasury Yield

13 Weeks0.14chart+0.00
5 Year2.41chart+0.32
10 Year3.72chart+0.00
2010-03-11 14:59

Exchange Rates

JPY90.59chart+0.00
EUR0.73chart+0.00
GBP0.66chart+0.00
2010-03-12 00:32

Archive for May, 2009

We Bring You Discounts »

If you look to the right of this article, you will see our “Chatter Box”. These are random updates (brought to you by Twitter) we share with you to alleviate your lives during these hard economic times by means of discounts and sales at various stores. These are all verified legitimate stores with [...]

The Politics vs. Economics Showdown »

Most Economists, when asked, will have an idea of how we should proceed to get through this financial crisis and finish up on top (though these views will vary greatly from economist to economist). Most Politicians, on the other hand, will have reasons why each one cannot work. They will, however, pick and [...]

The Kind Agent Theory »

To talk about the Wisdom of Crowds sometimes seems like wasted energy. Despite its validity, when people think about crowds they tend to think of unruly groups of people counting on anonymity to resort to mob behavior, and the whole concept becomes a tough sell. Of course, the Wisdom of Crowds (and Dumb [...]

Visa Discounts, Coupons and Savings »

For those of you who like a good deal, we’d like to point out Visa’s Online Discount Shopping site. We like it for several reasons:

Since they’re all through Visa you can be sure they’re legit, and
You don’t need to book with your Visa card, or even own a Visa card, to get these discounts.

We also [...]

Made in the USA (or Anywhere else, for that Matter) »

Patricia Marx has an insightful article in the New Yorker (free registration may be required) about the availability of “Made in the USA” goods, or lack thereof.
Our favorite line:
However, at Dave’s New York a pair of Levi’s boot-cuts hails from Cambodia and a pair of Carhartt jeans was assembled in Mexico “with U.S. components”. “It’s [...]