Business/Economy
Credit Default Swaps (CDS)
For many of you, today’s topic might not be the most exciting one of the year, so if you want to pass this one by and continue watching the Olympics, I understand. For the rest, I’ve got a topic you need to understand.
Greece’s economy is crumbling, and many other countries are trying to stay fiscally [...]
Explaining Consumer Confidence
Stories about consumer confidence being at its lowest level in 10 months are being published in business papers and websites this morning. We all know what that means, but do any of us really know how “they” decide how “we” are feeling about things?
Similar to the Nielsen ratings, which track a minute percentage of the [...]
Pigs, Bricks, and Spiders (or PIIGS, BRIC, & SPDR)
America is not the only country suffering through a financial crisis, and this time around, Greece is making headlines. Due to soaring debt and fear of government default in Greece, the European Union is meeting in Brussels to discuss potential solutions. As you read about Europe’s problems, you are likely to stumble upon the acronym [...]
Bond Ratings
Moody’s Investor Services is in the news for threatening to lower the bond rating on U.S. debt to something other than AAA (or Aaa, as Moody’s designates it). Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) are the two most well known credit rating agencies, and bond ratings refer to the estimated risk of a debt issue.
AAA is [...]
What’s going on with Toyota?
By now, you’ve heard of the various recalls by Toyota attempting to fix “sticky” gas pedals which have led to numerous cases of sudden acceleration. Toyota’s story has changed over the months, so here’s a quick recap so you can inform your friend with the RAV41 why she needs to bring her car to the [...]
What is a growing economy?
News stories are touting that the U.S. economy expanded in the 4th quarter of 2009 at a pace faster than any quarter in six years. All told, the economy grew at a rate of 5.7%. But what does that mean?
The rate increase refers to the increase of Gross Domestic Product. Not sure what Gross Domestic [...]
Google Phone
Last week, Google released their own phone called the Nexus One, although many people just call it the “Google Phone.” Why is yet another smart phone a worthy subject? Because Google is selling the phone directly, like Apple does with the iPhone.
BUT, Google attempts to take things one step further by offering an “unlocked” version [...]
Tallest Building Ever! For Now.
No need to worry about the silly debate about the tallest building and if antennas should count or not. You can rest easy now, Taipei 101 and Willis Tower – there’s a new champ in town.
Measuring in at a whopping 2,717 feet tall and comprising 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is unquestionably the [...]
