Cowboy Economics News - September 2008 Archives

Financial risk-taking behavior is associated with higher testosterone levels (9/30/2008)

Males with testosterone levels above the mean invest more during a risky investment game ...> Full Article

Government should lift shroud over bailout plan, expert says (9/29/2008)

Americans deserve more than just vague warnings of economic doom before their tax dollars are poured into a massive $700 billion rescue of Wall Street ...> Full Article

Economist's Model Forecasted Current Economic Slowdown One Year In Advance (9/26/2008)

An economist says that a model he developed forecasted the current economic slowdown at least one year before it became apparent to most observers ...> Full Article

Expert Warns of a Conflict of Interest If Bailout Is Implemented (9/25/2008)

Expert warns that although the bailout is necessary to restore confidence and liquidity to the markets, taxpayers should pay careful attention to any conflict of interest when the bailout is implemented. ...> Full Article

Ban on betting would boost ailing economy, gambling critic says (9/24/2008)

Congress should resurrect the nationwide gambling ban that existed through most of the 20th century to help soothe a fragile U.S. economy shaken by the worst credit and financial crisis in decades ...> Full Article

Rising fuel and energy prices take their toll on business (9/22/2008)

Almost three-quarters of smaller businesses have been badly hit by spiralling fuel and energy prices ...> Full Article

Depression-era failings behind recent Wall Street bailouts, expert says (9/20/2008)

Lessons from the Great Depression are likely guiding an unprecedented wave of government bailouts now propping up American International Group Inc. and other cash-strapped financial firms ...> Full Article

Expert says gas prices should level off after refineries survived Ike (9/19/2008)

Pump prices will likely stabilize again now that U.S. refineries apparently ducked a production-crippling blow ...> Full Article

Economist Warns Future Generations May Be Worse Off Than Past (9/18/2008)

For the first time in America's recent history, future generations may be worse off economically than their parents ...> Full Article

Consumers think differently about close and distant purchases (9/17/2008)

If you are deciding on a major vacation for next year, you'll use different criteria than if you are planning a trip this weekend ...> Full Article

New study says high grain prices are likely here to stay (9/16/2008)

An ethanol-fueled spike in grain prices will likely hold, yielding the first sustained increase for corn, wheat and soybean prices in more than three decades ...> Full Article

Forecasts: Weak growth plagues western states (9/15/2008)

Economic forecasters report more job losses and weak growth for the western United States ...> Full Article

Global CFO Survey: Economy Struggling, but Bottoming Out (9/12/2008)

More layoffs and meager capital investment expected until turnaround in summer 2009 ...> Full Article

Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae bailout only a stopgap (9/11/2008)

A government bailout of mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is only a bandage for the nation's troubled financial and housing sectors ...> Full Article

Firms with High Analyst Coverage Engage in Excessive External Financing & Capital Spending (9/10/2008)

A new study explored whether abnormal analyst coverage influences the extent to which companies raise funds from external sources (e.g., issue bonds or sell stock) and the amount of new investments firms decide to undertake. ...> Full Article

CEOs Hired From Outside A Firm are More Likely to Be Dismissed (9/9/2008)

A new study reveals that Boards of Directors commonly make mistakes in CEO appointments when they hire CEOs from outside the firm ...> Full Article

How you spend affects how much you spend: Non-cash purchases found to be higher than cash buys (9/8/2008)

Itemizing estimated expenses also curbs spending ...> Full Article

Individual economic troubles pose the largest threat to Florida tourism (9/7/2008)

Despite rising airline ticket prices, scorching temperatures, terrorism worries and the ever-looming threat of hurricanes, out-of-state tourists are still lining up to fly to the Sunshine State �" if they can find the money, that is. ...> Full Article

Financial Leaders Convening For Global Summit Sept. 8 thru 9 (9/6/2008)

The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia will host The New Financial Architecture: A Global Summit, the inaugural Mortimer Caplin Conference on the World Economy, on Sept 8 and 9. ...> Full Article

Designing Solutions for Problems of 'Predatory Lending' First Requires Understanding When It Exists (9/6/2008)

Without a clear and legal definition of what predatory lending is, no one can quantify its true prevalence, and public policy can't assess what would be effective measures against it. ...> Full Article

New guide explores making the most of Social Security (9/5/2008)

Many older Americans may be shortchanging their golden years by tapping into Social Security too soon ...> Full Article

Mid-America Economy Grows Slightly, but with Job Losses (9/4/2008)

Region loses jobs for the seventh time in eight months. While economic confidence bounced to highest level in almost a year. Inflation gauge dips, but continues to indicate excessive inflation. ...> Full Article

Wall Street, Washington Wading In Murky Waters Through 2008 (9/3/2008)

America still need something to pull it out of advancing debt, impending inflation, or continued recession ...> Full Article

How Temporary Help Agencies Impact the Labor Market (9/1/2008)

Temporary help agencies place nearly 3 million Americans in jobs each day -- but the temp industry's very success may embolden some managers to view all workers as impermanent ...> Full Article