Healthcare Reforms Keep 2.5 Million Young Adults C...

U.S. healthcare reforms under the Affordable Care Act supported and authorized by President Barack Obama in 2010 keeps young adults insured. The biggest U.S. health reform in 50 years aims to make medical insurance available to over 30 million Americans. In September, the law has allowed children through age 26 to join or remain covered under their parents’ health coverage. This announcement made on Wednesday means...

Innovations Brought Upon in the Gift Card Industry

Receiving gift cards this holiday season will become more exciting as retailers and companies make them more appealing. Not only designs but also to make users spend the whole amount on the card. Over 80% of shoppers are seen to purchase gift cards compared to last year’s 77.3%. The National Retail Federation expects an increase from last year’s average spending of $145.61 to $155.43, and to reach $27.8 billion, the...

Charity Stays at Home this Holiday Season

David Moskowitz made a promise to donate 10% of his annual income to charity and has been consistently doing so for 2 years now. Recently, however, the rise of Occupy Wall Street and the foreclosure of a laid off neighbor’s home had him reconsidering. He believes he’d be missing the point if he didn’t give more to a local jobs training program. He, the Occupy movement and the rising poverty are swaying this holiday...

Europe’s Debt Crisis Causes Brent Oil Dip to Zero...

The fear of feeble oil demand due to concerns over Europe’s growing debt woes and disputes on how to address the problem elevated borrowing costs. This weakened Brent crude on Friday as well as U.S. crude, both on their 2nd week of losses. Now on its 7th week of losses, euro against the dollar was also weak intraday. Wall Street’s slightly up equities lifted U.S. oil briefly but stocks fell finishing low for 7 straight...

Heavy U.S. and Europe Debts Cause 4th day of Sell-...

The uncertainty over U.S. and Europe debts sapped investor confidence causing a 4th day of weak stocks. Shares of industrial and energy fell with volumes lower than average and sparked a sell-off. U.S. congressional committee co-chairs said there is still a failure to reach deficit-reducing deals. KeyBanc Capital Markets’ Kevin Kruszenski said the situation adds to the overall malaise but it is not something unexpected. Dow...

Real Estate: Why home prices won’t bottom ou...

The U.S. home market is yet to fully start recovering. Problems continue to pressure it despite ten real estate markets leading the path towards general recovery and stability said the National Association of Realtors. The slow economic recovery resulted to new defaults and foreclosures after 5 continued quarterly drops. October foreclosures went 14% higher from 2nd to 3rd quarter, said Realtytrac. It may not be like the...

Growth Outlook Strengthened by Jobs, Housing Data

The economy showed strong trending as new U.S. joblessness claims were at a 7th month low last week. Home construction in October was also strong although Mid-Atlantic region factory activity paced slower on weak orders. Still, employment rose and working hours were increased. Naroff Economic Advisors’ Joel Naroff said that economic conditions are accelerating at an upward movement. But he added that 2 major roadblocks,...

Poor Rate Actually Higher at 49 Million Said Lates...

The Census Bureau reported a higher number of poverty rates for the elderly, Asians and Hispanics. It has hit a record 49 million in 2010, higher by 16%. This contradicts the September official data that said the number of poor Americans was at 46.2 million. People aged 65 and up contributed the highest percentage at 15.9% as they are badly affected by Medicare’s out-of-pocket medical expenses and co-pays. The official...