Well now those greedy, market-destabilizing, market-manipulating speculators have changed course, and they’re now driving gasoline futures prices down, see chart above from the CME.  From today’s WSJ: “U.S. gasoline-futures prices have dropped 16 cents a gallon over the past eight … read more >

1. US Steel Posts Q1 Profit on Lower Natural Gas Prices, Higher Steel Prices, Strong Sales from Auto and Oil Industries.  2. Economic Optimism Increases Across Minnesota as 40% of Businesses Plan Increased Hiring in Q2 2012, Up from 39% … read more >

Nobel economist Gary Becker on why special treatment for manufacturing is misguided: “U.S. President Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address, advocated special tax breaks and support for the manufacturing sector. I do not see any more convincing … read more >

I’ve written extensively over the last several years about how the shale gas revolution is transforming the U.S. economy in ways that would have been unimaginable a decade ago.  Descriptions of this revolution include: Mort Zuckerman: “The good news is … read more >

Despite rising gas prices this year, overall traffic volume increased in both January by 1.6% and in February by 1.8%, compared to year-earlier levels, according to data released this week by the Federal Highway Administration. The 1.8% increase in February … read more >