Region Focus Weekly Update - Archive - Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Weekly Update 2008 Archives

A weekly look at the economics behind the headlines.

June 11, 2008 — The Big Squeeze

Declines in the federal funds rate have started to strain the bottom line of community banks

June 4, 2008 — Rational Real Estate

Why home sellers might be smarter than some economists think they are

May 28, 2008 — The Monopolist Next Door

As banking markets change with the times, shouldn't antitrust analysis change, too?

May 21, 2008 — Chemistry's Competitive Edge

Overseas demand bolsters West Virginia chemical firms, helping to counter mounting costs

May 14, 2008 — A No-Brainer?

The link between financial education and money management isn't clear, but new research may change that

May 7, 2008 — Will the Stimulus Stimulate?

Economists may not expect households to spend their tax rebates, but recent research says otherwise

April 30, 2008 — Creative Destruction

How banks have adapted to changes in capital markets, and why they need to keep adapting

April 23, 2008 — Shifting Supply Chain

Fifth District ports have had to adjust to fewer imports and more exports

April 16, 2008 — Blizzard Warning

A lawsuit against International Dairy Queen illustrates the conflicts inherent in franchising, a business model that also yields economic benefits

April 9, 2008 — Exporting Higher Ed

Fifth District universities are establishing branch campuses around the world

April 2, 2008 — Gateway to Academia

Has Virginia improved higher education by requiring state universities to admit community college transfers?

March 26, 2008 — Pork over a Barrel

Hog producers are squeezed by rising ethanol production and higher grain prices

March 19, 2008 — Crab Rehab

New rules are on the horizon for the blue crab fishery in the Chesapeake Bay

March 12, 2008 — Emission Contrition

Offsetting "carbon footprints" is more complicated than you might think

March 5, 2008 — Gas and Groceries

Why higher gas prices might mean more crowded aisles at the grocery store

February 27, 2008 —Art of Investing

A Virginia college becomes part of the longstanding debate over the value of art

February 20, 2008 — Delayed Reaction

A balance between economic growth and residential development has helped Charlotte's housing market escape the doldrums. Until now.

February 13, 2008 — First Movers

A nongovernmental organization leads the way in offering inexpensive laptops to developing countries

February 6, 2008 — Green for Grades

Virginia and Maryland schools experiment with financial incentives for academic achievement

January 30, 2008 —Vocabulary Lesson

Housing slide not just a subprime phenomenon

January 23, 2008 — Economics Circles

A Q&A with the new vice president of the American Economic Association

January 16, 2008 — Bright Idea?

Compact fluorescent lights may not cut carbon as much as predicted

January 9, 2008 — Single Smokes

Conglomerates are shedding cigarette units like they're going out of style