Jobs seen boosting hopes of an economic revival

July 5th, 2011

– U.S. companies probably stepped up hiring in June as the economy recovers from a stumble in recent months, although job growth is not expected to be strong enough to eat into high unemployment.

Nonfarm payrolls are seen having risen by 90,000, according to a Reuters survey conducted last week. In May, employment rose a paltry 54,000.

Many economists raised their forecasts on Thursday after a stronger-than-expected reading on U.S. private hiring from payrolls processor ADP, and they now expect gains of anywhere between 125,000 and 175,000.

The private sector will account for all the jobs created, as has been the trend over the last seven months, with layoffs at state and local governments continuing.

Nonetheless, the jobless rate, which is derived from a separate survey of households, is expected to hold steady at 9.1 percent.

The Labor Department will release its closely watched employment report at 8:30 a.m.

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Buttonwood: Queasy feeling

July 5th, 2011

THE cavalry may not ride to the rescue this time. Equity investors have been relying on the Federal Reserve for support ever since the American central bank presaged a second round of quantitative easing (QE) last August.

In a November article for the Washington Post, Ben Bernanke, the Fed’s chairman, acknowledged the impact of QE on shares, stating that “higher stock prices will boost consumer wealth and help increase confidence, which can also spur spending. Increased spending will lead to higher incomes and profits that, in a virtuous circle, will further support economic expansion.” But with the current round of QE about to end, Mr Bernanke gave no hint that a third programme was on its way in a keenly awaited speech this week, acknowledging merely that “economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal-funds rate for an extended period.”

The speech was a further disappointment for global stockmarkets, which have been declining fairly steadily since early May. Indeed, t

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Mark Martin: My Office Ends Fiscal Year $3.2M Under Budget

July 4th, 2011

LITTLE ROCK – An Arkansas official who has faced criticism for spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on consultants and a car for his office says he ended the 2011 fiscal year more than $3 million under budget.

Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office said in a statement Tuesday that it was $3.2 million under operating budget when the last fiscal year ended Thursday.

Martin says the savings could be used to prevent cuts in the foster care program or could contribute to a future tax cut if lawmakers and the governor so choose.

Martin, a newly elected Republican, has been the target of criticism after he bought a $27,000 car for use in redistricting and shelled out another $54,000 on a consulting contract that promised “values-based strategic planning.”

Tags: Fiscal Year, Year

Home Modification Plan:Things To Know

July 4th, 2011

Many people fail to pay home loan on time, so they end-up with foreclosures and consequently go into the list of defaulters. It can be really devastating for them as they are deprived of their dwelling and it’s hard to find another place instantly. For all such distressed persons who fear to be unable to pay their home loans on time, there is a good option that’s called loan modification.

What is loan modification?

It’s basically a modified payment plan for the loan , that the borrower has been unable to repay on long-term basis. It:

  1. reduces interest rate on the loan
  2. extends the term of the loan
  3. offers a different type of loan

The plan may involve any one of the above option of three of them in combination. Lende

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Tags: Home, Home Modification