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How the Shipping Container Shaped Global Trade over the Past 50 Years

How the Shipping Container Shaped Global Trade over the Past 50 Years

The shipping container may have triggered an international trade escalation. Might newer technology turn the U.S.’s trade deficit around?
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Does the National Debt Matter?

Does the National Debt Matter?

Although the national debt has grown exponentially over the past 12 years, causing concern for many, it does have its uses.
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How Do Coins Get to Where They’re Needed?

How Do Coins Get to Where They’re Needed?

Federal Reserve banks work with the U.S. Mint, commercial banks and others to keep coins moving through the economy.
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The Economics of Legalizing Marijuana

The Economics of Legalizing Marijuana

States are facing complex decisions on how to regulate marijuana. As more of them decide to legalize cannabis, economics comes into play.
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The Changing Relationship between Trade and America’s Gold Reserves

The Changing Relationship between Trade and America’s Gold Reserves

For much of U.S. history, gold reserves and the trade balance were closely linked. That changed with the end of the gold standard.
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Are Millennials a Lost Generation Financially?

Are Millennials a Lost Generation Financially?

Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. and make up the majority of the workforce. Yet, their wealth is much lower than we…
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New Payments Technologies Seen Bringing Efficiency and Disruption

New Payments Technologies Seen Bringing Efficiency and Disruption

How are digital technologies starting to transform the payments and banking systems?
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What Wealth Inequality in America Looks Like

What Wealth Inequality in America Looks Like

Who’s getting left behind, and by how much?
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Yield Curve Inversions and Foreign Economies

Yield Curve Inversions and Foreign Economies

Over the past 50 years, every U.S. recession was preceded by a yield curve inversion. Does the relationship also hold for other countries?
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Industry Mix May Help Explain Urban-Rural Divide in Economic Growth

Industry Mix May Help Explain Urban-Rural Divide in Economic Growth

Economic growth in U.S. rural areas may be slower than growth in urban areas because of a different industry mix.
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Accounting for Age: The Financial Health of Millennials

Accounting for Age: The Financial Health of Millennials

In terms of net worth, millennials have lagged behind Gen Xers of a comparable age.
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Predicting Recessions: Which Signals Are More Accurate?

Predicting Recessions: Which Signals Are More Accurate?

How accurate are yield curve inversions and declines in housing starts in predicting recessions?
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Understanding the Roots of the U.S. Trade Deficit

Understanding the Roots of the U.S. Trade Deficit

The role of the U.S. dollar as an international reserve currency has helped finance domestic consumption of imported goods.
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Why the Fed Targets a 2% Inflation Rate

Why the Fed Targets a 2% Inflation Rate

The FOMC targets an inflation rate of 2%. What does it mean to have an inflation target? And why target a positive number and not zero?
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Why the Fed Should Create a Standing Repo Facility

Why the Fed Should Create a Standing Repo Facility

The Fed could incentivize banks to reduce reserve demand with a standing overnight repo facility.
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