The rebound of labor productivity in the second quarter is another sign of why the economy will continue to be on strong footing despite growing concerns over a labor market slowdown. The second quarter’s labor productivity growth was 2.3%, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Not only did the ... READ MORE >
productivity
Solow Residual: Total factor productivity and the U.S. economy
For decades, the productivity of American workers seemed stuck. No matter how hard people worked, or how much was invested, productivity, except for a few years, never seemed to move much. That may be changing. Last year, American productivity improved by 2.7%, and gained steam in the second half ... READ MORE >
Productivity continues to rise in potential game changer for economy
Paul Krugman, the Nobel laureate in economics, once said that “productivity is not everything, but in the long run it’s almost everything.” The increase in American productivity over the past year, if sustained, is a potential game changer for the economy that represents that mythical rising tide ... READ MORE >
Uncertainty, policy choices and the prospects for middle market investment
Stubbornly high inflation and rising interest rates are creating a pervasive sense of uncertainty among business owners and investors that has left policymakers with few good options. But with the right targeted measures that encourage businesses to make productivity-enhancing investments, ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Increase in productivity can’t mask need for long-term miracle
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released third-quarter productivity data that reinforced our view that a recovery from the depths of the economic shutdown is indeed underway. Still, these are unusual times, and the untethered increases in quarterly data can mask underlying issues that are yet ... READ MORE >
In the long run, U.S. needs a productivity miracle
The Congressional Budget Office this week published its long-term budget outlook for 2020. Not surprisingly, its forecast of a 107% debt-to-GDP ratio in 2023 rising to 195% in 2050 garnered all of the attention. But beneath the headline are significant policy challenges facing the U.S. ... READ MORE >