Peter Morici
Columns by Peter Morici
Three lessons of COVID shockflation
Federal Reserve policymakers shouldn't lower their guard. Inflation isn't dead. Published October 22, 2024
Federal Reserve may not reach its 2% inflation target
The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates moved markets. The next day, major stock indexes surged to record highs. Published October 15, 2024
Whether it’s Trump or Harris, Americans will get populist economics
Whether voters choose former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election, the economy will be altered by forces beyond either's control or brand of populism. Published October 8, 2024
Fed Chairman Powell is rolling the dice on our economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has decided the economy needs easy money again and is betting that inflation will soon die. Published October 1, 2024
American sovereign wealth fund needs independent management
President Biden and former President Donald Trump don't agree about much. Still, both are intrigued by the idea of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund similar to those of Norway, Saudi Arabia and China. Published September 24, 2024
Intel’s woes deliver a gut punch to Biden’s semiconductor policy
President Biden's industrial policies to revitalize domestic manufacturing and meet Chinese competition in Artificial Intelligence recently took a gut punch. Published September 17, 2024
How to achieve financial security and a comfortable retirement
Living well, investing in educating yourself, assisting your children and enjoying retirement often seem like competing goals. Published September 10, 2024
How to impose Trump’s tariffs on China without harming consumers
President Biden is correct to focus the nation's economic and strategic resources on China as the pacing challenge to our security and prosperity. Published September 3, 2024
Dollar is strong because America is strong
Populists love to rail against globalization for destroying American jobs in once-thriving manufacturing communities. And the strong dollar is a convenient vehicle for former President Donald Trump to animate this frustration. Published August 27, 2024
Trump’s populism is not unique, won’t deliver enduring prosperity
The nation's elites have failed ordinary Americans with high inflation and stagnant incomes. Published August 20, 2024
College still pays, but most universities need a good housecleaning
America's universities -- and employers offering the best opportunities to graduates -- need a reality check. Published August 13, 2024
FTC banning noncompete agreements boosts employees, economic growth
Nothing brings out business caterwauling like a sweeping new government regulation. The party-line Federal Trade Commission vote to ban most no-compete agreements in employment was no exception. Published August 6, 2024
Biden to leave next president with budget, security headaches
President Biden's legacy is mixed. Only a handful of his predecessors could boast his range of legislative accomplishments, but he will leave the nation in perilous condition. Published July 30, 2024
Federal Reserve shouldn’t rush to cut interest rates
Inflation has improved lately, and investors are optimistic that the Federal Reserve will soon lower interest rates. Whether that's prudent comes down to three questions. Published July 23, 2024
Investors fear Trump presidency will boost inflation, interest rates
President Biden's disastrous performance debating former President Donald Trump last month set off panic among Democrats to rescue his candidacy or replace him. Published July 16, 2024
Billionaires rushing to support Trump may be disappointed
Billionaires are flocking to support former President Donald Trump's campaign. Perhaps they believe the benefits of lower taxes and less aggressive regulation outweigh his behavioral transgressions. Published July 9, 2024
With election in sight, U.S. economy faces bumpy landing
The economy will dodge a recession, but it won't be a soft landing -- a steady growth path with inflation at about 2%. Published July 2, 2024
Americans pay a price for Federal Reserve’s procrastination
Investors, homebuyers and others needing credit hang to news about inflation and employment, looking for cues about when the Federal Reserve will start lowering interest rates. Published June 25, 2024
Federal Reserve may have to abandon its 2% inflation target
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has Fed policymakers and America's decision-makers --businesses that set prices and households who choose among goods to purchase and investment options -- focused on how much longer interest rates must be kept elevated to achieve 2% inflation. Published June 18, 2024
Biden’s free spending risks dollar’s global status
The United States prints the world's gold, and that bestows a huge privilege. Published June 11, 2024