Author: Ellen Le

Important signs of recovery are in retail sales and manufacturing growth.

What’s good when it comes to ice cream isn’t good economics.

Watch out for Ponzi schemes and other shenanigans.

Ellen answers questions about bonds and Social Security.

Technically the great recession ended a year ago and real economic growth, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), has recovered strongly from its mid 2009 trough. And yet the economy feels so fragile again and at risk of a U-turn into double-dip territory. In response the stock market has been on a roller coaster ride all quarter. Early in the quarter Greece’s debt…

Readers ask questions about investing in gold.

Quantitative models that forecast when and for how long a particular asset will hold its momentum rarely succeed.

Ellen responds to readers' questions