Economy-watchers have marked their calendars for Friday, January 29. That's when the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases Q4 figures for Gross Domestic Product (GDP), along with the first estimate for GDP growth for the year 2009. The updated W. P.

Climate change — and what to do about it — has been center stage recently.

While expectations are growing for a better year in 2010, analysts are still sifting through the economic ashes of 2009 as figures become available. Personal income in 2009 probably declined nationally.

Consider all of the many ways in which information contributes to the functioning of the economy. Investors need it to assess the quality of the issuers of stocks and bonds. Employers want it to evaluate potential employees.

Three Western states were the nation's fastest growing in 2009, according to new population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The total number of residents in Wyoming, Utah and Texas increased by 2 percent or more, a pace double that of the U.S. as a whole.

A comprehensive discussion of health care reform would include three issues, according to Stephen Shortell, dean of the School of Public Health at the University of California-Berkeley.

As expected, the third quarter rise in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised downward by the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, from 3.5 percent growth to 2.8 percent in late November. And it is likely that the next look (on December 22) will bring yet another downward revision.

Real estate experts are watching for signs that the Phoenix market is returning to normal. Activity slowed a bit in November — a hopeful sign because it is consistent with seasonal norms. But the market is still feverish.

The 'Great Recession' may be over, but like a hurricane that has battered a coastal city, the wreckage left behind will take years to fix.

Anthony Chan is a cautious optimist. He is optimistic that the equity markets will continue to improve in 2010. But he's cautious, too — because the same level of improvement won't be felt on Main Street.