The search giant bought Nest, the home automation startup with smart thermostats and smart smoke detectors that are found in homes around the world. It signals a tipping point for "the Internet of things."

Developing solutions through research by Lisa Sturtevant, Ph.D., Center for Housing Policy The housing statistic for 2014 is 25%. The Center for Housing Policy will release its annual Housing Landscape report in February, which will show that more than 25% of low- and moderate-income renters in the U.S. spend more than half of their income on housing costs. These are renting households with members who work at least 20 hours per week and have household incomes of no more than 120% of area median income. These are child care workers and librarians, restaurant workers and janitorial staff, customer service representatives and administrative assistants. These are the workers who serve the residents in our communities and work for the businesses that drive our local economies. Even as economic conditions improve and the housing market recovers, the number of severely cost-burdened households has increased since the recession ended. In 2012, more than 10 million renters across the country spend half of their income on rent, leaving worryingly little for food, health care, transportation, savings and emergencies. Local affordability varies considerably, and Housing Landscape will provide detailed data for over 200 metropolitan areas across the country. In addition, the Center will provide guidance to local housing policymakers, advocates and practitioners to help them understand how to use these statistics to talk to decision-makers about the housing challenges in their communities. Other statistics you can use in 2014: 0 -the number of metro areas where a housekeeper or waiter could afford to rent a typical two-bedroom apartment in 2013 (Center for Housing Policy, Paycheck to Paycheck ).  44% -the increase between 2000 and 2010 in the combined housing plus transportation costs for the typical household in the nation's largest metro areas (Center for Housing Policy, Losing Ground ).  50% -share of state and local officials who agree that there is "a...

(NEW YORK) - The stock market is down the most in two months, continuing a weak start to the year. The energy sector slumped as the price of crude oil declined. Traders were also worried about more cuts in the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program following remarks from policymaker at the central bank. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 179 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 16,257 Monday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 23 points, or 1.3 percent, to 1,819. The Nasdaq composite fell 61 points, or 1.5 percent, to 4,113. Stocks are getting off to a poor start this year. The Dow is down 2 percent and has risen only twice in 2014. Consumer discretionary and energy stocks fell the most in the S&P 500 index. Bond prices rose.

In December, the U.S. participation rate-that's the share of the working-age population that's working or looking to work-dropped to its lowest percentage in four decades. In Washington, bad news means somebody must be blamed, so some Republicans (e.g.: Rep. Lynn Jenkins and Rep. Marsha Blackburn) have decided that someone is President Obama.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve should clarify its future plans for raising interest rates now that U.S. unemployment has dropped to 6.7 percent, close to the central bank's stated threshold of 6.5 percent for considering tighter policy, a top Fed official said.

Using data on safe assets from Yale's Gary Gorton, we charted the collapse of MBS, bank debt and the GSEs. The results are stunning.

Barbara S. Mishkin The CFPB has issued a notice announcing that it has made revisions to the following three mortgage-related consumer publications: “What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit,” “Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages, and “Shopping for Your Home Loan, Settlement Cost Booklet.” The notice indicates that the revisions consist of technical and conforming changes... More >

2014: Private Forces Move to the Fore.

Every August, central bankers from across the globe, who collectively pull the levers of the world economy, descend on Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. They enjoy a symposium of big economic ideas and strenuous afternoon hikes. At one of their dinners a few years ago, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke looked around at some fellow titans of finance. Read full article >>        

Wealthy borrowers will have options in 2014, but don't expect a repeat of last year's easy lending.

If Obama's three nominees to the Fed are approved, the country would have a dream team at the head of the central bank, says Pimco's Mohamed El-Erian.