Why do news sources really so heavily of the stock market as an indicator of hoe the economy is doing?
355479
They don't rely on it, but it is the only number they get every day except holidays and weekends and get directly from the non-governmental source. All other economic data come out monthly, quarterly, annually or erratically, and those numbers come from government agencies, which can and have cooked the numbers to suit the powers that be.
1027000
The media organizations are run by very rich, powerful people. They have agendas like everyone else. Yours and mine are to get educated, get good jobs, make a decent living, etc.  The media's job is to present a story that sells you on consuming their version of the news. That way, the more that people watch or read their news, the more money they make. And if they report from an angle ( conservative, liberal, American /Patriotic ) they get attention and hopefully more advertising dollars. Picture this, Mr. Jones runs the XYZ TV Network. He also has invested in the stock of corporations that make guns, fighter jets and ammunition - it only makes him wealthier, and therefore more powerful, if his stock increases in value because the US government is buying weaponry from the companies he has invested in.  The media, by no means whatsoever, is against President Bush. If anything, they cater to him, giving his side of the story when he was barking about weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein. Well, there were no weapons of mass destruction and Saddam is in captivity. So, why is the media not screaming at him about ending the war as his "goals" of eliminating wmd's and Hussein were accomplished?  The popular media, for the most part, is run by conservative thinkers who want a good story first, and the truth later.
644661
http://www.khoj.com/Business_and_Economy/Stock_Markets/....hey we have nicks...lol
516432
Well basically the Dow Jones or any other index for that matter, are made up of companies that are Blue Chip companies (Dow Jones) and averaged to represent the economy.  S&P is another index that usually has 500 compnaies that are averaged to represent the market as a whole. These indexes are usually taken to compare them to individual investments and how other stocks compare to them in the market. I hope this helps you get the big picture!
1172733
According to the mainstream media, the only indicator that matters is which party is in charge at the time.  If it is the Democrats then the economy could not be stronger.  If the Republicans are in charge then we are all doomed.
972456
Back in the market's infancy, the Dow Jones industrial average (30 stocks) was used to help gauge what the market as a whole was doing.  As time passed and more companies went public, they created the S&P500 as a 'broader' measure of 'the market.'\n\nThe Dow Jones is still used today as are other groups of stocks used as indicators such as the transportation index, energy index, NASDAQ (technology), Russell 2000 for smaller companies or EAFE for foreign stocks.  You can track the performance of these sectors by visiting CNNfn.com.
1030264
The economy is booming all over, despite the war, and the current interest rate hikes. \nThis is due to Bush's policies on tax cuts, THEY WORK!!!!!!!!\nIf we keep more money, we spend more money.\nif we spend more money, we stimulate the economy\nLiberals who are morons, and smoked to much weed during economics can't understand this. \n\nBut it's more than that, Bush is doing a fine Job and the libs know this, they are scared. And so there answer is to smear all he does, everything he says and does bad and good will get major spin from the libs, they are only capable of hate. The dark side as it were.
760738
yes but not because of some conspiracy to advance some political agenda\nthe reason is that simply put \nthey are catering to an audience.\njust because they are a news station doesn't make them any less of a business.\nmoney talks.
3109
They're not hiding those things from all of us, just those of you they want to keep in your menial jobs in order to maintain the economy. If you knew all the amazing stuff that was going on you'd be more dissatisfied and might revolt. Too bad for you.
901604
There are a lot of games that are being played to short the market and to try to create a shortage in the market. Till the house market really dumps they will hold these houses as not to flood the market and to keep prices up. more money for them from there loan and it cost them nothing to hold, they do not have a mortgage to pay like you do each month.\n\nCheck out this web site.\nhttp://www.breakingbubble.com/index.htm
191864
The economy has been doing well for several years.  The big question is, "Is a recession near?"\n\nA healthy economy in general means that unemployment is low (so it's easier to find a job) and the economy is growing (so people's standard of living goes up on the average).\n  \nWhen the economy is doing well, people tend to vote for the people already in power.  When it is going poorly, people tend to vote for change.
440323
Why don't you simply google "stock market great depression" and see what you get. I just did and there is a ton of info. out there.
221535
The prisons are a business.\nIn fact prison stocks have become as important as those of banks, insurances and real estate... and power corrupts
552119
They certainly render misleading media releases, though my personal presumtion is that that is more for their own benefit (e.g. playing down a story, playing up an achievement - anything to make them look good.)\nWhether a government as a whole (rather than an individual politician) would do similar to manipulate the market I'm not so sure. Having said that, I wouldn't put it past them.
314967
The stock market reacts to news and economic conditions. By the time the market reacts the event has already occurred. If you are waiting on the market to tell you where things are headed, you are already too late.
953378
Another trendy way of saying market driven business. You look hard at what people will spend money for then you provide it. This has been true since the first sale in history they just keep changing the language to make it sound new.
693736
The GPO main page is:\nhttp://www.gpoaccess.gov/indicators/\n\nGenerally, when you are talking about derivatives, you are talking about leverage. You would not want to be leveraged and making decisions based on economic indicators.\n\nFirst of all, why do you care? Have you ever found one economist that was right, ever?\n\nSecond, when the indicators are reported, it's already old news. It's the "perception" by the crowd, or the difference in the calculated vs expected values.\n\nThird, the stock market is ahead of the economy, and some say "predict" the economy six months in advance. With economics, you're looking at six-month old data.\n\nYou're listening to the media hype, like what they have to say really has some significance. It's just hype and old news. Some people read every word of the Wall Street Journal and think they're informed. It's just entertainment and old information, already discounted by the markets.\n\nWhat you want is new ideas, like from Barron's, but even then it's slim pickin'. Get into the here-and-now of what is actually happening, not what happened last month.