Word: higher
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2000-2009
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...even more important difference is that the stakes are higher with China. Japan seemed like a fearsome economic rival a quarter-century ago, but it wasn't really a political rival and, with a population less than half that of the U.S., it was unlikely ever to surpass the U.S. as an economic power. China, with its billion-plus population, seems destined to surpass the U.S. in economic clout, and it appears to have designs on rivaling the U.S. as a political and military power. Which means there's no easy way out of the U.S.-China trade impasse...
Under the program, the federal government subsidizes the bond payments that local governments make to investors, boosting the yield by 35%. So a typical muni bond that would normally pay 4.5% yields nearly 7% if it is issued through the Build America Bond program. The higher payments don't hurt the finances of the local government, because Uncle Sam is picking up the difference. (See how Americans are spending...
...higher yields of BABs have made muni bonds more attractive to pension funds and other nonprofit (i.e., tax-free) investors. And that new demand is driving down the yields on traditional muni bonds because there are relatively fewer of them issued. BABs, unlike traditional munis, are taxable. For most individual investors, the interest-rate difference is a wash - a high net worth investor would owe the extra yield they get from the BAB back in taxes, so they'd wind up with roughly the same after-tax yield as if they had bought a lower-yielding tax-free muni...
...also find a flurry of deals for both husbands and wives online. On the discount site Couponcabin.com, Ann Taylor is offering $50 off any $150-or-higher Web purchase through Jan. 5. You can get free shipping for Hammacher Schlemmer products over $89. Then there are the gifts that both Mom and Dad can enjoy. Restaurant.com, for example, is offering 50% gift certificates. Get a babysitter and leave the kids at home. More consumers are searching for deals: on PriceGrabber.com, the number of shoppers requesting e-mail alerts for low-priced offers...
...even a few factors and address them head-on. The increase in multiples - twins, triplets or more - is one contributor. The rise in assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization, is another; these techniques are associated with both an increased risk of multiples as well as a higher risk of premature delivery, even of singletons. Status of health insurance matters as well. Moms-to-be who are insured have access to proper prenatal care. If a woman sees a doctor regularly, then any problems that arise - pregnancy-related hypertension, for instance, or diabetes - can be picked up early...