You know the economic storm clouds are gathering whenever McDonald's becomes unaffordable for the working poor tier of the consumer base.  CNBC reports McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said consumers are beginning to push back (in some regional markets) against higher prices and ordering fewer menu ...

As mortgage rates have risen this year, the demand for home purchases has fallen. That has spelled trouble for the home construction business. Homebuilder confidence dropped for the 10th straight month in October. The decline in builder sentiment reflects what economist Ian Shepherdson describes as ...