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UMN Economics
@umn-econ.bsky.social
Representing the University of Minnesota Department of Economics
Prof. Kjetil Storesletten breaks down why headline unemployment numbers don’t tell the full story. "Aggregates hide pain. When you look inside, the bottom half of workers see a much less rosy labor market than the unemployment rate suggests."

Read the full article from Minnpost.
Economic indicators raise concerns about Minnesota’s economy - MinnPost
Minnesota’s marquee economic indicators such as unemployment still appear strong, but under-the-hood, economists see signs of stress.
www.minnpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by UMN Economics
How does IMF intervention after sovereign default help debtor country?

UMN @umn-econ.bsky.social JMC Teresa Balestrini evaluates differences post default for countries that restructure within IMF program versus those that directly negotiate with creditors 1990–2014.

www.teresabalestrini.com
TERESA BALESTRINI
Welcome! I am a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of Minnesota and will be on the 2025-2026 job market. My fields of interest are Macroeconomics and International Economics, with a focus ...
www.teresabalestrini.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by UMN Economics
A mother's time and household income both shape children's skill outcomes. To evaluate cash assistance programs, then, we need to account for the children's future outcomes. This is @jmullins.bsky.social @umn-econ.bsky.social project in a new Institute Working Paper https://bit.ly/3WJHGhC


November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
cla.umn.edu/economics/ne... Is central bank independence under threat? 🏦
Former Minneapolis Fed President Gary Stern & Research Director Art Rolnick join Hoover's John Cochrane to debate what's at stake as governments push for more control over monetary policy.

#econsky #monetarypolicy
Central Bank independence: Critical for Economic Growth and Stability?
Is central bank independence at risk? Former Minneapolis Fed leaders Gary Stern & Art Rolnick join Hoover's John Cochrane to debate this critical question.
cla.umn.edu
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Undergraduate level is where economics loses talent. Fed-Minnesota partnership's BEE program proves engagement and mentorship can transform the pipeline. cla.umn.edu/economics/ne...
Building a New Pipeline: BEE Program's First Year Success Reshapes Undergraduate Economics Education
The Fed-University partnership has proven it can produce Nobel Prize-winning research at the highest levels. Now it's proving it can build the pipeline from the ground up.
cla.umn.edu
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
www.kare11.com/article/news... Prof. @tkehoe.bsky.social on @kare11.bsky.social analyzing the Fed's latest Beige Book: "Rough times are ahead." Kehoe warns about tariff uncertainty: "When we have no idea what tariffs will look like in six months, we can't make plans."
Unlike a 'little black book,' the Fed's beige one spills the country's economic secrets
The Federal Reserve releases its Beige Book several times a year to provide a summary of economic activity, labor markets, prices and other factors.
www.kare11.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/1... V.V. Chari on @marketplace.org explaining a major labor market shift:
"Break-even employment" dropped from 250K jobs/month in 2023 to just 30K today. The reason? Changing migration patterns have reshaped the balance between job seekers and available jobs.
Why "break-even" employment has seen a dramatic shift
Break-even employment is a sort of balance figure between the number of job seekers and the number of jobs available.
www.marketplace.org
October 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Congrats to PhD alum Gary Hansen on his election to the NBER Board of Directors!

Gary earned his PhD from UMN in '86 under Edward Prescott, developing his groundbreaking theory of indivisible labor. Now a leading macroeconomist at UCLA, he continues shaping the field.
October 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
A chance encounter with policy research sparked a journey across continents. Meet our newest Associate Professor Anran Li and her quest to fix healthcare markets.

cla.umn.edu/economics/ne...
From Seminar Room to Healthcare Markets: Professor Anran Li's Journey to Minnesota
A chance encounter with policy research sparked a journey across continents. Meet new Associate Professor Anran Li and her quest to fix healthcare markets.
cla.umn.edu
September 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Highlighting outstanding work by UMN Economics professors Ellen McGrattan and Anmol Bhandari! Their analysis challenges common assumptions about entrepreneurial earnings. We are proud to have such impactful researchers in our department.
Do most entrepreneurs scrape by just to be their own boss? Analysis of tax records by our consultants Ellen McGrattan & Anmol Bhandari of @umn-econ.bsky.social (+ coauthors) reveals avg earnings 60% higher than paid-employed. But that's just part of the story... t.co/64LssYlWAD #econsky
September 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
July inflation hit 2.7%
But UMN economist V.V. Chari says it would take a HUGE jump in August data to change the Fed's mind about cutting rates next week.
"If they saw something like 3.5%, 4% inflation... that might raise alarm bells."
The Fed is keeping a close eye on inflation numbers out later this week
The expectation is that the Fed will cut rates — but what if inflation spiked in August?
www.marketplace.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UMN Prof. Hannes Malmberg co-authored research presented at the Fed's Jackson Hole conference showing US debt could reach 250% of GDP without raising interest rates—but only with major fiscal adjustments. #EconSky #FiscalPolicy
US Debt-to-GDP of 250% Won’t Push Up Rates: Jackson Hole Paper
US government debt could reach 250% of gross domestic product without putting upward pressure on interest rates, according to a paper presented at the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole conference.
www.bloomberg.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by UMN Economics
New study compares economic experiences of China and Mexico after they opened to international trade and foreign investment by Xing Xu, PhD student at UMN Econ ‪
@umn-econ.bsky.social‬ and research analyst at Minneapolis Fed @minneapolisfed.bsky.social and me:
www.minneapolisfed.org/research/sta...
August 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
What do you gain when you travel abroad? University of Minnesota economics students discovered the answer in London. Read how three weeks transformed their understanding of global economics.

#EconSky #economics

cla.umn.edu/economics/ne...
From Brexit to Sustainability: Economics Study Abroad Program Adapts to Global Changes
Economics students discover how three weeks in London transforms their understanding of global markets and shapes international career dreams.
cla.umn.edu
August 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Did you catch UMN Professor V.V. Chari on @kare11.bsky.social ?
"'Rigged?' This is about the most outrageous accusation that anybody can make about the way the statistics are developed by these professionals. These are not statistics produced by a single person sitting at her desk."
z.umn.edu/alqx
'This one freaks me out as an economist': Experts alarmed by Trump's firing of BLS leader
Economists say firing a top official for revisions to a jobs report sends a bad message and could destroy trust in data that's central to the economy.
z.umn.edu
August 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
New research from UMN professor Kyle Herkenhoff challenges common narratives about private equity’s impact on workers. Tracking 2.5M workers at 3,600 PE-backed firms, they find wages fall 18% after 3 years but only for workers who leave the firm.

#EconSky #LaborEconomics

cepr.org/voxeu/column...
Understanding the impact of private equity on employees
The growth of the private equity in recent years has raised concerns about its consequences. This column matches 2.5 million workers who were employed by 3,600 firms in the US that underwent leveraged buyouts with workers at firms that were not acquired to explore the effects of private equity on labour market outcomes. The authors find that unemployment for workers at bought-out firms rises and wages fall substantially after buyouts, with wage losses concentrated among those who leave the bought-out firm. These dynamics appear to be the result of private equity acting to increase efficiency rather than exploiting labour market power.
cepr.org
July 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
UMN economics professor Art Rolnick spoke to ‪@kstptv.bsky.social‬ on the Target Center funding debate: “I think the only argument that’s going to hold any weight is to threaten to move. Once they say they’re not moving, the game's over.”

#Timberwolves #EconSky
kstp.com/kstp-news/to...
Wolves, Lynx new owners pledge to stay in the state, arena upgrade
Marc Lore said in a video posted by the team on Wednesday, “We are not moving the team ever." Alex Rodriguez also suggested an arena upgrade is ahead.
kstp.com
June 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
As uncertainty about the U.S.' economic outlook grows, this season's Office Hours podcast explores the impact of the Trump administration's policies. Tune in for insights on some of the most pressing economic issues from leading Minnesota economists.
#Economics #EconSky #EconPolicy
Season preview- Trade wars, tradeoffs, and turbulence: Examining economics in the Trump-era
The four-episode series delves into the policy priorities of Trump's second term, from Federal Reserve independence to inflation, foreign trade, and the U.S. relationship with China.
cla.umn.edu
June 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
What sets UMN Economics apart? Our exceptional community and partnerships, including unique collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

With multiple degree pathways and real-world learning opportunities, we’re preparing the next generation of economics professionals. #EconSky
One of the Best Reasons to be an Econ Major: Inside UMN's Economics Community
Discover how Economics at Minnesota, in partnership with the Federal Reserve, offers students unique opportunities that set them up with real-world experiences.
cla.umn.edu
June 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Professor VV Chari in the @startribune.com on the legislation that recently passed the U.S. House: “We’re now out of the pandemic. This is a time for us to pursue perhaps a more responsible fiscal policy, but we seem to be going in exactly the wrong direction.”
www.startribune.com/the-fiscal-i...
The fiscal impact of the bill will be big, but it won’t be beautiful
Trillions estimated to be added to a federal debt that’s already unsustainable.
www.startribune.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The turn away from free trade has been a major shift. In this episode of the Office Hours Podcast, economists Tim Kehoe and Chris Phelan share differing perspectives on how the President’s approach to trade policy is playing out for the United States.
open.spotify.com/episode/6eBS...
S3E1: The Economics of Trump Tariffs and U.S. Trade Policy
Heller-Hurwicz Office Hours · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Catch highlights from Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler’s 2025 Heller-Hurwicz Roundtable address in this recent Star Tribune feature: strib.gift/6hMmAFp
Things To Do in Minneapolis and around the Twin Cities
Find things to do in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, from theater performances at the Orpheum to events at Xcel Energy Center and Target Center.
strib.gift
April 29, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Read more about Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler's address at the 2025 Heller-Hurwicz Economics Institute Roundtable event with this latest piece from Bloomberg. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Fed’s Kugler Says Tariff Impact Likely Larger Than Expected
Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler said tariffs will likely put upward pressure on prices and have a bigger economic effect than previously expected.
www.bloomberg.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler addressed UMN's Heller-Hurwicz Economics Institute at its annual roundtable event, discussing the transmission of monetary policy and the economic outlook. Learn about her viewpoints with this piece from Reuters: www.reuters.com/business/fed...
Fed's Kugler, citing inflation risks, supports steady policy rate
Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler said on Tuesday that with U.S. import tariffs significantly larger than expected and likely to put upward pressure on prices, the central bank ought to keep short-term borrowing costs unchanged until inflation risks recede.
www.reuters.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Prof. Hannes Malmberg of UMN Economics is featured in Inside Story, discussing his research on the economic outcomes of trade wars. insidestory.org.au/donald-trump...
Donald Trump’s lose–lose tariffs • Noah Smith
History shows tariffs are bad for rich economies — and Donald Trump’s decisions so far are actually reducing manufacturing investment
insidestory.org.au
April 18, 2025 at 5:08 PM