Analysis: Latest Reports from The Wall Street Journal ‘Real Time Economics’

Here are the latest reports from The Wall Street Journal ‘Real Time Economics’.

The July Jobs Report in 12 Charts
We break down the jobs report a dozen ways.

Economists React to the July Jobs Report: ‘Will Keep the Fed in Play in September’
Here’s what economists had to say about the July jobs report.

So the Job Market Is Strong, But There’s Still Plenty of Slack
Yes, the labor market is showing signs of sustained strength. But by several measures, there is still plenty of slack.

U.S. Consumer Credit Picks Up in June
Americans took on consumer debt at a faster pace in June, suggesting a firming labor market and low gas prices may finally be prying open consumers’ wallets.

5 Things to Watch on the Economic Calendar
A batch of economic data in the coming week will shed light on the economy’s strength as it entered the third quarter.

Treasury Prepares to Teach Foreign Investors the Rules for Investing in Iran
The U.S. Treasury Department is cautiously preparing for the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran, but is insistent that foreign companies don’t jump the gun.

Why Risky Borrowers Still Aren’t Getting Mortgages
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Obama administration over the past year have tried mightily to expand mortgage access for riskier borrowers, but there’s little evidence so far of borrowers with weaker credit making a strong return.

At Camp Kotok, the Chatter Is About Fed Rate Rise, China and How the Fish Are Biting
For many luminaries of the financial sector, the place to be when the July payrolls report is released is around a small television set at Leen’s Lodge in Grand Lake Stream, Maine. If you are there on the first Friday of August, you are part of “Camp Kotok.”

5 Things to Know About China’s Currency Devaluation
Five things to know about China’s move to devalue its currency, which will likely have a ripple effect through financial markets as well as in politics.

Home Prices Soar in Some Metro Areas
The National Association of Realtors on Tuesday said that home prices in the second quarter rose in 163 out of 176 metro areas, continuing their upward trajectory even as economists warn of looming affordability problems and a limited supply of homes for sale.

Did the Mortgage-Fee Cut Help Borrowers?
Since a mortgage-fee cut, the number and mix of loans being backed by the Federal Housing Administration have changed markedly. Here’s how the change affected the mortgage market.

U.S. Job Openings in June Fall a Bit From Record Highs
The number of job openings in the U.S. fell slightly in June, though the overall level suggests demand for workers remains strong.

Who May Get a Boost From New Overtime Rules
More women than men stand to benefit from proposed overtime changes, but men could take home more cash.

China Fires the First Shot in a Currency War
China’s move this week is a zero-sum game and thus the first shot in a currency war.

WSJ Survey: Oil and Inflation Are Stubborn Disappointments
The history of oil tycoons is littered with booms and busts—fortunes that swelled and collapsed with unexpected velocity—subject to the vagaries of oil discoveries and the high-stakes game of world diplomacy and international intrigue. Economic forecasters can’t avoid them, either.

As Home Prices Rise, the Foreclosure Crisis Continues to Recede
The Mortgage Bankers Association, which represents mortgage lenders, on Thursday said that the foreclosure starts rate was merely 0.4% in the second quarter, 0.05 percentage point lower than the first quarter and on par with the rate seen during the housing boom.

Renters Spent a Record-High Share of Income on Rent This Spring
The rental squeeze is getting worse, according to a new report by Zillow, as people are paying the highest-ever percentage of their income on rent.

Lower Electronics-Store Spending May Not Be What You Think
Americans spent more at retailers selling everything from cars to camping equipment in July, but they spent less at electronics stores. The underlying reason could be that gadgets are getting cheaper.

Video: The Married Millennial Parents Are Coming
A wave of millennial marriages and parents is its way, according to wedding and birth forecasting firm Demographic Intelligence. WSJ’s Lee Hawkins has the details.

5 Things to Watch on the Economic Calendar
The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting highlight the week.