Growth Rate Down In First Quarter; Prices Up (04/27)
" Economic growth slowed to a near crawl at a 1.3% annual rate in the first three months of 2007, the worst performance in four years. The main culprit: the housing slump.” Examine the latest quarterly economic growth and domestic price data (Growth & Price). Determine if the U.S. economy is experiencing “stagflation” (Video). Discuss the basic conditions of stagflation and speculate how they may affect the US economic performance (Analysis).
Roadblocks In Darfur Only Ensure More Suffering (04/25)
" And now this April, I too have gone before the Security Council to brief it on the continuing tragedy of Darfur after my recent mission to the region. The cost of inaction continues to be paid in countless thousands of lives lost. How many more Aprils can the people of Darfur endure?” Review the background information on Darfur (Information) and discuss how Sudan’s “Environmental – current issues” related to scarcity of water may be fueling its current internal conflict (CIA Report & Conflict). Discuss how scarcity of resources such as water may generate conflicts in other parts of the world (Scarcity).
Electric Deregulation Fails To Live Up To Promises As Bills Soar (04/21)
"This wasn't supposed to happen with deregulation. Electric bills were supposed to go down. Instead, Ellie Dorchincez can almost see the dollars evaporating every time she turns on the lights or opens the freezer at her small Farm Fresh grocery store." Discuss how the market discipline of lowering prices is possible if effective competition is introduced (Competition). Speculate as to why electric deregulations may not be working in some states as anticipated (Failure). Examine how increasing demands or loads and limited supplies or capacities can push up electric bills for California consumers (SupplyDemand).
Stocks Surge, Dow Closes Near 13,000 (04/20)
"Wall Street bounded higher Friday, hurtling the Dow Jones industrial average to a record close approaching 13,000 as investors celebrated a week of surprisingly strong earnings reports.” Which specific dates rank as the top five greatest DJIA daily percentage loses of all times (All-Time). Discuss if stock prices do reflect underlying forces that affect the well being of the economy, industry groups, and companies (Fundamentals). Examine how the onset of major national security events can affect the Dow performances (Events).
Central Bank’s Balancing Act (04/11)
"The Federal Reserve officials did not rule out another interest rate increase if necessary to contain inflation, even while acknowledging that growth had slowed more than predicted, according to minutes of their March meeting released Wednesday." Review the minutes of the March 2007 FOMC meeting (Minutes). Determine if “the economy appeared to be expanding at a modest pace” (GDP). And, if “business investment had softened considerably”(Investment). Examine if “consumer spending had increased appreciably” (Spending). Assess the current level of inflation in the economy and discuss why the FOMC may not have ruled out another interest rate increase (Inflation). By the way, how high is inflation in Zimbabwe (High)?
Mangoes For Macho Harleys (04/06)
" The Mouthwatering mangoes for macho motorcycles. That sounds like a fair trade. Indian mangoes will hit U.S. shelves for the first time in 18 years, while Harley Davidson motorcycles will soon be cruising India's roads, senior Indian and U.S. officials said Friday.” Discuss how the U.S. economy is benefiting from engaging in international trades (Benefits). Discuss how your state is benefiting from engaging in international trade (Benefits). Assess how retail sales to international markets are fueling Harley Davidson’s growth (Export) and generating good paying jobs in the U.S. (Jobs).
Upside Surprise: 180,000 Jobs Created In March (04/06)
" The unemployment rate fell to the lowest in five months in March as employersadded jobs at a healthy pace, the government said Friday in a report that suggested the housing slowdown has had little effect on the job market.” Examine the BLS Employment Situation Summary report and identify which sectors in the economy generated net positive jobs in March (Report). Examine to see if the estimated number of part time or underemployed workers also declined from the previous month (Part time). Review historical unemployment rates (Historical Data) and assess the current employment condition (Analysis).
New China Tariffs: Are US Consumers At Risk? (04/03)
" The Last week's abrupt 180-degree turn in U.S.-China trade policy is stirring up plenty of concern - and confusion - on either side of the globe. The Commerce epartment announced on Friday that it would begin to impose tariffs on some subsidized goods from China ." Examine why the Commerce Department decided to apply U.S. anti-subsidy law to imports from China (Press Release). Assess the current US trade deficit with China (Deficit). Discuss how imposing tariffs may hurt the U.S. economy (Analysis).
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