Group items tagged

I found this article particularly interesting because it sheds light on motivations to quit the job search - lack of experience and education, as well as the reliance on (the now changing) federal Extended Benefits program.

The quantity demanded of this products changing with the change in price of the products.

The China Business news reports about the increasing gold prices of China. The elasticity of the product is going to be incredibly low and inelastic because gold is so unique. Of course there are faux-gold substitues, however gold is the real deal. Having a shortage of gold, combined with economic uncertainty, means that the #3 gold producer's prices may continue to change.

This article highlights the positive economic growth seen lately in Norway, and how those positive changes caused the central bank to hold their decision to increase action and monetary policy. The adjustments will not be necessary if in fact the domestic economy continues to improve.

Although part of this article talks about the hypocrisy of staging Climate Change Comferences (due to the environmental implications of travelling to it), the middle of it talks about some economics. Instead of just harping on the envoronmental effects of climate change, people are suggesting that the negative externalities of creating pollution may begin to affect a country's GDP. This is interesting because now the social cost that the company should have paid is now being bounced back for everyone to pay.

This article outlines the consistent debate over nutrition, especially in schools. The beneficial externalities are obvious in an increase in health for the student, as well as the encouraged development of healthy eating. However, if junk-foods are so much easier to obtain and the number of un-educated consumers in terms of nutrition are so low, the public will be more inclined to just keep eating in their old habits. How on earth can the government effectively change this situation for the betterment of society?

This article highlights the redesign of solar manufacturing so that it is cost-efficient for the company, as well as energy-efficient for the consumers. The lower-cost manufacturing is simpler by a decision to minimize some production costs by combining the design into a "single silicon wafer processing line." Clearly, it's a variable cost, and a positive change for the firm.

Sirius XM Radio was once saved the "January Effect" thanks to their merger several years ago. They experienced the benefits of economies of scale as a much larger organization, which brought the two previous companies back up in stock. However, they are still facing many challenges because economies of scale do not solve all problems. Some of the issues: "A low profit margin of 9.2 percent, and an astronomical Total/Debt to Equity of 492. Also, the rapid change in broadcasting technologies, and the Internet radio gaining ground, it is a matter of time before satellite-radio becomes obsolete. Satellite subscriptions are part of consumer spending that is usually negatively affected by a weak economy, consumers will not spend excessive money on this."

A year ago, the Occupy movement became one of the big news topics of the year - the popular slogan of this movement being "We are the 99%." This was reference to distribution of income, because protestors were angered at the unequal distribution of income leading to the "Top 1%" having such control over the economy. This article takes a look at how income inequality has continued to change since the movement has started.

This news article is basically concerning the issue of scarcity of natural resources in Africa. We are all well aware that the continent is undergoing an adaptation period with the ongoing climate change and this affects the agricultural aspect of the entire continent (more so in the rural areas). The article talks about the steps that are intended to be taken to withstand the impact of the change in climate and its effects on resources.

What really could be constraining the housing demand? is it really the different circumstances covering a householders finances due to weak earnings or higher inflation as suggested or the PRICE?!

Basically what this article is trying to convey is the issue of the unstable price of palm oil in Malaysia and how it affects and is affected by the economy. The decease in demand of palm oil due to high stock and a festive season ending is assumed to increase due to other festive seasons starting therefore predictably showing a recovery trend.

This is an example of the non-price determinant of demand that we learned about earlier, seasonal change. As different festive seasons approach, different demands change. Another example would be as some cultures celebrate Halloween at the end of October, the demand for pumpkins (and candy!) increases.

The National Broadband Network Company (NBN) wanted to slowly reduce their internet connection prices to benefit consumers. However, any price mechanism they try is just increasing the CPI (Consumer Price Index). The CPI measures change in price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households; in this situation specifically internet providers. We all obviously need the internet, but many companies are struggling with correct pricing, a key component of their business. They are beginning new projects that need more money, which in turn causes a price hike. The article uses a lot of technological 'lingo' with statistics to back up plans of price comparison.

Due to the increase in different nationalities in the population of the US, there has been a huge increase in demand for translation services, especially in the medical field. Because of this non-price determinant of demand changing, the demand curve for translating services shifted to the right. As the curve shifted to the right, this means that the equilibrium price and quantity both increased. Since a market always moves toward equilibrium, in this case it meant supply had to increase as well. It is for these reasons that the company discussed in this article is looking to expand its services and acquire new companies - so the market will be back at equilibrium and the demand for translating services is met by the same supply.

Unemployment is a huge issue that is coming from the eurozone economic challenges. There is a negative growth, and increasing unemployment rate. Changing the value of currency, and having difficulties stimulating economic growth are contributing to the problem. The economy is slowing down, which inevitably leads to higher unemployment.

The article addresses the trade between the United States and China. The trade between these two countries has swollen to a record $295 billion in 2011. Though, the trade doesn't seem as nice as it actually is, and Obama has filed 8 cases against China at the WTO since 2009. On the other hand there is Romney, who says that Obama hasn't been aggressive enough, so if he gets elected it seems that a lot is going to change.

I found this article interesting about the international trade relations between the US and China. The perspective on what type of trade is best is explored in this article, leaving us wondering if the free trade economy model will continue to work for the US, or should there be a change?

Victoria Cadman, economist at Investec, said no change in the rate of inflation would be an "uncomfortable reality" for the Bank of England, which confidently forecast inflation to fall rapidly throughout 2012 and into 2013. The Bank's policy-makers will be less inclined to pump more money into the economy through its quantitative easing programme if inflation continues to remain above target. This article discusses the expected increase in inflation figures which are coming out tomorrow because of high oil and food prices. These increases in inflation will lead to a higher cost of living, which is undesirable for pretty much everyone.

Brad Delong goes through the changing american economy and showing how the unemployment rate affects the real GDP.

This article concerns the fact that minimum wage for the UK will be raised by 11p; an increase of 1.8% from its current level. This change will affect aggregate supply in the short run (SRAS curve); as it will effectively increase the costs of production for all the firms in the industries of the economy. The result will be a shift to the left on the SRAS model.