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Erica Yeo

Crude Oil Rises on Gaza Conflict Amid Declining U.S. Stockpiles - Bloomberg - 2 views

www.bloomberg.com/...-weeks-as-stockpiles-fall.html

crude oil gaza conflict u s bloomberg challenges currentevents

shared by Erica Yeo on 29 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • boosting speculation that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza may disrupt crude supply from the Middle East.
  • Prices advanced earlier after American Petroleum Institute data yesterday showed crude inventories fell for the second week in three. An Energy Department report today is forecast to show supplies increased.
  • “Crude trade will remain choppy until we have some clarity on the Israeli-Gaza conflict,
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Societe Generale SA raised its predictions for global oil prices next year,
  • Crude for January delivery was at $87.58 a barrel, up 83 cents, or 1 percent, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 1:38 p.m. London time. The contract dropped $2.53 yesterday to $86.75, the biggest decline since Nov. 7. Prices are down 11 percent this year.
  • The bank increased its price outlook for Brent to $110 a barrel from $103 previously, according to an e-mailed report.
  • Crude stockpiles in the U.S. slid 1.9 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 16, the API’s report showed.
  • Gasoline slid 4.8 million barrels, compared with a gain of 1 million barrels in the Bloomberg survey. Distillates, including diesel and heating oil, declined 4.4 million barrels, compared with a projected 1 million-barrel decrease.
  • Erica Yeo on 29 Nov 12
     
    1. What affect do you think the american stockpiles of crude oil have on the supply and demand graph of crude oil? 2. Since the middle east contributes to most of our oil resources, what are the possible solutions to the price increase of crude oil if the conflict between israel and palestine continues?
Samson Luong

Rare-earth prices rise on slowed production - 2 views

www.globaltimes.cn/...744158.shtml

commodities and resources rare earth production supply demand Samson Zhang

shared by Samson Luong on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Prices of rare earths in China have rebounded recently due to a halt in production and market expectations of large purchases for State Reserves
  • 32,000 yuan ($5,137) per ton, compared with 23,000 yuan at the end of October, a rise of nearly 40 percent
  • The recent price jump is mainly the result of a suspension of production
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Rare-earth prices fluctuated wildly in 2011, jumping in June following government efforts to consolidate the sector but falling sharply in July as a result of oversupply and weakening market demand. 
  • There has also been market speculation that the State Reserve will buy rare earths in December, which has boosted market prices
  • soaring prices have negative effects on downstream industries that use rare earths as raw materials
  • To conserve resources and protect the environment from heavily polluting rare-earth mining, China has curbed output and exports of rare earths
  • Samson Luong on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. Can you use the economic concepts to explain what is happening in the rare earth market? (Hint: Supply and Demand determinants, the relationship of supply and demand etc. Feel free to use other concepts.) 2. Can you explain what type of interventions the government is using to solve the negative externalities in this case. What may happen in the market as a result?
A SN

Tom Thorne's ejournal: Economic stagnation in US means whoever wins the US Presidential... - 1 views

tomthorneejournal.blogspot.ca/...ation-in-us-means-whoever.html

Stagnate Economic Growth

shared by A SN on 28 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      Represents the real threat to Canada; USA's economic stagnation
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • The real threat to Canada is not who is in the White House but what they do about the mounting US Government debt now at $16 Trillion plus. To this point there is no will apparent to cooperate for a solution.
  • If the US literally prints its way out of its economic mess, the mess will be compounded. 
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      Problems caused by overprinting money
  • Lenders will want more interest to cover the risk of carrying US Government debt loads expressed in diluted valued bonds and currency.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The proves that the USA is in really bad debt.
  • Such an action is guaranteed to create inflation and a rise in interest rates charged to service the debt and also generally for business and lenders of all kinds.
  • Serious debt reduction is needed in the US Congress and Administration.  And there is very little wiggle room to cut US government expenditures. However failure to do so will mean in the middle range of time that the US will become more and more an economic lightweight and hence its world presence will be diminished. That is bad for Canada.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      If USA falls into a deeper economic stagnation Canada will be widely affected.
  • The US is making itself militarily and financially vulnerable. Canada, no matter how well we manage our financial affairs, will be forced into the same situation as our major trading partner.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The US is losing it influence throughout the world. This is a problem.
  • It will be tougher for Canada to retain our natural resources.  Potential deals like the Chinese State taking over Nexen in our oil sands, will become more likely if we want to maintain our own economic performance independent of a financially errant US.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      problems caused by USA economic stagnation.
  • It really is time for the United States Government and its politicians to bite the economic bullet. Failure to do so means a downsizing of the United State’s influence on the world stage and that can only mean that Canada will need a more independent economic policy as China grows in influence. In short the lack of action on the economic front by our major trading partner is taking us more to Europe and into the arms of the Chinese Government’s hegemony.
    • A SN
      A SN on 28 Nov 12
       
      The consequences if the USA does not change.
  • A SN on 28 Nov 12
     
    Questions: 1. Do you think that eventually Canada will have no choice but to sell its natural resources to the other world powers? Can this be a good change? 2. Canada and the USA share a lot of history and do a lot of activities together, do you think that being financially independent will make us rely less on the US ?
A SN

The Wrong Inequality - NYTimes.com - 2 views

www.nytimes.com/...ooks-the-wrong-inequality.html

Article Regarding the Topic of Inequality

shared by A SN on 21 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Blue Inequality
    • A SN
      A SN on 21 Nov 12
       
      One type of inequality.
  • Red Inequality
  • It’s between those with a college degree and those without.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • Roughly 31 percent started or manage nonfinancial businesses. About 16 percent are doctors, 14 percent are in finance, 8 percent are lawyers, 5 percent are engineers and about 2 percent are in sports, entertainment or the media.
  • people similar to yourself, who may have gone to the same college, who are earning much more while benefiting from low tax rates, wielding disproportionate political power, gaining in prestige and contributing seemingly little to the social good.
  • New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston and the District of Columbia.
  • Moreover, college graduates have become good at passing down advantages to their children. If you are born with parents who are college graduates, your odds of getting through college are excellent. If you are born to high school grads, your odds are terrible.
  • more likely to get married, they are much less likely to get divorced and they are much, much less likely to have a child out of wedlock. Today, college grads are much less likely to smoke than high school grads, they are less likely to be obese, they are more likely to be active in their communities, they have much more social trust, they speak many more words to their children at home.
  • But the fact is that Red Inequality is much more important. The zooming wealth of the top 1 percent is a problem, but it’s not nearly as big a problem as the tens of millions of Americans who have dropped out of high school or college. It’s not nearly as big a problem as the 40 percent of children who are born out of wedlock. It’s not nearly as big a problem as the nation’s stagnant human capital, its stagnant social mobility and the disorganized social fabric for the bottom 50 percent.
  • That’s because the protesters and media people who cover them tend to live in or near the big cities, where the top 1 percent is so evident
  • If your ultimate goal is to reduce inequality, then you should be furious at the doctors, bankers and C.E.O.’s. If your goal is to expand opportunity, then you have a much bigger and different agenda
  • A SN on 21 Nov 12
     
    Questions 1. Why does this article relate to economics? Honestly, why should we as economists really care about this matter? 2. Inequality is not only found in America, so how can American inequalities be compared to other inequalities found in the world? (This can include gender, race, geographical location, history, and more)
  • Valentina Padure on 28 Nov 12
     
    1. This article relates to economics because it discusses red and blue inequalities that exist and these are economic principles that economists need to pay attention to. The economy is based on efficiency and in order to be efficient economists have to take into consideration all types of inequalities that exist 2. An inequality is an unequal difference between two things, this article recognizes the inequality between the rich and the poor, or as they call it the red and blue inequality. Another type of inequality is gender inequality. In some countries girls are not allowed to go to school with the boys, and girls typically don't have the same rights as boys.
Dyena Huynh

Study: Canadian consumer debt hits $26,768, highest in two years - 1 views

www.digitaljournal.com/...336848

shared by Dyena Huynh on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Canadian consumer debt grew at the fastest pace since the fourth quarter of 2010
  • Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has been warning households of its growing debt rate and officials are continuing to caution that household spending levels are starting to get out of control.
  • Dyena Huynh on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. Why do think consumer debt increased so much? 2. They say that getting consumers to spend more will help boost the economy, but is it beneficial when consumers are going into debt?
  • Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12
     
    1. i believe consumer debt has increased drastically because the generation is upgrading really quickly with new things, mainly technology and many people want to be caught up with the latest trends whether it is buying the latest iphone, clothing, real estate, buying a car etc. People begin to borrow heavy loans without thinking of a way to pay back therefore causing a big debt to themselves.
  • Samson Luong on 27 Nov 12
     
    1. I believe consumer debt has increased greatly due to the need to purchase luxuries and unnecessary goods because we live in a society where we live in a society where you feel incomplete if you do not possess a certain good. 2. I think spending money to a certain point is beneficial because it helps circulate cash, however consumers should not be spending to a point where they cannot pay back debts. Also people can spend money wisely rather on unnecessary and expensive goods.
faseehthemoonman

Consumer Debt - 7 views

Question #1 As the holiday season approaches, will consumers be able to go back to the old ways of gift giving, or will the Grinch (monkey) on their back, make them over spend and increase consume...

consumer debt

started by faseehthemoonman on 26 Nov 12 2 follow-ups, last by faseehthemoonman on 26 Nov 12
Brijesh Patel

Canadian consumer debt soars 53 per cent - 1 views

ca.finance.yahoo.com/...ars-53-per-cent-155008666.html

consumer debt

shared by Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Brijesh Patel on 26 Nov 12
     
    - In the past 5 years, consumer debt has increased by 53% - The most borrowing occurring in the two years right after the global financial crisis. - Canada's household debt to income ration jumped to 163.4% - Canada's debt-to-income ratio has now reached a record high, topping levels seen in the U.S - Currently, the Canadian housing market is in a state of decline, with home sales dropping 15 per cent in September.
  • Brijesh Patel on 27 Nov 12
     
    #2 what is causing the debt ratio to increase drastically ?
Erica Yeo

Divisions between haves and have-nots begin with having skills - or not - The Globe and... - 1 views

www.theglobeandmail.com/...article4906878

inequality divisions globeandmail challenges currentevents

shared by Erica Yeo on 22 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Baby boomers are targeted because after struggling to get an education in skills that would land a job, and after decades of effort, they have accumulated some wealth.
  • To them, we symbolize intergenerational inequality.
  • Your future will be defined by how well you learn skills that match the needs of the job market. Those who gain useful skills will find higher paying, more rewarding jobs; those without that knowledge will face low-paying, unstable prospects.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • progressively widening inequality gap between members of your own generation.
  • large numbers of unfilled jobs co-existing with high levels of youth unemployment.
  • what if Canadian universities were the root cause of the skills gap, rather than the solution?
  • fail to report what portion of their graduates find work that requires a university education.
  • 40 per cent of Canadian university graduates aged 25 to 29 were employed in “low-skill” jobs,
  • Canadian graduates turning to jobs-focused colleges for further training.
  • reduces Canadian productivity and prosperity
  • they just keep spending public money to produce graduates with few job prospects,
  • And the class of 2013 may come to realize that the most damaging inequality is not that of financial disparity, but rather the inequality of hope.
  • Erica Yeo on 23 Nov 12
     
    Discussion Questions: 1. Why should a widening financial income gap be concerning to the economy? 2. What are the economic differences of the baby boomer's generation (1940's-1960's) and the current generation? Do you think these differences affected the education requirement of today's jobs?
Rohan Zahur

Teacher Bashing: The Inequality Psychology | Inequality.org - 1 views

inequality.org/-bashing-inequality-psychology

inequality

shared by Rohan Zahur on 22 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Rohan Zahur on 22 Nov 12
     
    Q1: What would be your solution to this inequality? Would it really affect people(help teachers; students; any consequences)? Q2: Would your choice be efficient to the state? What would be opportunity costs for your solution?
  • Dyena Huynh on 22 Nov 12
     
    1. my solution to this inequality would be to increase taxes on the wealthy and decrease for the poor and focus the use of taxes more on public schools because that's where it's needed most. Since the problem isn't really about the taxes, it's the rich people themselves and their attitude toward public services so there should be a policy where rich have to support at most, public schools. 2. Yes my choice would be efficient because this way you can at least reduce the wealth gap between the wealthy and poor. The main opportunity cost for my solution is paying more taxes but for a better result in education and basic necessities needed in schools for students to be educated properly.
Ms Cuttle

Exclusive: Poll shows Torontonians split on extra taxes for downtown relief line - thes... - 2 views

www.thestar.com/...taxes-for-downtown-relief-line

taxes ttc toronto

shared by Ms Cuttle on 19 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Toronto is divided over whether adding a downtown relief line to the subway system is worth an extra $50 in property tax each year, according to a new poll.
  • Ms Cuttle on 19 Nov 12
     
    Would you be willing to pay in tax to fund a downtown relief line for the TTC?
Ms Cuttle

Are Canada's financial institutions in perfect shape? Don't bank on it - Business - Mac... - 1 views

www2.macleans.ca/...dont-bank-on-it-2

finance financial crisis

shared by Ms Cuttle on 16 Nov 12 - No Cached
  • Less than 24 hours after Lagarde put down her dessert fork, debt rating agency Moody’s put six of Canada’s biggest banks under review for a possible ratings downgrade, citing high consumer debt levels and a frothy housing market.
  • Household debt-to-income ratios now stand at 163 per cent, higher than in the United States before its housing crash and up from 147 per cent two years ago.
  • RBC last week revealed plans to spend $1.4 billion to buy auto lender Ally Financial while TD said it was buying retailer Target’s credit card business. The Bank of Nova Scotia also recently purchased the online bank ING Direct for $3.1 billion.
  • Ms Cuttle on 16 Nov 12
     
    Should Canadians be worried about the financial stability of our banks?
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