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Sophie Groosman

India's Inflation Rate Outpaces Predictions - NYTimes.com - 0 views

  • NEW DELHI — Inflation in India accelerated faster than expected in April, as the cost of food, fuel and manufactured items all rose
  • A slide in the value of the rupe
  • The India wholesale price index for April rose 7.23 percent from the level of a year ago, notably higher than the 6.7 percent increase that economists had been expecting.
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  • has added to inflationary pressures in India
  • India’s inflation bubbled above 9 percent for most of 2011. Although it has cooled since, it is still the highest among the so-called BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
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    As we know, inflation is a rise in price levels. In India at the moment, there is a slide in the value of the rupee, and simultaneously food, fuel and manufactured items are raising in price, leading in a high inflation. This is an exmple of stagflation becuase it is a 'cost-push' inflation (inflation caused by rising costs of products).  In India, the inflation rate was expected to rise 6.7% (by economists) but it actually rose 7.23%.
Sam Bracewell

S Korean inflation slips to 12-year low - FT.com - 0 views

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    This article talks about how South Korea's inflation is at its lowest in 12 years at 1.2 per cent. This has both positive and negative effects. It is positive because price level is only slightly increasing, which is good for consumers withing South Korea. However it also has many negative effects. Because inflation is so low employment and real GDP will only be slightly increasing, these are elements that are good for the economy when they increase. One of the main reasons why the inflation is so low is because exports, a key section of the country's economy, have decreased. If exports continue to decrease then this could result in a decrease of GDP in the country which is not good for people living in the country and the country's economy. However, the article says that it is unlikely that South Korea will experience deflation and that this is likely the trough for inflation, meaning inflation is due to increase.
Amelie Spaniol

Central Bank of Turkey predicts inflation target overshoot until 2013 - Central Banking - 0 views

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    According to this Article inflation in Turkey increased to 10.45% and the central bank's Inflation rate was 5.5%. This difference in inflation rate occurs because when a country's central bank tries to fight inflation, as is being done in Turkey, the nominal interest rate will still tend to increase. Consequently, investment and consumption are discouraged due to the high inflation rate set by banks. This is because firms will not invest anymore because it is more expensive to borrow money and consume. In addition, consumption will decrease because the cost of borrowing money to consume large goods such as cars or houses is a lot more expensive.  
A Gysler

Iceland Inflation Holds at 5.4% in June as Interest Rates Rise - Bloomberg - 0 views

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    Iceland has been in a serious recession with great inflation rates for several years. To control the situation, the Central bank has started to raise interest rates with the hope to decrease inflation and bring prices back to normal levels. By increasing interest rates consumers will stop borrowing as much money which will cause a decrease in consumption. In addition it will become more expensive for firms to borrow money for their investments and they will decrease investments well. Overall these two factors will cause a decrease in aggregate demand in Iceland. This will push down prices and cause disinflation in the long run. Due to these decreasing prices goods and services from Iceland become more attractive to foreign consumers causing an increase in exports which may strengthen the currency. The article states that due to the increased interest rates inflation remained stable for the past months. This shows that households and firms are consuming/investing less which stops further inflation.
e lynesmith

BBC News - India inflation rate rises faster than expected - 0 views

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    India's inflation rate rose to 7.55% in August, rise that was much faster than expected by analysts. The primary reason behind this is a rise in India's food prices. In order to decrease inflation and lower prices, the Reserve Bank of India tried to raise interest rates. This should cause a decrease in consumption and demand. Thus in the long-run, disinflation will occur as firms will be forced to lower prices in order to maintain a profit. However, altering interest rates has been tricky for central policy-makers as India imports a large quantity of their food from the US, who ultimately have control the prices.  The US will probably add to India's inflation as they are "likely to push up global commodity prices".  Even through raising interest rates, which can be damaging as they hurt businesses and consumer confidence, India still has little control over global prices. As a result, India's inflation will raise even. 
Lasse Stueben

High inflation leaves UK in doldrums | Business | guardian.co.uk - 0 views

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    Over the past year, high inflation has pushed the UK economy into a recession. Inflation has been caused by prices of goods rising faster than wages, also known as cost-push inflation. The weakness of consumer demand has resulted in a decrease in investment from businesses. Specifically, higher food and oil prices has been the reason as to why disinflation has been occurring slower than anticipated by the Bank of England. The issue is that with rising prices, the spending power of consumers is being diminished. 
Clara Gannon

Rising food prices likely boosted Brazil inflation - Business - Stocks & economy | NBC ... - 0 views

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    The global rise in food prices, caused by a drought in the US, has increased Brazil's inflation, along with the government trying to put a stop to the currency gains. Due to bad weather conditions, the tomato industry has been affected, and has lead to an increase in the price of tomatoes. With global prices on the rise, there is less want to import goods, but with inflation in Brazil, high food prices all around is hurting its economy. Currency gains are also having a negative affect which is hurting industrial competitiveness. Consumers are finding it difficult to cope with rising food prices and in the short run will mean that a lot of their earnings are being spent on necessities and not spending on luxuries. Low unemployment is pushing up wages, and with interest rates being cut, people will most likely try and save their money.
Silvia Capizzi

UK inflation falls to 2.5% despite rising fuel costs | Business | guardian.co.uk - 0 views

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    Although fuel costs throughout the UK are rising, UK's inflation has fallen to 2.5% in September from 2.6% in August. It is expected that the rising costs for fuel would cause firms to increase prices as their costs of production are increasing, resulting in cost-push inflation. Instead, lower prices for clothes, furniture, and household services have offset the increase in fuel costs. Furthermore, this decline in costs of food, clothes, and household good has eased the rise in travel fares.  This significant decrease in prices for foods, clothes, and household goods was caused by an incredible decrease in consumer demand during the recession in the UK.    
Mor Ovadia

Canada Inflation Slows 2nd Month in August on Natural Gas - Bloomberg - 0 views

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    This article states that Canada's inflation rate has unexpectedly slowed for a second month this past August, meaning a disinflation is taking place. The consumer price index in Canada rose 1.2% in August from a year ago compared to a 1.3% gain in July, showing a slowing down in the rate of inflation. This has reduced pressure for the Bank of Canada governor to raise interest rates. Normally, when a country's price levels are increasing and inflation is taking place, banks are encouraged to increase interest rates. Increasing them make it more profitable for consumers to borrow less and invest more, resulting in a decrease in consumption and therefore a decrease in AD. This will lower price levels in the country in the long run, solving or reducing the problem of inflation.
Rafael Proeglhoef

Who cares about the price of onions? - 0 views

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    India's investors and some politicians want the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to lower its interest rates so that more firms could invest in capital goods in the country. This would increase investment, which in turn would shift aggregate demand to the right and lead to GDP growth. RBI however argues that lowering the interest rates could cause inflation to go up, which in turn would have a great effect on India's lower class citizens. The RBI also argues that interest rates are not very high at the moment, and blame the lack of investment in 'bad governance and lack of reforms'. If the RBI lowered the interest rates and investment did not increase much as they argue, while inflation goes up, many poor people would suffer in the process as they wouldn't be able to buy as many essential goods such as food. This would cause a movement along the aggregate demand curve as price level goes up. On the other hand, from an investor's perspective this would be the best way to generate economic growth, which would benefit the country as a whole if it led to more investment on capital goods.
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    Investors in India are asking the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for lower interest rates, so that more can be invested in order to accelerate the country's growth rate (which has been decelerating). However, the RBI is concerned that this could lead to an increase in inflation (which is already high) as AD would increase, causing the country to produce beyond its full level of employment, meaning that price levels would raise more than RGDP proportionally (demand pull inflation). The RBI believes that people are more concerned with inflation as it causes the price of food to go up, affecting poor families. However, there is a possibility that growth is of more importance to Indians when looking at the country's economic performance. Other factors such as an increase in oil prices and a poor-monsoon could drive food prices even higher. As result the Indian RBI must be very cautious whether it will be worth lowering interest rates.
Isabelle Cole

Brazil sees tax breaks on household goods easing inflation | Reuters - 0 views

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    At the moment globally there has been a spike in food prices. One of the causes has been the severe droughts in the United states which have driven up the food prices. In response to this inflation the government of Brazil decided to reduce taxes on basic household goods to support an economic recovery. This action also leads to stabler prices, which is one of the macro-economic goals of a country. The tax break on household goods allows for a increase in consumption as consumers will feel wealthier and have an increase in purchasing power. As a result this will increase Brazil's GDP to a certain extent as Consumption is one of the factors that influence the gross national product. 
Katharina Metzdorff

Wage hikes put pressure on inflation - Business News | IOL Business | IOL.co.za - 0 views

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    This is a classic example of cost-push inflation. The supply costs are increasing (in this case the workers wages) which means that SRAS shifts to the left, as less is being is being supplied. Firms hire less workers or produce less because of the high costs. As a result, price levels rise, unemployment levels rise and the real gross domestic product falls. This is also obvious because, if workers go on strike as mentioned in the article, then they are producing less goods, meaning that GDP obviously decreases. This could turn into an inflationary spiral. This spiral is because, when wages are increased for purposes such as to pay or rent or everyday goods, the firms also demand higher prices, which causes those who buy from them to charge more too. This is what causes the cycle to begin. Otherwise it could get to a point where currency becomes worthless.
Rafael Proeglhoef

Who cares about the price of onions? - 0 views

Investors in India are asking the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for lower interest rates, so that more can be invested in order to accelerate the country's growth rate (which has been decelerating). ...

Inflation India Growth Food Prices Price

started by Rafael Proeglhoef on 23 Sep 12 no follow-up yet
winstonreid

BBC News - UK inflation rate rises in July, ONS says - 0 views

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    The increase of the inflation rate is due to a price rise in housing costs and air fares. As rents increased, the over all consumer price index rose "followed by alcohol and tobacco, food, restaurants, and leisure". Cost-push inflation is currently going on in the UK as wages are not rising as quickly as prices for goods and services. UK has frozen both council tax and fuel tax and reduced income tax. Bank of England but its groth forecast to zero. The Bank is cutting intrest rates to get consumers buying again. Lowering tax and intrest rates will help consumers have more money in their pockets and, therefore, more to spend
Amelie Spaniol

German retail sales drop unexpectedly in July | Reuters - 0 views

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    The article explains how the German retail sales decreased by 0.9 percent in July, as a result of the increasing fuel prices.  The inflated prices of fuel have caused the consumption on other goods and services of households in Germany to decrease. Consumption is one of the four factors that affects the aggregate demand or the total demand for final goods and services in an economy at a given time and price level, in an economy. Therefore, if consumption of households decreases the aggregate demand in an economy also decreases. Hence, the aggregate demand in Germany's economy has decreased significantly and therefore their retail sales have also decreased, by 0.9 percent as the article claims. This is because if consumption is lower than the units of output sold are also lower. 
Clara Gannon

BBC News - UK recession less deep than thought - 0 views

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    Data shows that contraction in the UK has not dropped by as much as it was expected to, so could this mean that they are reaching a trough and the recession is coming to an end? Inflation is down and unemployment is falling, although the productive capacity of the economy has been affected because of a shift to part-time work. The UK  has had a flat economy over the past two years, so the lower than expected changes in GDP do not change that it is in a recession. 
Tania Plan

Irelands employment rate increases, despite 'tide of emigration' - 0 views

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    Ireland's high current unemployment rate of 14.9 percent is a result from its economic situation : Ireland is in a recession. The article clearly stipulates this, there is a 'recession in the real domestic economy'. The recession arose from the housing bubble : mortgages were cheap, people overborrowed and then the high housing prices fell so that people were less wealthy and no longer able to pay their mortgages. Wealth is a determinant of AD. It is the added value of all assets or stocks. If wealth or perceived wealth increases, then so will a household's consumption of goods, thereby shifting demand, as the household feels 'wealthier' or able to purchase more. The reverse is also the case, when wealth declines, demand declines, such as in Ireland. The Irish were much less willing to consume goods, as they believed they were less wealthy or had less money( which they eventually did , upon having to pay mortgages; debt), and so consumption decreased, which thus shifted aggregate demand into a demand slide recession. This is a situation where prices in a nation inflate and output decreases, due to the lesser demand. If less is being produced, less factors of production are required. Thus labor, a major factor of production is no longer required in the economy, which gives firms the incentive to lay off many of their workers. This is the unemployment Ireland is experiencing. It is interesting that the article also depicts the  'austerity drive'  that the Irish government resulted to in the recession.  As it correctly suggests, this is 'self defeating', as during a demand slide recession the Keynesian policy follows that the government should not save its funding, but rather spend. In a time of recession, the government should spend,  so as to decrease unemployment stimulate the economy. If the government spends, this will have a multiplier effect through the economy, as it provides income to households ( by spending, the government employs labor), where househo
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