...Analysis of the Macroeconomic Environment within the Health-Care and Automobile Industries Abstract This report discusses macroeconomic factors that impact both the automotive and health-care industries. Interest rates, consumer price index (CPI), consumer confidence, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), wage rates, and inventory levels impact the macroeconomic environment to influence these industries in the short run. Consumption as a percentage of the GDP depicted in table 1 indicates a continuous declined in consumer spending from 2005 through 2010 and suggests that consumers are becoming more conservative with disposable income spent on elective health-care products and procedures as-well-as new vehicle purchases. As the nominal interest rates indicate in table 2, the FED attempted to encourage consumer spending by decreasing the interest rates to encourage expansionistic economic activity, which would also be a positive influencing factor for both the health-care and automotive industries. The automobile industry is volatile by nature and heavily influence by macroeconomic factors, while the health-care industry enjoys an inelastic environment. Macroeconomic factors influence the health-care industry, it is unlikely essential health-care demand will decrease in the short term; however, elective health-care products and services will likely suffer as will new vehicle purchases as consumers remain conservative. The future is not as bleak as one might anticipate. The automotive...
Words: 2478 - Pages: 10
...that all material in this coursework which is not my own work has been acknowledged and I am fully aware of the consequences of plagiarism. Signed | For Academic Registrar use only | Outline Introduction 3 I. Analyses of Key Macroeconomic Indicators 3 1. Growth Rate 4 2. Productivity growth 5 3. Output Gap 6 4. Unemployment Rate 6 5. Inflation Rate 8 6. Trade 8 II. Interrelationships between key macroeconomic indicators 9 1. Growth and Unemployment, Okun's Law 9 2. Inflation-Unemployment Tradeoffs, the Philip curve 10 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 11 Introduction Over the years a great deal of works have been devoted to improve the economic performance of one of the sub-Saharan African country, located in the territory of Northern Rhodesia, Zambia. The country gained independence from the British in 1964, and started to operate and be counted as a separate economy. This empirical study analyses the available annual data on key macroeconomic indicators of Zambia for the period from 2000 to 2012 years, and explains the interrelation between these indicators with the help of important macroeconomic theories. I. Analyses of Key Macroeconomic Indicators As it is noted in macroeconomic textbooks, the nation's overall macroeconomic performance matters, not its own sake but because many individuals experience its consequences. The assumption that these connections between the overall economy and the lives of individuals are reflected in data...
Words: 2244 - Pages: 9
...Macroeconomic aspects for defensive stock investing In the past decade, the stock market has had many ups and downs and private investors perceive stock investing more and more speculative and unpredictable. Part of this perception roots from the general trend towards computerized high frequency trading, which in 2010 accounted for up to 70 % of all trades made in the market. High frequency trading is done by mega computers which are programmed to take advantage of the slightest changes in the stock price by buying and selling within fractions of a second. Those programs pay no regard to the actual social and economic value of the company. Trends like that and criminal like actions by almost all major banks around the world (including inside trading, misinformation of customers, ruthless risk taking, etc. which lead to the worldwide economy crisis in 2008) leave private investors with the feeling that they get betrayed and can’t keep up with the rapid stock market. They might think that stocks are not a good investment tool for private investors anymore. However, statistics show that stocks measured over any ten-year time period for the last 75 years, have yielded a higher return than conservative investments in bonds or bank certificates of deposit (Kelly, 2007). For the mentioned and several other reasons, one still should consider using stocks as an investing tool. Consequently, if you can’t win the very short term, high frequency trading game, you might want to play a different...
Words: 1897 - Pages: 8
...Executive Summary Economic indicators are statistics put out by government agencies and some private companies to provide measurements for evaluating the health of the economy, the latest business cycles and consumers spending behavior and patterns. Various economic indicators are released daily, weekly, monthly and/or quarterly which can result in an enormous amount of data to go through. Post-Secondary colleges and universities rather than wade through all data reports and economic indicators can select a few macroeconomic indicators to assist in meeting the challenges of the market to provide a quality and competitively priced education. Significant indicators used in this paper to aid in the decision making process for sustainability and growth for post-secondary education are inflation, the unemployment rate, interest rates and consumer confidence. This topic is of interest because for the past 35 years holding a four-year college degree has given workers a distinct advantage in the U.S. labor market. There is usually a large wage gap between college-educated working adults and those with high school degrees. With technological advances in the workplace and a growing reliance on computers, skilled workers are needed to apply for these technological positions. However, based on new trends the U.S. labor market now favors workers who hold a graduate degree (Valletta, 2015). It is because of these new trends we want to focus on the need for quality education and economic factors...
Words: 1797 - Pages: 8
...A Macroeconomic Outlook for AutoEdge Phase 1 Individual Project ECON616-1402B-03 Applied Managerial Economics Lorena LaRue Jenson Hagen, CPA, MFA Colorado Technical University May 25, 2014 Abstract After a task of completing the most important factors for the relocation of AutoEdge from their current location, there is further research required by Lester Scholl to identify additional aspects regarding the economy of both respective countries, United States and South Korea. The board was appreciative of the last presentation being performed and requires additional information to achieve the decision required for the success of the facility. This information required by the organization contains facts concerning the gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment, interest rates, and inflation for both countries. They desire the information to be current within six months, so the organization can make the best decision possible for AutoEdge (CTU, 2014). Utilizing the economic factors of an organization will present the future for the organization and assist with the processes required to make the business a success. A Macroeconomics Outlook for AutoEdge Within the process of business in our current society, there are many issues one must face, especially when participating in global business expansion practices. In the case of AutoEdge, there have been issues affecting the progress and growth of the organization because of international business issues in the selected...
Words: 3157 - Pages: 13
...Business Proposal and Peer Review Feedback Chris Cook ECO/561 March 17, 2014 Willard Berry Business Proposal and Peer Review Feedback Week Four Revision Several areas in the economic analysis for Sony's virtual feedback harness require update. The first area is the method to determine the profit maximizing quantity. Profit is maximized, or loss minimized, at the output at which marginal revenue (or price in pure competition) equals marginal cost, provided that price exceeds average variable cost (McConnell, Brue, & Flynn, 2009, p. 189). To determine these factors, Sony must quantify resource demands as well as optimum product price. When Sony launched the Playstation 4 it cost $381 to manufacture. Sony sold the product at $399, only $18 above the manufacturing cost (Hesseldahl, 2013). Profit on this product was almost at maximum levels before the product launched. However, Sony's strategy considered the profit gained from sales of software and gaming accessories as critical to the products overall success. Sony was willing to sell the game system at a loss because of the expected profits in the ancillary market (Hesseldahl, 2013). The feedback harness would follow the same plan as the game system itself because the true profit comes from sales of new games that support this new technology. Each succeeding game system requires the purchase of new software as new systems will not support previous versions of games. The second area requiring update is the selected...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
...Goals of Macroeconomics Macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. Macroeconomics is concerned with such major aggregates as the household, business, and government sectors; in addition to measures of the economy such as inflation rates etc. Macroeconomic Issues The macroeconomic issues that will be examined during this course are: 1) Economic Growth (change in the level of output) a) An outward shift in the PPC (production possibilities curve) due to an increase in the quantity or quality resources. b) An increase of real output (gross domestic product) or real output per capita. NB: Gross domestic product is the market value of all final goods and services produced within an economy for a given period. 2) Unemployment: The failure of an economy to fully utilise its entire labour force. 3) Inflation: A rise in the general level of prices in an economy. 4) The Balance of Payments: A summary of all the transactions that took place between the individuals, firms and government units of one nation and those of all other nations during a year. 5) Exchange Rates: The rate of exchange of one nation’s currency for another nation’s currency. A foreign firm would look at some key macroeconomic indicators so as to inform its decision as to whether or not it should invest in a particular country. These key macroeconomic indicators are: 1. Real Gross Domestic Product (Real GDP) 2. The unemployment rate 3. The inflation...
Words: 1712 - Pages: 7
...Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh Tel: 880-2-812-4770, 9141734 Ext-147 E-mail: moazzem@cpd.org.bd Received: December 17, 2010 Accepted: February 27, 2011 doi:10.5539/ijbm.v6n7p86 Abstract Over the last few years, the capital market of Bangladesh has witnessed a haughty growth which is not in line of development in the real sector of the economy. Although, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Bangladesh has tried to correct the irregular behavior observed in the market, very often it is argued that lack of proper and firm decisions from the regulator’s side has contributed to make the market more unstable rather than to reduce it. The paper attempts to identify the casual relationship between the observed volatility in the country’s major bourses namely the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the regulatory decisions taken by the SEC empirically. Using Vector Auto-regressive (VAR), statistically highly significant relationship was found between decisions taken by the regulatory authority and market volatility, although the direction of causality is in reverse order than theoretically and empirically expected. Again, though the number of decisions taken by the SEC immediately, with longer time the response was in opposite direction than expected. Keywords:...
Words: 5574 - Pages: 23
...Macro economic indicators of Bangladesh economy Introduction The Bangladesh economy has experienced both macro-economic stability and robust economic growth following the transition to a democratic rule in the early of 1990s. In the backdrop of the deep macro-economic crisis of the late 1980s, a series of stabilization measures were introduced in the Bangladesh economy which largely restored macro-economic stability in the early 1990s. Economic growth in Bangladesh averaged 6.3 percent during financial year (FY) 04-07. The economy has once again proved its resilience in achieving stronger than expected growth despite having to contend with the adverse effects of unfavorable weather conditions in financial year (FY) 04, the subsequent sharp price increase in oil and other essential imported commodities and periods of political unrest and uncertainty. Sustained gross domestic production (GDP) growth coupled with strong growth in exports and remittance has led to a marked improvement in the fiscal and balance of payments position and substantial improvements in the economic fundamentals necessary for macroeconomic stability. However, the rise in the inflation rate and further evidence of income inequality have tempered growth's direct impact on the quality of life. Macro Economic indicators In the past decade, Bangladesh enjoyed a positive growth rate in GDP and other macro economic indicators. As the most densely populated country in the world, Bangladesh is facing the...
Words: 3102 - Pages: 13
...Levitt Product Purchased and the Economy Economic Indicators “A piece of economic data, usually of macroeconomic scale, it is used by investors to interpret current or future investment possibilities and judge the overall health of an economy” divided in two types, leading and lagging. Leading indicators are those that predict future trends, they are not accurate though, while lagging indicators reflect the historical performances and changes before the economy starts to follow a trend. Inventory Levels is considered a one of the leading economic indicators, meaning that changes in a variable such as business inventories can lead to changes in the future condition of the economy. High inventory levels can reflect two different things: either that demand for inventory is expected to increase or that there is a current lack of demand (Smith, 2015). On the other hand, there is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) a lagging economic indicator that is used to measure the price levels of consumer goods, and reflects inflation. Smith (2015) says “A high rate of inflation may erode the value of the dollar more quickly than the average consumer’s income can compensate. This, thereby, decreases consumer purchasing power, and the average standard of living declines. Moreover, inflation can affect other factors, such as job growth, and can lead to decreases in the employment rate and GDP”. With these economic indicators in mind, supply and demand for consumer durables can be measured...
Words: 1298 - Pages: 6
...of competition 3.2.4 The PESTEL framework 3.2.5 National Innovation Systems 3.2.6 Varieties of Capitalism Framework 2.2 Data Collection 3. The IT Industry 3.1. Description of the IT-Industry 4. Country Comparison 4.1 Macro- Level Indicators 4.1.1 Geographic Indicators 4.1.2 Demographic Indicators 4.1.3 Macro- Economic Indicators 4.2 Historical Developments relevant to the IT industry 4.3 Socio Cultural Conditions 4.3.1 Cultural Systems 4.3.2 Level of Education 4.3.3 Labor Market Regulations 4.3.4 Protectionism of Intellectual Property 4.3.5 Tax Regulations 4.4 Market/ Industry Conditions 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers and Subsidiaries 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.4.3 Threats of New Entrants 4.4.4 Competitive Rivalry 4.5 Other Contextual Conditions 4.5.1 Related and Supporting Industries 5. Major Findings of Comparison 5.1 Conclusion 5.2 Trends 5.3 Recommendation 1. Introduction In general, factbooks are conducted by decision makers within the fields of business and politics in order to gain insights about present-, as well as future conditions and trends in a specific country or country set. Therefore, factbooks can be considered as a sort of business tool, which supplies relevant information about a country´s business environment and if it´s in accordance with a particular company or industry. The essence...
Words: 8556 - Pages: 35
...Key Concept Explanation Forecasting is defined as actively predicting a future event or condition, Many forecasting decision or methods or informal such as a gut feeling or intuition, recent experiences, rule of thumb, advice from a friend or friends, or a combination but some use models and math mathematical methods. Since forecasting informal methods can be highly subjective, those utilized by government or business need to be more formal as informal approaches may problematic and untainted. More systematic methods are often employed as business and government forecasting approaches need to be made in the interest of the public, community or business (McCalman, 2012) This topic was chosen for academic as well professional interest as correct and accurate forecasting can serve as great cost saving methods or revenue generator for an organization. Article Review & Comparison McCalman defines forecasting as the prediction of future events comparing both informal and formal methods both in business and government. The most informal method or formalization discussed by McCalman is forecasting based on most recent observation. Systematic forecasting existing at the opposite extreme uses data and mathematical methods used largely or restricted forty years ago to experts with large computing power. As time has progressed the systematic methods not only utilized technology and data but statistical information and statistical software programs, which has opened forecasting...
Words: 1624 - Pages: 7
...1. Introduction Bangladesh faces the challenge of achieving accelerated economic growth and alleviating the massive poverty that afflicts nearly two-fifths of its 135 million population. Strategies for meeting this challenge have included a shift away from state-bureaucratic controls and industrial autarky towards economic liberalization and integration with the global economy. These policy reforms were initiated in the mid-1980s against the backdrop of serious macroeconomic imbalances, caused in part by the declining level of foreign aid and in part by a preceding episode of severe deterioration in the country’s terms of trade. The policy reforms in the 1980s included the withdrawal of food and agricultural subsidies, privatization of state-owned enterprises, financial liberalization, and withdrawal of quantitative import restrictions. The beginning of the 1990s saw the launching of a more comprehensive reform program, which coincided with a transition to parliamentary democracy from a semi-autocratic rule. These later reforms were particularly aimed at moving towards an open economy – such as making the currency convertible on the current account, reducing import duties generally to much lower levels, and removing virtually all controls on the movements of foreign private capital. Besides, fiscal reforms were undertaken including the introduction of the value-added tax. During the 1990s, notable progress was made in economic performance. Along with maintaining economic...
Words: 7698 - Pages: 31
...only company that rents apartments within the town. They currently have a vacancy rate of 28 percent. The principles of macroeconomics as well as microeconomics can help them understand and decrease the vacancy rate to 15 percent. It is important for the company to understand the shifts in the supply and demand curves. The rental company can be more successful if they know when to raise or lower the rent. Understanding that economics plays a large role in everyone’s environment will help people and companies be more successful.. Supply and Demand Simulation In the simulation, it is made apparent how often people must deal with the principles of macroeconomics and microeconomics. Every single person is affected by supply and demand. Understanding these aspects of economics will allow people to have a better grasp on the when’s, why’s, and where’s of making purchases in their everyday lives. In addition, understanding the price elasticity of demand can also help a person to understand the importance of how lower and higher demand can have a direct impact on prices. Macro and Microeconomic Principles Supply and demand are the two microeconomic principles that appear in this simulation. When discussing the rental apartments in Atlantis, the simulation discusses the supply and demand associated with them. Macroeconomic principles also appear in the simulation. These principles relate more to the adjustments occurring in the population flow...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
...Introduction All economic problems arise from scarcity because human wants are unlimited but resources are limited. Economics the science of choice, it is talking about how individuals and societies make a choice from the scarcity. All economic choices can be summarized in three questions: What gets produced? How is it produced? Who gets what is produces? Economists define their work in micro and macro perspective. Microeconomics and Macroeconomics are the two major branches of economics. What is Microeconomics? Microeconomics is the study of how households and firms make decisions and how they interact in markets. So all these problems belong to microeconomics: how the consumer reacts when price changes; how the firms decide the output level and how they decide the production method; how should the firms charge their product prices. Microeconomics also considerate the demand and supply of individual goods and services and the equilibrium occurs when the quantity of demands are equal to the quantity of supplies. A typical example of microeconomics is a mobile phone manufacturer decides to charge what price of their new model of smart phone depends on the demand of the mobile markets. A number of factors would affect the demand of the mobile phone including the price of the product itself, the income of the consumer, the consumer’s amount of accumulated wealth, the price of other competitor’s product, the consumer’s tastes and preferences and the expectations...
Words: 1205 - Pages: 5
