Readers Question – When a war brakes out in the middle east, the price of petrol rises, and the price 0f a used Ford Falcon falls why? When a war breaks out in the middle east, there is likely to be disruption to the supply of oil. 50% of our oil comes from the middle …
Quantitative easing is an unorthodox monetary policy aimed at stimulating economic growth and preventing a fall in the money supply. Just to recap, Q.E. involves: Central Bank creating money electronically. Using this extra money to purchase government bonds (and other securities) from banks and financial institutions. Q.E aims to: Increase bank liquidity. When commercial banks …
The money supply is the amount of money in circulation measured by narrow money (MO) and broad money (M4). The money supply can rise if Central Banks print more money. Banks choose to hold a lower liquidity ratio. This means banks will be willing to lend a larger proportion of their funds. An inflow of …
A useful tool for students is the idea of an ‘economist toolkit’. This is essentially a few key ideas that can be used to help answer different questions. Let us consider a question. – Discuss the impact of an increase in interest rates? Macro-Economic Toolkit This question is quite open-ended. First of all, consider the …
Definition of investment: Investment is the addition to Capital Stock of the economy – e.g. factories, machines, or any item that is used to produce other goods and services Note saving money in a bank is not investment in economic terminology The value of capital stock depreciates over time as it wears out and is …
The London housing market is one of the most expensive places in the world. In Sept, 2015, the average London house price is now just under £500,000 (BBC) Since 2013, house prices in London have risen 40%, defying a weak economy and stagnant growth in average earnings. London house prices are 7% higher than the …
Vertical integration occurs when two firms at different stages of production merge. It involves going up or going down the supply chain. Example of vertical integration. Brewery merging with chain of pubs Software supplier merging with Computer firm Coffer grower merging with a coffee retailer such as Nescafe Car firm Renault merging with a tyre …
Competitive devaluation occurs when countries seek to reduce the value of their exchange rate to make their exports cheaper and gain a competitive advantage in world trade over other countries. This may encourage other countries to respond by also devaluing their currency to maintain their own competitive advantage. If countries are making great efforts to …