The optimal inflation rate is often considered to be around 2%. For example: The UK target inflation of 2% +/-1 The ECB target inflation of less than 2% US Federal Reserve target inflation of less than 2% (But from 2020 are likely to make inflation target symmetrical like the UK) Why Central Banks wish to …
The interest rate cycle is closely related to the economic or trade cycle. In theory, movements in interest rates should mirror the economic cycle. If the economy is growing strongly and inflationary pressures increasing – Central Banks will increase interest rates to slow down the economy and prevent inflation. If the economy enters into recession …
When reading economic articles in the past few years, you may frequently come across the reference to the ‘zero lower bound’ or ZLB. What is the Zero Lower Bound rate? In short – when interest rates can’t fall any further below 0% Examples of ZLB UK interest rates were cut to 0.5% in March 2009 …
Organic food is a big growth area for consumer demand. Once thought to be the preserve of the wealthy or eco-eccentrics, organic food is going mainstream with many people from across the spectrum wishing to purchase organic food. Organic farming avoids the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides but relies on more traditional methods of …
Definition of leverage ratio The leverage ratio is the proportion of debts that a bank has compared to its equity/capital. There are different leverage ratios such as Debt to Equity = Total debt / Shareholders Equity Debt to Capital = Total debt / Capital (debt+equity) Debt to Assets = Total debt / Assets Leverage ratios …
Barriers to entry are factors that make it difficult for new firms to enter the market. Barriers to entry will make a market less competitive. If barriers to entry are very high then the market will invariably become a monopoly. Examples of barriers to entry Tap water – Economies of Scale. This means as firms …
A key economic debate is the extent to which should governments intervene in the economy? At one extreme, free-market economists/libertarians, argue that government intervention should be limited to all but the most basic services, such as the protection of private property and the maintenance of law and order. At the other extreme, Marxist economists argue …
Readers Question: Explain the terms monetary policy and fiscal policy and compare the ways in which they influence the UK economy. Monetary Policy Monetary policy involves influencing the supply and demand for money through interest rates and other monetary tools. Monetary policy is usually conducted by the Central Bank, e.g. UK – Bank of England, …