Readers Question: Which Financial Institutions are most exposed to a recession in the UK? A recession in the UK could hit several financial institutions quite hard. This is because of the nature of the current economic downturn which is likely to be focused around the previously booming housing market and service sector. In the 1981 …
The UK economy in 2016 is emerging from a long period of economic stagnation and the recession of 2008-12, and has some positive signals of growth, low inflation and falling unemployment. However, the UK chancellor has been giving mixed signals. On the one hand he has pointed out that UK has one of the strongest …
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 …
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 …
Readers Question: Who really is a global funds manager? A global funds manager is person who looks after different investment trusts / pension funds. He will decide where and how to invest the fund of money in different markets. Individuals with savings may wish to seek better returns than just saving in a bank with …
A look at the different economic factors that determine the price of gold Essentially the price of gold is determined by: Supply of gold Demand for use in goods such as jewellery. Speculative demand to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. In early August 2011, gold touched $1,716.19. Adjusted for inflation, the record gold price …
A reader on twitter asked – How has government borrowing helped me recently? I’m tempted to paraphrase as – What has borrowing ever done for me? – just so that I can make a reference to Monty Python and the Life of Brian? – And what have the Romans ever done for us? – apart …
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Spain enjoyed rapid economic growth and became the 5th largest EU economy. In particular, the rapid economic growth encouraged a boom in property. In 2006, Spain started building 800,000 new homes – more than Germany, Italy, France and UK combined. (Euro Challenge.org) However, in 2008, Spain was badly affected …