Many argue that on simple purchasing power parity, the Chinese currency the Renminbi is undervalued by approximately 30%. This is a source of friction in the US, with firms claiming they lose out to a cheap Chinese currency which can undercut US goods. The Chinese government wish to keep the currency undervalued because: A weaker …
Readers Question: Why does the federal reserve buy treasuries? Isn’t that just taking money from one pocket and putting it in another? There are a few reasons the Federal Reserve is buying treasuries. With recession and falling velocity of circulation, the Money supply adjusted for velocity of circulation is showing deflation. Therefore buying Treasures and …
Readers Question: Why do the Government often fail to achieve its main objectives of high economic growth, price stability, and a surplus on the balance of payments. Other objectives worth adding are low unemployment, low government borrowing and maybe stable exchange rate. Looking at the current climate of the UK economy, the government is only …
The US Dollar is often viewed as a safe haven currency. It is still the world’s reserve currency and the thinking is that if the dollar goes bust the rest of the world will be in an even worse situation. Therefore, during the worst of the economic turmoil, the dollar remained relatively strong because investors …
The Chancellor used the Budget speech to cut his growth forecasts. The economy is now expected to contract by 3.5pc this year, but grow 1.25pc in 2010. This would mean growth starting towards the end of this year. The IMF are more pessimistic forecasting negative growth in 2010 of -0.4% (see – slow economic recovery) …
Readers Question: Is there any other political influence on the falling rate of sterling, something like monetary policy or political uncertainty? And why did some news reports say inflation and weak sterling could be helpful to UK economy? Thanks. The value of a currency is primarily influenced by economic factors. E.g. weak sterling can be …
The US dollar surprised many people by retaining its value for a long period during this economic crisis. Despite, 0% interest rates, increasing government debt, and a current account deficit, many were still buying the dollar as it was perceived as ‘relatively safe’ However, the recent plan by US treasury to buy even more assets …
Readers Question: Evaluate policies which a government could adopt in response to falling behind mortgage payments The problems of mortgage defaults are explained here What can the government / monetary authorities do? Cut interest rates. The MPC can cut interest rates as long as inflation is not a problem. However, the government do not set …