According to this article, Japan's jobless rate had been steady at 4 percent since November. and the jobs-to-applicants ratio improved to 1.05 in April -- meaning 105 jobs were available for every 100 applicants -- compared with 1.03 in March. this is better than what economists had predicted, as they had expected it to stay flat at 1.03. Household spending also rose, leading the bank of japan to predict that it will be able to increase interest rates within the next two years.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Japan jobless rate hits 9-year low
the article: http://www.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/05/28/japan.economy.reut/index.html
Sunday, May 20, 2007
New fuels for a greener drive
here's the article: http://www.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/05/18/biofuel.environment/index.html
the european union (EU), wants to impose stricter regulations on large car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions. the car companies argue that they should be given greater rewards for following the regulations in a timely manner and that they should be given at least 6 years to make the changes to their cars, based on the amount of time it takes to make those changes.
basically, the car companies want a government subsidy for following the regulations. i understand that it'll be a hard transfer for the companies, and i can see wantng/needing a subsidy for the first couple years, but the benefits outweigh the costs so much, in my opinion, that i would think the automotive industry would want to continue producing hybrids, even if they're more expensive. but then, that's me thinking like a tree hugger and not an econmist, so subsidize away!
also, just an amusing anecdote: i met my new baby cousin for the 1st time today, and i was holding her for a very long time. at one point, after i'd been holding her for about an hour, my great-aunt came over and said "my, my. you've got quite the market on that baby!" and i said, "aunt pat, i think you mean monopoly...cuz market makes no sense..." and then i was sad that i was correcting people in their econ terms...but it's become a bit of a habit, i'm afraid.
the european union (EU), wants to impose stricter regulations on large car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions. the car companies argue that they should be given greater rewards for following the regulations in a timely manner and that they should be given at least 6 years to make the changes to their cars, based on the amount of time it takes to make those changes.
basically, the car companies want a government subsidy for following the regulations. i understand that it'll be a hard transfer for the companies, and i can see wantng/needing a subsidy for the first couple years, but the benefits outweigh the costs so much, in my opinion, that i would think the automotive industry would want to continue producing hybrids, even if they're more expensive. but then, that's me thinking like a tree hugger and not an econmist, so subsidize away!
also, just an amusing anecdote: i met my new baby cousin for the 1st time today, and i was holding her for a very long time. at one point, after i'd been holding her for about an hour, my great-aunt came over and said "my, my. you've got quite the market on that baby!" and i said, "aunt pat, i think you mean monopoly...cuz market makes no sense..." and then i was sad that i was correcting people in their econ terms...but it's become a bit of a habit, i'm afraid.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Dollar's decline could boost some industries
this is the ariticle: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18235574/
the article expounded on the advantages and disadvantages of a falling dollar value as compared to euros. the good thing about the falling dollar is that it may actually boost some industries, tourism, especially, stands to benefit from a weak dollar. the more dollars you get for a euro, the cheaper it is to visit or even study abroad in the U.S. other industries are those that export most goods and those that produce goods in european countries and then turn their profits into dollars, on such company is IBM, which, due to the weak dollar, made a 7% increase on profits as compared to the 4% it would have made had it left its earnings in euros. however, the disadvantages of a weak dollar far outweigh the advantages for the american consumer. not only will travel to europe becoem increasingly expensive, but imported goods from europe will increase as well. and analyists see no sign of a turnaround in the dollar's value anytime soon.
the first thing that came to mind when i read this article was that it's good that everyone from my class is going to visit europe now, because it sounds like it's going to become much harder and more expensive every year. also, i know that a falling dollar is bad, but isn't the fact that more ppl are coming to visit america good? the article mentioned that many europeans can now afford 2nd homes in the U.S., and, while i know that that's not enought to revitalize the economy, it's a positive influence, right?
the article expounded on the advantages and disadvantages of a falling dollar value as compared to euros. the good thing about the falling dollar is that it may actually boost some industries, tourism, especially, stands to benefit from a weak dollar. the more dollars you get for a euro, the cheaper it is to visit or even study abroad in the U.S. other industries are those that export most goods and those that produce goods in european countries and then turn their profits into dollars, on such company is IBM, which, due to the weak dollar, made a 7% increase on profits as compared to the 4% it would have made had it left its earnings in euros. however, the disadvantages of a weak dollar far outweigh the advantages for the american consumer. not only will travel to europe becoem increasingly expensive, but imported goods from europe will increase as well. and analyists see no sign of a turnaround in the dollar's value anytime soon.
the first thing that came to mind when i read this article was that it's good that everyone from my class is going to visit europe now, because it sounds like it's going to become much harder and more expensive every year. also, i know that a falling dollar is bad, but isn't the fact that more ppl are coming to visit america good? the article mentioned that many europeans can now afford 2nd homes in the U.S., and, while i know that that's not enought to revitalize the economy, it's a positive influence, right?
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