Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Economy

Working Capital

Working capital is equal to current assets minus current liabilities.

Liquidity Ratios

Current Ratio

The current ratio is equal to current assets divided by current liabilities.

Quick Ratio (Acid-Test)

The quick ratio (acid-test) is found by dividing the most liquid current assets (cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable) by current liabilities.

Accounts Receivable Turnover

The accounts receivable turnover is found by dividing net credit sales (if not available, then total sales) by the average accounts receivable.

Average accounts receivable is typically found by adding the beginning accounts receivable to the ending accounts receivable and dividing by 2.

Average Collection Period

The average collection period is found by... Continue reading "Financial Ratio Analysis" »

The 7Ps of Marketing

1. Product

A product, whether tangible goods or intangible services, is offered to customers to satisfy their needs. Market research helps businesses determine the right products to produce and sell, impacting customer perception and business success.

2. Price

Price is the amount required to purchase a product. Determining price involves considering factors like cost, customer willingness to pay, value, and utility. A balanced price avoids negatively impacting demand or profitability.

3. Place

Place ensures the right product reaches potential buyers at the right location and time. Effective distribution strategies focus on accessible locations for target consumers.

4. Promotion

Promotion encompasses marketing communication used... Continue reading "7Ps of Marketing: Enhance Your Business Strategies" »

Business Concepts

What is a Business?

A business is an organization that strives for a profit by providing goods and services desired by its customers.

Goods

Tangible items manufactured by businesses.

Demographics

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are people born during the demographic post-World War II baby boom, approximately between the years 1946 and 1964.

Generation X

Please provide information about Generation X.

Generation Y

Please provide information about Generation Y.

Economic Systems

Capitalism

Economic system based on competition in the marketplace and private ownership of the factors of production.

Communism

Economic system characterized by government ownership of virtually all resources, all markets, and economic decision-making by the central government.... Continue reading "Introduction to Business Concepts" »

Promotion: The Key to Increased Sales

The final and crucial factor that helps to increase sales and marketing effectiveness is promotion. Promotion is the method of communication by which the marketer provides information about the product. It includes advertisements, personal selling, word-of-mouth publicity, etc. For example, the Apple iPhone is promoted on TV, social media, etc.

E-commerce Pricing Strategies

Many online retail businesses use one of three popular strategies to set product prices: cost-based, competitor-based, and value-based.

Cost-Based Pricing

Cost-based pricing, or as it is sometimes called, cost-plus pricing, may be the most popular pricing model in the retail industry. Its greatest advantage is simplicity. It permits a store,... Continue reading "Effective Marketing Strategies and Pricing Models" »

International Market Selection: A Systematic Approach

Expansive Approach

Firms gradually move into international markets, starting with markets similar to their domestic market. This approach reduces perceived risk and information requirements.

• Lower cultural distance: increased confidence
• Lower costs associated with unfamiliar markets

Screening Approach

Involves systematically filtering the global market using criteria to identify the most suitable market for the firm.

Aim: Identify the market with the greatest marketing opportunity.

Stages of Screening Approach

Stage 1: Initial Screening

Objective: Identify national markets for further analysis.

Stage 2: Analysis of Potential Sales for an Industry in Country

Consider:

• Forecast of future sales
• Minimum scale
• Transport

1. Raw Materials and Services Defined

   • Raw materials are basic products.
   • Services refer to technical support.

2. Understanding Industrial Products

   An industrial product is defined as the combination of tangible and intangible aspects.

3. Industrial Product Development Process

   The process to develop new industrial products includes:

   1. Idea Generation
   2. Idea Screening
   3. Concept Development and Testing
   4. Business Analysis
   5. Product Development
   6. Market Testing
   7. Commercialization

4. Distribution Channel Decisions

   A distribution channel decision consists of determining the type and number of middlemen.

   • In the cardboard case, it was suggested to combine all distribution channels.
   • Distribution channels in industrial markets should be responsible for selling and promoting the products.

5. Total

Financial Intermediation

1. In direct financing, the lender… Trades money for the financial claim of the borrower
2. Which of the following is an example of indirect financing? … An SSU purchasing a financial claim from a commercial bank
3. Denomination intermediation is best exemplified by… issuing five $3,000 CDs and making one $15,000 loan
4. Maturity intermediation is best associated with… receiving funds in six-month CDs and offering thirty-year mortgage loans
5. All of the following are benefits provided by financial intermediaries, except: elimination of default risk

The Federal Reserve

6. Which of the following is not one of the original goals of the Federal Reserve? Maintaining the value of the U.S. dollar relative to gold
7. Which of the following are

                 1.Describe the three functions of Money.

The three functions of money are:

a) medium of exchange: deposits in bank accounts from which depositors may make withdrawals by writing checks

b) unit of account: measures prices and value

c)  store of value: a means of holding wealth

                 2.Briefly describe how banks function and how they make a profit.

Banks remain in business by taking on deposits, and giving out loans from those deposits. The interest they receive on those loans has to be higher than the interest they pay on deposits in order to make a profit and continue to operate.

                 3.Briefly explain how banks make money.

In fractional reserve banking, money... Continue reading "eww" »

Does the Purchase of Government Debt by Monetary Authorities Enhance Macroeconomic Policy?

Yes, this is actually what happened in the aftermath of the financial crisis that led central banks (CBs) to buy large amounts of public debt. The explanation is as follows:

Impact of Central Bank Debt Purchases on Liquidity

When the CB buys a large amount of government debt, it implies a higher volume of liquidity injected into the economy. Once the volume of liquidity is such that the interest rate market hits the lower bound of the corridor (deposit rate), further injection of liquidity (quantity) allows them to also control the interest rate (price). The internal market will not fall further as the CB dominates all other aspects of the economy, and the... Continue reading "Central Bank Debt Purchases: Impact on Monetary Policy" »