Business Assignment

Business Assignment.

For each of the economic indicators below, complete the following:

1. Access the indicator web site per the article where indicated
2. Follow the instructions listed below for each indicator to access the data.
3. Fill-in the questions (highlighted in red) for each indicator.
4. Rate each indicator (circle Positive, Neutral, Negative).
5. Total your ratings at the bottom of document.
6. Write a one paragraph analysis of the current state of the economy.

1. GDP – Select the Data icon at the top, then byTopic. Select Gross Domestic Product. Review current quarter data and historical data.

Current quarter GDP % change = ________________

Review the graph.

Rate GDP as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• M2 – Select Current Release menu selection towards top of screen, on left side and review. Scroll to bottom of Table 1 and note the % change of M2 for 3,6 and 12 months

Is the Money Supply increasing?       ______________

Rate Money Supply as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• CPI – Review  CPI News Releases on right, then select HTML and review 12 month change

Change over the last 12 months = _________________

Rate CPI as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• PPI – Select PPI News Releases on left, then HTML and review final demand change for the current period

% change  = ___________________

Rate PPI as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• CCS – as selected

Current Index =

Expectations Index =

Present Situation Index =

Rate CCS as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• CES – Select CES News Releases on left, then HTML and review

What is current unemployment rate = _________________

Scroll down to paragraph on hourly earnings.

What is current average hourly earnings = _______________

Over the year what is the % change in hourly earnings = ___________________

Rate CES as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• Retail Sales – Goodle Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report and select PDF.

What is the current month % change = _______________

What is the total % sales change for year over year = ____________________

Rate Retail Sales as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• Housing Starts – Google New Residential Construction and select PDF and go to Housing Starts

What is the % change in housing starts year over year = _________________

Rate Housing Starts as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

• Manufacturing – Google Manufacturing and Trade Inventories and Sales, then select PDF.

Inventory to Sales Ratio

Measure the efficiency of your inventory by calculating the inventory to sales ratio. In general, you will want to keep this ratio low. If the ratio rises, it indicates either that your sales are falling or that you are keeping too much inventory on hand. (Chron)

What is the Inventory/Sales ratio for the most recent period = ______________-

Review the Inventory/Sales graph

Rate Manufacturing & Inventories as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

1. S&P 500 – Google “S&P 500”, select Year to view data for one year.

What is the current index = ______________

Review the graph for one year

Rate S&P 500 as

Positive          Neutral                       Negative

Total ratings from above

# POSITIVE =

# NEUTRAL =

# NEGATIVE =

Based on your ratings for the indicators, summarize in one paragraph your opinion as to the current state of the economy. Reference data from above in assembling your answer.

Business Assignment

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