1. Measuring the Economy
Economics Pt. 2, Lesson 4

2. Economic Fluctuations
Economics can be complex because there are so many interrelated parts
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): measure of the value of all final goods and services produced in a country in one year
The economy tends to grow over time, but it does not grow at a constant rate
Business cycle: alternating periods of growth and decline
Our economy has many interrelated parts

3. Expansion and Recession
Expansion: when GDP increases; doesn’t matter whether the economy is growing by a lot or a little
Peak: highest point in an expansion
Expansions are normally longer than recessions
Recession: when GDP goes down for six straight months, although many last longer than that
When the economy declines many people lose their jobs or see a reduction in income

4. Unemployment and Fiscal Policy
Unemployment rate: percentage of people in the civilian labor force who are not working but are looking for a job
A 1% drop in the unemployment rate results in a 2% rise in total income in the economy
Fiscal Policy: changes in government spending or tax policies; can be used to try and improve the economy
Tax cuts vs. spending increases; political differences
Tax cuts are one form of fiscal policy

5. Price Stability
Inflation: sustained increase on the general level of prices; gas prices
Rapid inflation hurts the economy because it reduces the purchasing power of money and may alter the decisions people make
Consumer Price Index: govt. samples the prices every month for about 400 products commonly used by consumers to help determine the rate of inflation
Inflation is especially hard on people who are on fixed incomes
Inflation often results in speculation rather than capital investment
What else do high gas prices cause an increase in price in?

6. Stocks Profits come from stocks in two ways
1- dividends: a share of the corporation’s profits that are paid to shareholders
2- capital gain: money gained when stock is sold for more than it cost to buy
A companies stock price is determined by supply and demand; profits, takeovers, actions by competitors, and breakthroughs can affect a stock’s price
Stocks have the potential to generate a large profit, but you can also lose all you investment
New York Stock Exchange

7. Stock Markets
Stock Market Indexes: Dow Jones-Industrial Average, and Standard and Poor’s; give a representative sample of the whole market
Stocks are bought and sold at a stock exchange; most people use a broker
New York Stock Exchange is the largest in US, NASDAQ used by many technology companies
Exchanges are also in Sydney, Tokyo, London, and many more
Bull Market: when investors expect economic growth
Bear Market: when investors expect economic decline
Bull outside Morgan Stanley brokerage offices in NYC; symbol of what?