Economy
An economy is the amount of money made and used in a particular country or region. The United States is the world’s biggest economy, accounting for roughly 16% of the global economy. The European Union, which is made up of 27 European countries, is the world’s biggest economic region, accounting for 17% of the world’s economy.
Economics look at a number of factors when considering the relative strength of an economy. One of the main considerations is the gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is a measure of all the goods and services produced in an economy and it is generally calculated on a quarterly and annual basis.
Sustained economic growth positively impacts income, employment levels, consumption, and the overall standard of living. In a strong or growing economy, businesses increase their sales, hire more people, are more confident about the future, and invest more in their companies. Consumers earn more, are more optimistic about the future, and spend more.
In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. reported annual GDP growth of around three percent. Since the 2008 and 2009 recession, U.S. GDP has been more subdued at around 2.2%.
When considering the strength of an economy, economists also look at inflation, interest rates, jobs growth, consumer demand, population growth, standard of living, and social and political factors.
By measuring this data on an annual basis, economists can determine if an economy is expanding or contracting. An economic analysis can also help investors get a general idea of market conditions and possible trends.
Vancouver Home Sales Plunge 94% in August
Only 3 Houses Sold in West Vancouver In a sharp reversal from earlier trends, the Vancouver real estate market plummeted through the month of August. The Canadian city has been a hotspot for home prices in recent years, but it.
Wal-Mart Outlook Suggests Rising Consumer Confidence
Retail Earnings Suggest Consumers Are Feeling Good Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) blamed U.S. consumers when it lowered its guidance for the year, but the Chief Financial Officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is saying something else entirely. Plenty of other retailers.
U.S. Manufacturing Activity Rebounds in August
Manufacturing Index Returns to Positive Territory Manufacturing activity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region rebounded in August, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. On Thursday, the Philadelphia Fed released its Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey for the.
U.S. Jobless Claims Decline Last Week, Report Says
Drops in Insurance Claims Signal Strong Job Market New York, NY — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits in new applications dropped last week, a trend in line with strengthening job market conditions. Initial claims for unemployment benefits, a.
Too Many Expensive Apartments are Vacant in Major U.S. Cities: Report
Luxury Apartments Are Lying Empty For the average American, finding a reasonably priced apartment can seem nearly impossible at times. However, a recent report shows that some apartments, particularly at the luxury end of the spectrum, are absolutely starved for.
Atlanta Fed: Job Switchers Scoring Big Pay Raises
Wage Gains for Job Switchers New York, NY — For the last two decades, economists have been worrying about the lack of wage growth for ordinary Americans. However, recent data shows that people who have changed jobs benefit from outsized.
Bond Prices Gain After Fed Sends Mixed Signals
Bond Investors Taking Cue from Muted Inflation U.S. bonds rallied today after the release of the details of the Fed’s last policy meeting in late July, showing that fixed-income markets are taking these comments as dovish, in contrast to those.
London-based Banks Planning to Leave the U.K.
First Signs of Post-Brexit Fallout It’s been nearly two months since Britain decided to leave the European Union, but signs of inflation are only just starting to show up in the data. Based on this new data, some independent economists.
American Teachers Earn 17% Less Than Comparable Workers
Report: Teacher Pay Gap Widens Recent findings from the Economic Policy Institute suggest that U.S. teachers have suffered greater income losses than other workers elsewhere in the economy. The report looked at wages across a 21-year period. In 1994, teachers.
U.S. Stock Buybacks Stumble to 4-Year Lows
A Bad Sign for Stocks? In an ominous sign for equities, U.S. companies appear to be buying back fewer shares than they have over the last four years. Share buybacks announced for the second quarter fell to their lowest point.
