Economic factors Flashcards
What is GDP and what does it measure?
Gross Domestic Product
Measures the value of all goods and services produced in an entire economy over a period of time.
What is a recession?
Negative growth in the economy in 2 consecutive quaters
What are the 2 types of taxes?
Indirect and direct
What are strategic decisions often centered on?
Investment
When are businesses most likely to invest in their business?
- GDP growth will be positive - higher future demand
- Business taxes are low - costs are lower and keep more profits
What are exchange rates?
The price of one currency against another
Who are high exchange rates good for?
Importers of goods
Who are high exchange rates bad for?
Exporters of goods
Who are low exchange rates bad for?
Importers of goods
Who are low exchange rates good for?
Exporters
Why may exchange rates have no impact on strategy?
Exchange rate fluctauations are short term and strategies are long term
What is inflation?
A sustained rise in the average level of prices over a period of time.
How is inflation measured in the UK and how does it work?
CPI - Consumer Price Index.
This takes a typical basket of goods to measure their total price on each calander month.
The prices are then compared with the same calander month last year to give an annual inflation rate.
What % of inflation does the government aim for?
2%
Why is high inflation considered to be one of the worst things that can happen to an economy?
- Undermines the value of money
- Making businesses and consumers uncertain about the future
- Confidence falls
- Confidence is the key to economic growth
Why is controlled inflation considered to be good for an economy?
- Inflation means rising prices
- Rising prices stems from higher demand
- Higher demand reflects economic growth
Why is deflation considered to be really bad for an economy?
It tends to imply stagnation/recession
What sector of the economy benefits from inflation and why?
Borrowers because you end up playing relativley less than you borrowed
What are the 2 ways used to manage an economy?
- Fiscal policy
- Monetary policy
What is fiscal policy?
Fiscal policy is the means by which a government adjusts its spending levels and tax rates to monitor and influence a nation’s economy.
What does the government do if they want to boost the economy?
Expand fiscal policy by spending more
May raise taxes or borrow more money
What does the government do if they want to slow down the economy?
Cut spending - called austerity