Notes 2 Flashcards
Unit labor cost
w x l
Y
Compensation =
labor cost per output + output per hour
3.7 = 1.5% + 2.2%
Productivity in Quarter 2
Productivity rose 2.2%
as output growth - 2.4%
exceeded hours worked growth - 0.2%
It is becoming __________ to get additional output from current workers
more difficult
With aggregate demand still rising, firms will have to ___________ hiring in 2012
increase
Hourly compensation
Real Hourly compensation
Hourly compensation - rose 3.7%
real hourly compensation - rose 1.7%
*inflation 2.0%
Growth in ______________ remain weak, giving firms incentive to hire
unit labor costs
Labor?
Labor is relatively inexpensive, leading to higher profits
Since labor is relatively inexpensive
Allows for additional capital for expansion plans to offset tighter credit conditions
wages =
wages = Lcost/unit + output per hour
2nd quarter 2012 wages
2.17% = 0.93% + 1.24%
Increase productivity —–>
increase profits
Price rising ——–> increase profits
Single family housing starts =
535,000
5.5% m/m
29% y/y
Single family permits =
512,000
0.2% m/m
25% y/y
Upward momentum is building for ______________
residential construction
Residential construction should add _______________
0.33% to 2012 GDP growth
Residential Construction Factors:
Large inventory of foreclosed homes
homebuilders are more confident home sales on an upward trajectory
low level “dearth”, new home inventory
rising jobs, income, and confidence
Proxy for new housing demand
“measure”
Growth in construction < Growth in households
S (savings) =
= Sprivate + Spublic
= Y (output) - C (consumers) - G (government)
= Investment
Value of total savings must equal ___________________
value of total investment
In U.S., we have an extremely ______ savings rate
low
Slonable funds
Households willingness to save
Government surplus
Dlonable funds
Profitable investment opportunities
∆technology => increase profitability => increase demand for lonable funds => increase LF exchanged and rate=> increase capital stock
Where does purchasing managers index want to be?
over 50
Purchasing Managers Index
Measures nationwide goods producing business activity
Survey of Business Activity asks:
- increase
- decrease
- or no change in inventories
Diffusion Index
% reporting increasing + 1/2% reporting no change
> 50 expansion
< 50 contraction
Current PMI (purchasing managers index)
51.5
What is the current PMI signaling?
Manufacturing is weak but seems to be stabilizing
Manufacturing is weak but stabilizing:
uncertain fiscal policy and global economic growth will weigh on manufacturers
weak foreign demand
New orders are expanding (52.3) => leading indicator
Inventories are rising slightly (50.5)
Production was slightly contracting (49.5)
employment was up (54.7)
prices paid were up (58.0)
New orders are expanding
52.3 - leading indicator
Inventories are rising slightly
50.5
Production was slightly contracting
49.5
Employment was up
54.7
Prices paid were up
58.0
Leading indicators: Two “gaps” are proxies of future production
- New orders - Inventories = 1.8 (good omen for future production)
- Production - New Orders = -2.8 (foreshadows stronger output)
Business have strongly balance sheets and high profits
Record high “quick ratio” = liquid assets (mostly cash) relative to short term liabilities
Say’s law:
supply creates its own demand
Keynes on why GDP fluctuate in short run
aggregate expenditures (demand) determine supply
Budget constraint: Income + ∆debt =
taxes + interest debt + consumption + savings
future income =
∆debt
20 year average monthly change =
in credit
$6.7 billion
August monthly change =
in credit
$18 billion
20 year average Y-O-Y growth rate =
in credit
7.7%
August Y-O-Y growth rate =
in credit
5.5%
Surging credit due to:
rising non-revolving credit (financing for big ticket items)
rising auto loan and government backed student loans
increase debt => increase spending => ∆Y/Y
Supply side of credit
better access to credit to release pent-up demand
Demand side of credit
better labor market => improving financial positions (ability) => rising consumer confidence (willingness) => credit financed consumption
Full capacity utilization =
82-84%
at Y potential
Unemployment rate = 5%
Capacity utilization = 82-84%
U.R > U.R natural =>
Y < Ypotential
In long run, Ypotential =
f( # workers
K stock
technology
*not Price Level
Ypot =
f( - normal production capacity - full employment)
2 simplifying assumptions of static model
no inflation
no change in long-run aggregate supply
Gross debt 2012 =
$16 trillion
Nominal GDP 2012 =
$16 trillion
Debt-to-GDP 2012 =
103%
More important about debt?
debt relative to economy
Fed. Reserve holds
$1.9 trillion
SS trust bonds / treasury bill =>
$2.9 trillion
Public debt 2012 =
$11.2 trillion
Public debt to GDP 2012:
72.5%