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Microeconomics, 15/e
Campbell R. McConnell, University of Nebraska, Emeritus
Stanley L. Brue, Pacific Lutheran University
Chapter 16 Rent, Interest, and Profit
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Web-Based Questions

Web-Based Questions


  1. Web-Based Question: How high is the real interest rate? The real interest rate is the nominal rate less the rate of inflation. Assume that the consumer price index (CPI) is a proxy for the inflation rate and that 1-year interest rates on Treasury bills represent the nominal interest rate. Find the current CPI at stats.bls.gov/cpi (Percent Changes in CPI for Urban Consumers, unadjusted 12 month ending with the most current month), and then subtract it from the current 1-year U.S. Treasury bill rate, found at www.federalreserve.gov/ (Research and Data; Statistical Releases and Historical Data). Repeat the process for 3 month Treasury bills and the rate of change of the CPI for the past 3 months (compounded annually). Is there a difference between the 3-month and the 12-month real interest rates? If so, why?


  2. Web-Based Question: Corporate profits-which industries are making the most? The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides profit data for various industries in the United States. Go to www.bea.doc. gov/briefrm/tables/ebr7.htm. Based on current figures, which one of the following pairs of industry classifications has the greatest profits: (a) financial or nonfinancial; (b) manufacturing, transportation, wholesale trade, or retail trade; (c) durable goods or nondurable goods? During the past year, which sectors had the largest and smallest percentage increases in profit? Which sectors, if any, experienced losses? What are the implications of the profit changes for expansion or contraction of the particular industries?






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