Posted: May 7th, 2015

1. Find the statistics for the current (first quarter 2015 numbers) ; Consumer Price Index , GDP

1. Find the statistics for the current (first quarter 2015 numbers) ; Consumer Price Index , GDP
growth rate, unemployment rate ( past month), real interest rate, currency, GDP per capita and
inflation rate.  give the best outlook of the current US economy. At what point in
the business cycle  we are and why so.
Article 1 : http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/28/business/28reuters-usa-economyconfidence.
html?ref=business
2.  1. How does this affect the Aggregate Demand Curve? Draw the change in the
equilibrium GDP.
Article 2: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/business/economy/2-inflation-rate-target-isquestioned-
as-fed-policy-panel-prepares-to-meet.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-
2&action=click&contentCollection=Business%20Day&region=Footer&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=
false&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article
3. Read article 2 Why is the target inflation rate 2%? What is the basis of the political argument
against higher inflation? Why are the conservatives against it? Do you agree with Stanley
Fischer? Why or Why not?
Article 4: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/upshot/how-a-rising-dollar-is-creating-trouble-foremergingeconomies.
html?action=click&contentCollection=The%20Upshot&region=Footer&configSection=article
&isLoggedIn=false&moduleDetail=undefined&pgtype=Multimedia&abt=0002&abg=1
4. Read article 4 above. Draw the equilibrium Demand and Supply for Brazil and explain in words
as well as using the graph how an increase in interest rates in the United States could affect the
economy of Brazil.
Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1qOba5FjwU
Econ 190-04
5. Watch the video link above. List at least 4 austerity measures that were implemented in Greece.
What is the current economic condition (GDP, unemployment, inflation)? What is the economic
argument that the bailouts did not work. List at least two monetary policies that are
recommended and explain the issues there are going to be faced with each one of them.
Remember that any monetary policy of Spain affects the rest of Europe due to the one currency
Euro.