- How do recessions impact firms in general (consider how consumers are impacted and how this may translate to sales/revenue impacts on firms)?
- How might recessions benefit some firms? Consider the Wal-Mart example above. Can you think of companies or industries that may actually thrive during a recession?
- How might firms recover from recessions? Consider the auto industry above. Can you think of companies or industries that emerged from the recession with growth during the expansion?
- What is the impact of recessions on entrepreneurship? How does a recession impact entrepreneurs?
- What is fiscal policy? How does the government use fiscal policy to influence the economy?
- What are the main expectations regarding U.S. fiscal policy according to the article by Fernando Martin?
- What are your thoughts on fiscal policy? What should the U.S. do going forward? Be sure to support your answer.
- How does the Federal Open Market Committee determine monetary policy?
- Provide a brief analysis of U.S. GDP (examine current GDP and recent changes).
- Provide a brief analysis of the U.S. employment situation (examine current employment data and recent changes).
- Provide a brief analysis of the CPI (examine current price levels and recent changes).
- Provide a brief summary of the Federal Reserve press release.
- If you were to provide a recommendation regarding monetary policy based on your analysis above, what would you suggest? Would you agree or disagree with the recent statements by the Federal Open Market Committee? Why?