Unit 4: The dollar strengthens against the euro.

Thank you to Robyn for this excellent clip discussing the implications of a strong $ for the American economy.

Click on this link tom access the 50 second clip.

The strong dollar.

Unit 4: UK trade deficit falls in January!

Thank you to Huzaifa for this article on the UK's current account deficit. It raises a few questions:

What is the main reason for the fall in the deficit?
Why might the deficit have been so large in December?
Is this an indication of a long term fall in our deficit?
What impact (ceterus paribus) will this have on the pound?
What impact did it actually have on the pound?

Unit 3: Yogurt Cartel find after whistle blower goes to govt.

Click here to access an excellent article on the Yogurt industry in France. Lots of good stuff for Unit 3 type questions.

Kinked demand curve, prisoners dilemma, high concentration ratio, regulation etc etc.

Unit 4: Dumping - Yes or no?

Did Mr Bean compile the US airlines report into subsidies? - Transport - ArabianBusiness.com

I heard this on the way into work this morning. Really interesting piece on how the three best airlines in the world are accused of being so due to government help.

What do you think?

Useful when discussing dumping, subsidies, unfair competition in any Unit 4 essay.

Unit 4: Euro hits 12 year low against the Dollar

Click here to read a timely article on exchange rates. The euro has fallen to its lowest level against the US dollar in 12 years after the European Central Bank (ECB) began its government bond buying programme.

Lots of great stuff here on the reasons why currencies can fluctuate. Please take some time to read. I will be asking questions in your next lesson.

Unit 4: Capital Flight - Russia and skilled labour

Thanks to Luke for this article on 'Capital Flight' in Russia. Once again it highlights the issue of struggling economies due to falling oil prices, inflation and an unstable economic future.

Capital flight will only make things worse in the long term. How can Russia stop this?

Unit 3 & 4: Govt Regulation and falling oil price issues

Thank you to Elliot for this article on the Venezuelan food crisis. Plenty of food for thought (sorry for the pun).

Firstly, the government in Venezuela offers food at artificially low prices with the aim of helping the poor. However, one problem with maximum prices is that it creates excess demand. Long queues and food shortages are reminiscent of the old Soviet Union. In addition, it seems that some unscrupulous food smugglers are buying the cheap food to sell at a profit in Colombia.

On top of this issue is the fact that falling oil revenues and a depreciating currency mean it is proving expensive for Venezuela to import the food they are trying to sell so cheap!

Primary product dependency, Prebisch-Singer Hypothesis, government regulatory failure are all in this article.

Unit 3: Price discrimination and Tinder!

Thank you to Aara for finding this article on price discrimination. Tinder is extremely popular around the world and now they have decided to charge older users more for it's services.

Is this an example of price discrimination?
Are they taking advantage of consumer surplus?
Why is demand more inelastic for older people?

Unit 3: Samsung and competition strategies

Thanks to Riz for this article on Samsung's latest phone. Questions to discuss:

What market structure are Samsung in?
How are they competing?
Will this strategy work? (use game theory in your evaluation)
What pricing strategy are they likely to use & why?

Unit 4: Greek debt crisis.....