A few simple business questions, 50 points

The treasurer for pittsburgh iron works wishes to use financial futures to hedge her interest rate exposure. she will sell five treasury futures contracts at $139,000 per contract. it is july and the contracts must be closed out in december of this year. long-term interest rates are currently 7.30 percent. if they increase to 9.50 percent, assume the value of the contracts will go down by 20 percent. also if interest rates do increase by 2.2 percent, assume the firm will have additional interest expense on its business loans and other commitments of $149,000. this expense, of course, will be separate from the futures contracts. a. what will be the profit or loss on the futures contract if interest rates increase to 9.50 percent by december when the contract is closed out

Joe finally found a house for sale that he liked. which factor could increase the price of the house he likes? a. both he and the seller each have a real estate agent. b. a home inspector finds faulty wiring in the house. c. the house has been for sale for almost a year. d. several buyers all want that same house.

What is one counter argument to the premise that the wealth gap is a serious problem which needs to be addressed?