The chapter notes that the rise in the U. S. trade deficit during the 1980s was due largely to the rise in the U. S. budget deficit. On the other hand, some in the popular press have claimed that the increased trade deficit resulted from a decline in the quality of U. S. products relative to foreign products. Assume that U. S. products did decline in relative quality during the 1980s. Required:
a. This caused net exports at any given exchange rate to .
b. Indicate the effect of this shift in net exports on the U. S. market for foreign exchange.

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

An investment offers a total return of 18 percent over the coming year. janice yellen thinks the total real return on this investment will be only 14 percent. what does janice believe the inflation rate will be over the next year?

An electronics store is running a promotion where for every video game purchased, the customer receives a coupon upon checkout to purchase a second game at a 50% discount. the coupons expire in one year. the store normally recognized a gross profit margin of 40% of the selling price on video games. how would the store account for a purchase using the discount coupon?