Abstract
This paper discusses the rising medical costs in the US in the last ten years. The paper specifically looks at how consumers have behaved as a result of the rising costs. The theory of individual behavior is used to demonstrate how consumers have acted on the price increases and the indifference curve that defines the combination of two goods that give a consumer the same level of satisfaction is also used to analyze the impact of medical costs.

From the Paper
"It is no surprise that medical costs have been on the rise for the past decade. The truth is that "for inpatient and outpatient services, the costs have been increasing due for the most part to new technology, increased utilization, new construction, and cost-shifting from government payers and the uninsured." (PricewaterhouseCoopers 2009, p.5) With the increases in medical costs, how have consumers behaved? The theory of individual behavior gives us a good understanding of how consumers have acted on the price increases. The indifference curve that defines the combinations of two goods that give a consumer the same level of satisfaction can analyze the impact of the medical costs as well."

Tags:health care, individual behavior, indifference curve, budget constraint, economics

Abstract
This paper defines economic indicators, which determine whether the economy is in an inflationary or a deflationary cycle. These factors assist economists in make their predictions and government officials in determining economic policy. The uses of various models also are discussed.

From the Paper
"Economic indicators are used to measure the financial health of the economy. There are many methods and tools for measuring the economy and every economist has his favorite method. The health of the economy is measured by tracking certain indicators. Different economists use these indicators in various combination. Some economists place more or less weight on different ones in making their predictions about which direction the economy will go. It is important to note the differences in measurement when assessing the opinions of popular economists of today."

Tags:recession, gdp, depression, inflation, unemployment, consumer, price, index, core, cpi, goods, consumers

Abstract
This paper analyzes stock market crashes, from 1929 until today. The paper describes the volatile history that has taken place since 1929, illustrating an interesting discourse on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The writer provides possible recovery scenarios and offers advice to the beginner investor.

From the Paper
"One country that has affected that of the United States in the issues of responding to market outcomes in America is that of China. In 1998 China's stock market operated smoothly and we saw it continue to grow. By the end of 1999 the number of companies listed on domestic markets in China had reached eight hundred fifty one that is an increase of one hundred and six, or fourteen percent, for the year. The chairman of the Securities Regulatory Commission said that by the end of that year the total market value had exceeded 24.46 percent of the gross domestic product, and the number of registered investors reached thirty nine million. The Dow Jones Industrial report continued to say that one hundred twenty enterprises listed stocks on both domestic and overseas markets. One hundred fifty seven enterprises listed A shares and two companies issued convertible bonds which all had an aggregate capital-raising volume of 84.14 billion (Madigan 1999)."

Tags:stocks, bonds, investments, shares, securities, regulatory, commission

Abstract
This paper explains that the most important factor that causes a shift in the demand curve is the customers" preference or taste. Other factors that influence shifts in the demand curve are the customers" income or the prices for substitute and complementary goods. The author stresses that a change in price never shifts the demand curve for a particular good. The paper relates that a shift to the left in the aggregate demand curve will lower the equilibrium price, and a shift to the right will increase it; conversely, a shift to the left in the aggregate supply curve will increase the equilibrium price, and a shift to the right will lower it.

From the Paper
"If we chose to examine how the theoretical concepts of demand and supply apply in a private club for magicians, where dinner and drinks are served, there are several different aspects to be taken into consideration. First of all, examine the owner's position and how changes and shifts in the supply and demand curves affect his decision making. Let's take a look, in the beginning, at the workforce. Basically, this is formed of freelance magicians, that are employed on a one show basis (although there may be the case that they are hired for a certain number of shows), and the waiters and waitresses, here including bartenders and auxiliary workforce."

Tags:club, preference, substitute, price, equilibrium

Abstract
This paper examines the extent to which openness, viewed as trade's share of GDP, impacts the trade-off between inequality and economic performance. The paper finds a positive and statistically significant relationship between openness and growth, yet a positive and statistically insignificant relationship between openness and inequality. The first part of the paper summarizes and evaluates the theoretical background and previous empirical research. Next, the paper presents the conceptual models tested in the paper. This is followed by a discussion of the ideal data set and an overview of the actual data. Following this discussion, the paper expounds the actual regression for the models used and presents the regression results. Finally, the paper ends with a summary and concluding remarks.

From the Paper
"Economic theory going back to Adam Smith suggests that the greater the trade, in accordance with traditional trade theory, results in greater national income from specialization, according to Frankel and Romer (1999). Yet, several studies have found ambiguous relationships between these two measures. There are possible explanations of this, as if a country specializes in an industry that has low productivity gains, perhaps greater trade will not necessarily increase national income, but even decrease income relative to other trading countries that specialized in high productivity gaining industries. An example of high and low productivity gains industries are computers and agriculture. Yet, in general we would see that this is a special case and a positive relationship between openness and income is still predicted, and this is what is mostly seen in the empirical literature."

Tags:globalization, trend, performance, nations, influenced, exports, imports, growth

From the Paper
"This research examines an application of the statistical procedures of correlation and regression analysis. The initial part of the examination describes correlation and regression procedures, and illustrates the use of the procedures in an application. Following the description and illustration, the accuracy and appropriateness of the application is discussed.

Description of the Procedure, and An Illustration of the Use of the Procedure in An Application
Correlation and regression procedures are described in this section. This description is followed by an illustration of the use of the procedures in an application."

Abstract
This paper will explain how Jevons skillfully blends his plot and his various characters' personal quirks and obsessions to reveal some of the basic concepts that form the cornerstones of basic economic theory and practice.

From the Paper
"The story begins in a place known as Cinnamon Bay Plantation located on the Caribbean Island of St. John. Immediately, the reader is alerted to the role economics will play by the author choosing this location. It may seem that a vacation island is the very antithesis of economic work in practice. Yet once the location was also a plantation, forming the basis of its own, self-enclosed economic structure. It was once a structure that produced goods to be consumed and sold at a profit, now it will produce the necessary setting for a murder, by bringing those who wish to kill certain individuals into contact with those individuals, much as a marker brings suppliers and consumers into contact."

Tags:outset, author, Marshall, Jevons, professor, economics, lacks, sense, humor, profession

From the Paper
"Statistics is a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, organization and analysis of numerical data the application of this information to make informed decisions in a variety of applications. Statistical results may be used to forecast business trends, define the extent of prevailing opinion throughout a given population, changes in availability of resources or assets, and provide quantifiable answers to questions in almost every type of business, social or political area. (Encarta) Professor Edwards of the Andover Theological Seminary defined statistics as "the ascertaining and bringing together of those facts which are fitted to illustrate the conditions and prospects of society.""

Tags:history, probability

Abstract
The paper looks at changes that have occurred in the past year, as well as changes which are underway, which are likely to affect the current economical situation in America. Among incidents from the past year, the paper looks at the continuing decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ, increasing unemployment, rising corporate accounting scandals and the ongoing aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Future problems foreseen to impact the economy are the laying off of thousands of workers from big companies and their loss of health and pension security.

From the Paper
"Several events have occurred or will soon be resolved that likely will affect the economy in 2003. First, the rapid, sharp, and seemingly unrelentless decline in the United States stock markets over the past two and one-half years has wiped away more than $678 billion of retiree wealth according to an estimate based on the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study. Likewise, employees who had received stock options as part of their compensation have found that their options have either drastically lessened in value or become totally worthless. Another effect of the bear market of the past two and one-half years is that many high profile and well-respected companies such as American Express, General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Lucent, Motorola, Oracle, and others have laid off tens and hundreds of thousands of employees, resulting in an increase in the nation's unemployment rate."

Tags:Federal, Reserve, GDP, FOMC, Consumer, Price, Index, 911

Abstract
This paper describes the JICAN Fund investment project, explaining the overall investment strategy, the primary factors considered when formulating the investment strategy, and the approach taken to accurately assess the performance of the Fund. The paper also discusses total risk and recommendations if JICAN Fund is being considered as a sole investment or as part of a bigger portfolio of investments. Lastly, the paper discusses the key lessons learned from the project which include that diversification is crucial for successful portfolio management and that asset allocation plays the primary role in determining the portfolio return when compared to securities selection or market timing.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Portfolio Investment Strategy
Investment Strategy
Strategic Asset Allocation
Systematic Security Selection and Market Timing
Risk Controls and Realization Guidelines
Sector Analysis and Execution
North American Equities
Energy
Financials
Materials
Retail
Telecom/Technology
Emerging Market Equities
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Portfolio Performance Measurements
Overview
Performance Analysis
After-thoughts and Lessons Learned
Appendix 1: Stock Selection Criteria
Appendix 2: Economic Outlook
Appendix 3: Additional Selection Criteria
Appendix 4: Performance Measurement

From the Paper
"AMX is a provider of wireless telecommunications services in Latin America. As of December 31, 2007, it had 153.4 million subscribers in 17 countries which include 50 million subscribers in Mexico through Telcel. Also, AMX operates through Americel in Brazil and through Comcel in Colombia. Furthermore, it provides wireless services in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. It provides fixed-line and wireless services in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. We believe that AMX's domination of the Mexican wireless telecom market and other markets such as the Brazilian's and Colombian's will position AMX in a strong position to take advantage of its investments in the 3G technology."

Tags:diversification, asset allocation, security selection, market-timing, systematic risk