Tag Archives: economy

The State of the Venezuelan Economy

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For those of you who may not know, Venezuela is in the midst of a massive economic crisis that is leaving people without basic necessities. Inflation is expected to reach 720%, up from 275% at the end of 2015. GDP has been contracting since 2014. Drought has left the government to rationing out water, and because Venezuela relies on hydroelectric dams to produce much of its energy, the drought has caused power shortages. The government has been running huge budget deficits on social programs that they can no longer afford, as high as 29% of its GDP in 2014. Unemployment is at Continue reading The State of the Venezuelan Economy→

What Increasing the Federal Funds Rate Means for the Stock Market

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Since the Great Recession rocked the U.S. and world economy in 2007, the federal funds rate in the U.S. has been at or near zero, falling from its pre-recession level of 5.25%. The hallmark of post-recession years has been the Fed’s strict adherence to low interest rates for fear that raising them could send the United States back into a recession. But now, this period may finally be coming to an end. For the first time in nine years interest rates may be set to climb as Janet Yellen announced at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole meeting two weeks ago Continue reading What Increasing the Federal Funds Rate Means for the Stock Market→