Category: Economics

Commodities

Commodities

A commodity is a basic good that is used in commerce and is interchangeable with other commodities of the same type. Commodities can be directly bought and sold in the cash market or by derivatives such as futures or options by investors and traders. High-risk...
The Debt Ceiling

The Debt Ceiling

For the first six months of 2023, Americans increasingly kept hearing about the risks of our debt ceiling. We also heard that the United States would default on its loan obligations and that it would contribute to a market collapse around the globe. What is it, why...
Economic Indicators: Industrial Production

Economic Indicators: Industrial Production

Industrial production measures the output in the manufacturing, mining, electric and gas industries. Measured monthly as the Industrial Production Index (IPI), it serves as a macroeconomic indicator for economists and investors. What Is It and How Does it Work? The...
Economic Indicators: Home Building

Economic Indicators: Home Building

Home building, also known as home starts, is the start of construction on a new residential housing unit. Home starts are an important economic indicator watched by participants in the financial market as new housing creates additional spending by consumers on...
Economic Indicators: Retail Sales

Economic Indicators: Retail Sales

Retail sales are a key indicator to knowing if an economy is contracting or expanding. An increase in retail sales would suggest an economy that is healthy and expanding. A decrease in retail sales, however, would signal that the economy is not as healthy and...