ECON 545: Project 2 - Macroeconomic Analysis

The Macroeconomic Paper tests your ability to apply economic principles to a business decision considering the impact of macroeconomic variables. Select one situation from the items outlined below: A to D. Complete the paper on the selected situation as specified below. The completed paper is a professional report and is due in Week 6 (260 Points). See the grading rubric at the end of this document. Be sure to use the DeVry library to find data, and avoid questionable sources, such as Wikipedia.

Each of the scenarios has a list of Macroeconomic areas you are to address, with sources, in your answer. Briefly you are to research and show how these apply to your scenario: GDP growth rate (20 points), the business cycle (30 points), fiscal policy and level of unemployment (50 points), monetary policy and interest rates (50 points), international trade (40 points), and demographics (20 points).

Situation A

Rick, your friend, runs a small manufacturing plant that produces parts for the auto industry. Rick is thinking of expanding his operations to meet the increasing demand from car manufacturers. Hearing of your taking this course in business economics, he asks you for advice on how to go about making the expansion decision.

At first you are reluctant to give investment advice, but then you happen to read the piece “U.S. Auto Sales Estimates Cut as Confidence Slows Rebound” on page 634 of the textbook. You suddenly realize that Rick needs to take a number of macroeconomic variables into consideration for the expansion decision. You decide to research the economy in terms of GDP growth rate, interest rates, level of unemployment, the business cycle, fiscal policy, monetary policy, international trade, and demographics. You want to provide Rick with the most informed advice possible.