Grocery savings: Sydney cleans up Nov 5, 2009
Sydney's highest relative prices were for meat: a one-kilogram leg of lamb sold for $10. 46 rather than $9. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Bernanke learns fromthe wrong crash Nov 4, 2009
It may well be that as the amount of capital gradually increases in the economy, its productivity becomes less, so that real yields on bonds, stocks and presumably real estate in 2009 are far below the level that would have been considered appropriate 80 years ago - and relative prices higher. This possibility would also be suggested by the curious behavior of capital productivity, as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics since 1947. (Asia Times Online)
Free up retail fuel prices Nov 2, 2009
But to keep retail oil prices gratuitously unrevised despite clearly hardening imported costs would be to send wholly wrong policy signals, needlessly jack up relative prices of green alternatives, and thoroughly misallocate scarce resources of the exchequer too. The fact remains that the oil market is in a tizzy, again, and the writing on the wall is that oil prices will rise even higher. (India Times)
Economics focus: Reality bites Oct 16, 2009
With hierarchical decision-making processes based on rules and authority, firms ought to be less efficient than decentralised market exchange based on relative prices, which is how standard economic theory assumes that transactions occur. So why do companies exist at all. (The Economist)
US cotton production to hit 13 million bales Oct 10, 2009
"I think if we look at where relative prices are today, looking ahead to the 2010 futures contracts, cotton is in a bit better position than in the last two, three years, but a lot can happen between now and the next planting season," he said. . (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Jaideep Mishra: Reforming oil pricing Sep 7, 2009
It also sends out entirely wrong po 00004000 licy signals on oil consumption when the relative prices are artificially kept unchanged, and thoroughly over-extends government finances in the bargain. The point is that there are a panoply of rigidities in the oil economy which do need to be addressed and can no longer remain in the policy back-burner. (India Times)
Swaziland: Farmers Change From Food to Sugar Growing Aug 18, 2009
"At the end of the day it is a question of relative prices, so if an ordinary household in the rural areas can get more money producing cassava that will go into ethanol production, as opposed to maize for consumption purposes, then they will go for cassava. This is where it is important for government to come in with support policies so it is attractive to grow maize," Matsebula said. African sugar cultivation has been increasing: from 2004 to 2007 production averaged 9. (allAfrica.com)
4 Debunking the Blade Server Myth Jul 10, 2009
So the list prices are often a good judge of relative prices even if not absolute ones. Your mileage will vary - so due diligence is necessary to create a cost analysis appropriate for your given situation and the deal that you receive from your vendor. (Datamation)
China's recovery won't drive up commodity prices Jun 18, 2009
Interpreting recent price hikes for gold, non-ferrous metals, oil and grains as an "adjustment of relative prices," Wang said that the genuine driving force for inflation -- price hikes from an overall demand increase -- was nowhere in sight ... Such an adjustment in relative prices reflected the scarcity of staple goods relative to industrial products. (Xinhuanet, China)
Latvias currency crisis is a rerun of Argentinas Jun 16, 2009
But a real exchange rate depreciation is necessary to restore the countrys competitiveness; in its absence, a painful adjustment of relative prices can occur only via deflation and a fall in nominal wages that will take too long and exacerbate the recession. Draconian cuts in public spending will be required if Latvia is to improve the current account. (FT.com -- Markets)
Crude flares up Jun 4, 2009
Besides, the unchanged relative prices would send wholly wrong policy signals, and hardly incentivise demand management and conservation of fossil fuels nor fast-forward supply of green alternatives. The perverse administered pricing of diesel, petrol etc is an incongruity from the mid-seventies, the days of autarky and pre-reform. (India Times)
Reserve Bank warns on debt, inflation May 29, 2009
"This is a very major increase and it will be interesting to see how that is accommodated without causing some very major changes in relative prices in asset markets.". Mr Battellino was responding to a question about whether government borrowing would crowd out proposed investments by the private sector. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Washington Post: Climate Bill Badly Flawed May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009. SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWS ALERTS. (Newsmax)
* Is anything being done to prevent another crisis? May 25, 2009
In fact, there has been no change in relative prices or depreciation of the US dollar of a magnitude that would augur a permanent shift in trade and spending patterns. Whether there is a permanent reduction in global imbalances will depend mainly on decisions taken outside the US, specifically in countries like China. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Ex-ministers: We're embarrassed at handling of issue of cars May 6, 2009
He described the attempt by the government to blame the fall of the cedi on the redenomination carried out by the NPP government as "funny" noting that, "redenomination did not affect relative prices". "Redenomination, indeed, is a one-time event and cannot be used as explanation for persistent depreciation of a currency. He said the current rapid depreciation in the value of the cedis and attendant high prices and slow down in business were being driven by lack of confidence in the ability of... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
10 Changes That Are Transforming The Energy Markets For Industrial and Commercial Energy Users In Brazil Apr 29, 2009
Relative prices have changed ... Now that relative prices are changing all the time, a new approach is becoming required: risk management. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Another View: Recovery rides on the 'G-2' Mar 7, 2009
A revaluation of China's currency -- a change in relative prices -- is not the primary tool for addressing these structural problems and the imbalances they have produced. In fact, economic diplomacy between the United States and China should focus on two other areas. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
* Wean Asia off its export addiction Feb 23, 2009
The result of this devaluation competition is that there will be no devaluation to speak of, as there will be no drastic changes in relative prices among exporting countries, thus greatly reducing the effectiveness of devaluation. Devaluation also means that the cost of raw materials and equipment imports will go up. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
