Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
Chapter 17
Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A top down analysis of a firm starts with ___________.
A. the relative value of the firm
B. the absolute value of the firm
C. the domestic economy
D. the global economy
E. the industry outlook
2. An example of a highly cyclical industry is _______.
A. the automobile industry
B. the tobacco industry
C. the food industry
D. the automobile industry and the tobacco industry
E. the tobacco industry and the food industry
3. Demand-side economics is concerned with ______.
A. government spending and tax levels
B. monetary policy
C. fiscal policy
D. government spending and tax levels and monetary policy
E. government spending and tax levels, monetary policy, and fiscal policy
4. The most widely used monetary tool is __________.
A. altering the discount rate
B. altering the reserve requirements
C. open market operations
D. altering marginal tax rates
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
5. The "real", or inflation-adjusted, exchange rate, is
A. the balance of trade.
B. the budget deficit.
C. the purchasing power ratio.
D. unimportant to the U.S. economy.
E. None of these is correct.
6. The "normal" range of price-earnings ratios for the S&P500 Index is
A. between 2 and 10.
B. between 5 and 15.
C. less than 8.
D. between 12 and 25.
E. greater than 20.
7. Monetary policy in the U.S. is determined by
A. government budget decisions.
B. presidential mandates.
C. the board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
D. congressional actions.
E. None of these is correct.
8. A trough is _______.
A. a transition from an expansion in the business cycle to the start of a contraction
B. a transition from a contraction in the business cycle to the start of an expansion
C. a depression that lasts more than three years
D. only something used by farmers to feed pigs and not an investment term
E. None of these is correct.
9. A peak is _______.
A. a transition from an expansion in the business cycle to the start of a contraction
B. a transition from a contraction in the business cycle to the start of an expansion
C. a depression that lasts more than three years
D. only a feature of geography and not an investment term
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
10. If the economy is growing, firms with high operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher increases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
B. similar increases in profits as firms with low operating leverage
C. smaller increases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
11. If the economy is shrinking, firms with high operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher decreases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
B. similar decreases in profits as firms with low operating leverage
C. smaller decreases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
12. If the economy is growing, firms with low operating leverage will experience _________.
A. higher increases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
B. similar increases in profits as firms with high operating leverage
C. smaller increases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
13. If the economy is shrinking, firms with low operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher decreases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
B. similar decreases in profits as firms with high operating leverage
C. smaller decreases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
14. Industrial production refers to ________.
A. the amount of personal disposable income in the economy
B. the difference between government spending and government revenues
C. the total manufacturing output in the economy
D. the total production of goods and services in the economy
E. None of these is correct.
15. GDP refers to ________.
A. the amount of personal disposable income in the economy
B. the difference between government spending and government revenues
C. the total manufacturing output in the economy
D. the total production of goods and services in the economy
E. None of these is correct.
16. A rapidly growing GDP indicates a(n) ______ economy with ______ opportunity for a
firm to increase sales.
A. stagnant; little
B. stagnant; ample
C. expanding; little
D. expanding; ample
E. stable; no
17. A declining GDP indicates a(n) ______ economy with ______ opportunity for a firm to
increase sales.
A. stagnant; little
B. stagnant; ample
C. expanding; little
D. expanding; ample
E. stable; no
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
18. The average duration of unemployment and changes in the consumer price index for
services are _________.
A. leading economic indicators
B. coincidental economic indicators
C. lagging economic indicators
D. composite economic indicators
E. None of these is correct.
19. A firm in an industry that is very sensitive to the business cycle will likely have a stock
beta __________.
A. greater than 1.0
B. equal to 1.0
C. less than 1.0 but greater than 0.0
D. equal to or less than 0.0
E. There is no relationship between beta and sensitivity to the business cycle.
20. If the economy were going into a recession, an attractive industry to invest in would be the
________ industry.
A. automobile
B. medical services
C. construction
D. automobile and construction
E. medical services and construction
21. The stock price index and new orders for nondefense capital goods are
A. leading economic indicators.
B. coincidental economic indicators.
C. lagging economic indicators.
D. not useful as economic indicators.
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
22. A firm in the early stages of the industry life cycle will likely have _______.
A. high market penetration
B. high risk
C. rapid growth
D. high market penetration and rapid growth
E. high risk and rapid growth
23. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to increase the budget deficit. This action will
most likely cause __________ to increase.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
24. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to decrease the budget deficit. This action
will most likely cause __________ to decrease.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
25. Assume that the Federal Reserve decreases the money supply. This action will cause
________ to decrease.
A. interest rates
B. the unemployment rate
C. investment in the economy
D. trade balance
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
26. If the currency of your country is depreciating, the result should be to ______ exports and
to _______ imports.
A. stimulate; stimulate
B. stimulate; discourage
C. discourage; stimulate
D. discourage; discourage
E. not affect; not affect
27. If the currency of your country is appreciating, the result should be to ______ exports and
to _______ imports.
A. stimulate; stimulate
B. stimulate; discourage
C. discourage; stimulate
D. discourage; discourage
E. not affect; not affect
28. Increases in the money supply will cause demand for investment and consumption goods
to _______ in the short run and cause prices to _______ in the long run.
A. increase; increase
B. increase; decrease
C. decrease; increase
D. decrease; hold steady
E. be unaffected; be unaffected
29. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
A. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region.
B. group firms by industry.
C. are a perfect classification system for firms.
D. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region and group firms by industry.
E. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region and are a perfect classification system for
firms.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
30. If interest rates increase, business investment expenditures are likely to ______ and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to ________.
A. increase; increase
B. increase; decrease
C. decrease; increase
D. decrease; decrease
E. be unaffected; be unaffected
31. Fiscal policy generally has a _______ direct impact than monetary policy on the economy,
and the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy is ______ than that of monetary
policy.
A. more; quicker
B. more; slower
C. less; quicker
D. less; slower
E. Cannot tell from the information given.
32. Fiscal policy is difficult to implement quickly because
A. it requires political negotiations.
B. much of government spending is nondiscretionary and cannot be changed.
C. increases in tax rates affect consumer spending gradually.
D. it requires political negotiations and much of government spending is nondiscretionary and
cannot be changed.
E. it requires political negotiations and increases in tax rates affect consumer spending
gradually.
33. Inflation
A. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing.
B. rates are high when the economy is considered to be "overheated."
C. is unrelated to unemployment rates.
D. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing; and rates are high when the
economy is considered to be "overheated."
E. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing; and is unrelated to
unemployment rates.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
Two firms, A and B, both produce widgets. The price of widgets is $1 each. Firm A has total
fixed costs of $500,000 and variable costs of 50 cents per widget. Firm B has total fixed costs
of $240,000 and variable costs of 75 cents per widget. The corporate tax rate is 40%. If the
economy is strong, each firm will sell 1,200,000 widgets. If the economy enters a recession,
each firm will sell 1,100,000 widgets.
34. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm A will be _______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $30,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
35. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm B will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
36. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm A will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
37. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm B will be _________.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
38. Calculate firm A's degree of operating leverage.
A. 11.0
B. 2.86
C. 9.09
D. 1.00
E. None of these is correct.
39. Calculate firm B's degree of operating leverage.
A. .714
B. 9.09
C. 7.86
D. 7.14
E. None of these is correct.
40. Classifying firms into groups, such as _________ provides an alternative to the industry
life cycle.
A. slow-growers
B. stalwarts
C. countercyclicals
D. slow-growers and stalwarts
E. slow-growers and countercyclicals
41. Supply-side economists wishing to stimulate the economy are most likely to recommend
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in production output.
C. an increase in the real interest rate.
D. a decrease in the tax rate.
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
42. Which of the following are not examples of defensive industries?
A. Food producers.
B. Durable goods producers.
C. Pharmaceutical firms.
D. Public utilities.
E. Durable goods producers and pharmaceutical firms.
43. Which of the following are examples of defensive industries?
A. Food producers.
B. Durable goods producers.
C. Pharmaceutical firms.
D. Public utilities.
E. Food producers, pharmaceutical firms and Public utilities
44. ________ is a proposition that a strong proponent of supply side economics would most
likely stress.
A. Higher marginal tax rates will lead to a reduction in the size of the budget deficit and lower
interest rates as they depend on government revenues
B. Higher marginal tax rates promote economic inefficiency and thereby retard aggregate
output as they encourage investors to undertake low productivity projects with substantial tax
shelter benefits
C. Income redistribution payments will exert little impact on real aggregate supply as they do
not consume resources directly
D. A tax reduction will increase the disposable income of households, and thus, the primary
impact of a tax reduction on aggregate supply will stem from the influence of the tax change
on the size of the budget deficit or surplus
E. None of these is a likely statement for a supply-side proponent
45. The industry life cycle is described by which of the following stage(s)?
A. Start-up.
B. Consolidation.
C. Absolute decline.
D. Start-up and consolidation.
E. Start-up, consolidation and absolute decline.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
46. In the start-up stage of the industry life cycle,
A. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail.
B. industry growth is very rapid.
C. firms pay a high level of dividends.
D. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail and industry
growth is very rapid.
E. industry growth is very rapid and firms pay a high level of dividends.
47. In the consolidation stage of the industry life-cycle,
A. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail.
B. industry growth is very rapid.
C. the performance of firms will more closely track the performance of the overall industry.
D. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail and industry
growth is very rapid.
E. industry growth is very rapid and the performance of firms will more closely track the
performance of the overall industry.
48. In the maturity stage of the industry life cycle,
A. the product has reached full potential.
B. profit margins are narrower.
C. producers are forced to compete on price to a greater extent.
D. the product has reached full potential and profit margins are narrower.
E. the product has reached full potential, profit margins are narrower, and producers are
forced to compete on price to a greater extent.
49. In the decline stage of the industry life cycle,
A. the product may have reached obsolescence.
B. the industry will grow at a rate less than the overall economy.
C. the industry may experience negative growth.
D. the product may have reached obsolescence and the industry will grow at a rate less than
the overall economy.
E. the product may have reached obsolescence, the industry will grow at a rate less than the
overall economy, and the industry may experience negative growth.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
50. A variety of factors relating to industry structure affect the performance of the firm,
including
A. threat of entry.
B. rivalry between existing competitors.
C. the state of the economy.
D. threat of entry and the state of the economy.
E. threat of entry and rivalry between existing competitors.
51. The process of estimating the dividends and earnings that can be expected from the firm
based on determinants of value is called
A. business cycle forecasting.
B. macroeconomic forecasting.
C. technical analysis.
D. fundamental analysis.
E. None of these is correct.
52. The emerging stock market exhibiting the highest U.S. dollar return in 2009 was
A. Brazil.
B. Argentina.
C. Poland.
D. Mexico.
E. China.
53. The life cycle stage in which industry leaders are likely to emerge is the
A. start-up stage.
B. maturity stage.
C. consolidation stage.
D. relative decline stage.
E. All of these are correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
54. Investment manager Peter Lynch refers to firms that are in bankruptcy or soon might be
as
A. slow growers.
B. stalwarts.
C. cyclicals.
D. asset plays.
E. turnarounds.
55. A top-down analysis of a firm's prospects starts with
A. an examination of the firm's industry.
B. an evaluation of the firm's position within its industry.
C. a forecast of interest rate movements.
D. an assessment of the broad economic environment.
E. the application of the CAPM to find the firm's theoretical return.
56. In recent years, P/E multiples for S&P500 companies have
A. ranged from −1 to −10.
B. ranged from 1 to 8.
C. ranged from 6 to 10.
D. ranged from 12 to 25.
E. ranged from 20 to more than 50.
57. The industry with the highest ROE in 2009 was
A. food.
B. data storage.
C. business software.
D. computer systems.
E. integrated oil & gas.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
58. The industry with the lowest ROE in 2009 was
A. food.
B. data storage.
C. business software.
D. iron/steel.
E. integrated oil & gas.
59. The industry with the lowest return in 2009 was
A. renewable energy equipment.
B. oil equipment.
C. health care.
D. brokerage.
E. banking.
60. The industry with the highest return in 2009 was
A. home construction.
B. travel and tourism.
C. health care.
D. brokerage.
E. banking.
61. Investors can ______ invest in an industry with the highest expected return by purchasing
_____.
A. most easily; industry-specific iShares
B. not; industry-specific iShares
C. most easily; industry-specific ADRs
D. not; individual stocks
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
62. Which of the following are key economic statistics that are used to describe the state of
the macroeconomy?
I) Gross domestic product
II) The unemployment rate
III) Inflation
IV) Consumer sentiment
V) The budget deficit
A. I, II, and V
B. I, III, and V
C. I, II, and III
D. I, II, III, and V
E. I, II, III, IV, and V
63. An example of a positive demand shock is
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in government spending.
C. a decrease in foreign export demand.
D. a decrease in the price of imported oil.
E. a decrease in tax rates.
64. An example of a negative demand shock is
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in government spending.
C. an increase in foreign export demand.
D. a decrease in the price of imported oil.
E. a decrease in the money supply and a decrease in government spending.
65. During which stage of the industry life cycle would a firm experience stable growth in
sales?
A. Consolidation
B. Relative Decline
C. Maturity
D. Start-up
E. Stabilization
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
66. The emerging stock market exhibiting the highest local currency return in 2009 was
A. Russia.
B. China.
C. Poland.
D. Mexico.
E. Bolivia.
67. Sector rotation
A. should always be carried out.
B. is never worthwhile.
C. is shifting the portfolio more heavily toward an industry or sector that is expected to
perform well in the future.
D. can be implemented costlessly.
E. None of these is correct.
68. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when new entrants to an industry put pressure on prices and profits.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
69. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when competitors seek to expand their share of the market.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
70. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when the availability limits the prices that can be charged to customers.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
71. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when a buyer purchases a large fraction of an industry's output and can demand price
concessions.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
72. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to increase the budget deficit. This action will
most likely cause __________ to increase.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. both interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
73. If interest rates decrease, business investment expenditures are likely to ______ and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to ________.
A. increase; increase
B. increase; decrease
C. decrease; increase
D. decrease; decrease
E. be unaffected; be unaffected
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
74. An example of a defensive industry is _______.
A. the automobile industry
B. the tobacco industry
C. the food industry
D. both the automobile industry and the tobacco industry
E. both the tobacco industry and the food industry
Two firms, C and D, both produce coat hangers. The price of coat hangers is $1.20 each.
Firm C has total fixed costs of $750,000 and variable costs of 30 cents per coat hanger. Firm
D has total fixed costs of $400,000 and variable costs of 50 cents per coat hanger. The
corporate tax rate is 40%. If the economy is strong, each firm will sell 2,000,000 coat hangers.
If the economy enters a recession, each firm will sell 1,400,000 coat hangers.
75. If the economy enters a recession, the total revenue of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,400,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $0
E. None of these is correct.
76. If the economy enters a recession, the total cost of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $750,000
D. $420,000
E. None of these is correct.
77. If the economy enters a recession, the before tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
78. If the economy enters a recession, the tax of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
79. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. $306,000
80. If the economy is strong, the total revenue of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,400,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $2,400,000
E. None of these is correct.
81. If the economy is strong, the total cost of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $1,350,000
D. $420,000
E. None of these is correct.
82. If the economy is strong, the before tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,050,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
83. If the economy is strong, the tax of Firm C will be _______.
A. $420,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
84. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm C will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. $630,000
85. If a firm's sales decrease by 15% and profits decrease by 20% during a recession, the
firms operating leverage is ___________?
A. 1.33
B. 0.75
C. 5
D. −5
E. None of these is correct.
Short Answer Questions
86. Discuss the tools of the U. S. government's "demand-side" policy. Include in your
discussion of these tools the relative advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of the
effect of the use of these tools on the economy.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
87. Discuss the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)'s indexes of economic
indicators, and how each of the categories of these indicators might be used by the securities'
analyst.
88. Discuss the industry life cycle, how this concept can be used by security analysts, and the
limitations of this concept for security analysis.
89. Discuss the ways in which the global economy might have an effect on a firm whose
headquarters are in Montana. Be specific—cite some of the relevant factors that should be
considered.
90. List and discuss three of the five determinants of competition suggested in Porter's 1985
study.
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
Chapter 17 Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis Answer Key
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A top down analysis of a firm starts with ___________.
A. the relative value of the firm
B. the absolute value of the firm
C. the domestic economy
D. the global economy
E. the industry outlook
A top down analysis of a firm starts with the global economy.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
2. An example of a highly cyclical industry is _______.
A. the automobile industry
B. the tobacco industry
C. the food industry
D. the automobile industry and the tobacco industry
E. the tobacco industry and the food industry
Consumer durables, such as automobiles, are highly cyclical as purchases can be delayed until
good times. Necessities, low-ticket items, and addictive products are purchased in good times
and bad.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
3. Demand-side economics is concerned with ______.
A. government spending and tax levels
B. monetary policy
C. fiscal policy
D. government spending and tax levels and monetary policy
E. government spending and tax levels, monetary policy, and fiscal policy
Demand-side economics is concerned with monetary and fiscal policy (government spending
and taxing).
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
4. The most widely used monetary tool is __________.
A. altering the discount rate
B. altering the reserve requirements
C. open market operations
D. altering marginal tax rates
E. None of these is correct.
The Federal Reserve's open market operations are the most widely used and most effective
monetary tool for influencing interest rates.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
5. The "real", or inflation-adjusted, exchange rate, is
A. the balance of trade.
B. the budget deficit.
C. the purchasing power ratio.
D. unimportant to the U.S. economy.
E. None of these is correct.
The ratio of one country's purchasing power to another's is called the "real", or inflation
adjusted, exchange rate, and is an important measure of the relative costs of domestic versus
foreign goods.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
6. The "normal" range of price-earnings ratios for the S&P500 Index is
A. between 2 and 10.
B. between 5 and 15.
C. less than 8.
D. between 12 and 25.
E. greater than 20.
Stock prices commonly trade at between 12 and 25 times earnings.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
7. Monetary policy in the U.S. is determined by
A. government budget decisions.
B. presidential mandates.
C. the board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
D. congressional actions.
E. None of these is correct.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System determines monetary policy through
open market operations, changes in the discount rate and reserve requirement adjustments.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
8. A trough is _______.
A. a transition from an expansion in the business cycle to the start of a contraction
B. a transition from a contraction in the business cycle to the start of an expansion
C. a depression that lasts more than three years
D. only something used by farmers to feed pigs and not an investment term
E. None of these is correct.
The trough occurs when the economy has hit "rock bottom" in the business cycle and
recovery is ahead.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
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Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
9. A peak is _______.
A. a transition from an expansion in the business cycle to the start of a contraction
B. a transition from a contraction in the business cycle to the start of an expansion
C. a depression that lasts more than three years
D. only a feature of geography and not an investment term
E. None of these is correct.
The peak occurs when the economy has hit the top in the business cycle.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
10. If the economy is growing, firms with high operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher increases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
B. similar increases in profits as firms with low operating leverage
C. smaller increases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
As sales increase, firms with high operating leverage spread these fixed costs over more units
and thus increase profits.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-27
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
11. If the economy is shrinking, firms with high operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher decreases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
B. similar decreases in profits as firms with low operating leverage
C. smaller decreases in profits than firms with low operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
As sales decrease, firms with high operating leverage spread these fixed costs over fewer units
and thus decrease profits.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
12. If the economy is growing, firms with low operating leverage will experience _________.
A. higher increases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
B. similar increases in profits as firms with high operating leverage
C. smaller increases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
As sales increase, firms with high operating leverage spread these fixed costs over more units
and thus increase profits.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-28
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
13. If the economy is shrinking, firms with low operating leverage will experience
_________.
A. higher decreases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
B. similar decreases in profits as firms with high operating leverage
C. smaller decreases in profits than firms with high operating leverage
D. no change in profits
E. None of these is correct.
As sales decrease, firms with high operating leverage spread these fixed costs over fewer units
and thus decrease profits.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
14. Industrial production refers to ________.
A. the amount of personal disposable income in the economy
B. the difference between government spending and government revenues
C. the total manufacturing output in the economy
D. the total production of goods and services in the economy
E. None of these is correct.
Industrial production is a measure of the productive output of the manufacturing sector of the
economy.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-29
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
15. GDP refers to ________.
A. the amount of personal disposable income in the economy
B. the difference between government spending and government revenues
C. the total manufacturing output in the economy
D. the total production of goods and services in the economy
E. None of these is correct.
GDP is a measure of the productive output of the country, both in terms of goods and
services.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
16. A rapidly growing GDP indicates a(n) ______ economy with ______ opportunity for a
firm to increase sales.
A. stagnant; little
B. stagnant; ample
C. expanding; little
D. expanding; ample
E. stable; no
GDP is a measure of the productive output of the country and indicates the opportunities firms
have to expand sales.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-30
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
17. A declining GDP indicates a(n) ______ economy with ______ opportunity for a firm to
increase sales.
A. stagnant; little
B. stagnant; ample
C. expanding; little
D. expanding; ample
E. stable; no
GDP is a measure of the productive output of the country and indicates the opportunities firms
have to expand sales.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
18. The average duration of unemployment and changes in the consumer price index for
services are _________.
A. leading economic indicators
B. coincidental economic indicators
C. lagging economic indicators
D. composite economic indicators
E. None of these is correct.
These indicators (C) lag the general economy, and are indicators that the economy is about to
change directions.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-31
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
19. A firm in an industry that is very sensitive to the business cycle will likely have a stock
beta __________.
A. greater than 1.0
B. equal to 1.0
C. less than 1.0 but greater than 0.0
D. equal to or less than 0.0
E. There is no relationship between beta and sensitivity to the business cycle.
Cyclical stocks are more volatile than the market in general, and thus have betas greater than
1.0.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Industry analysis
20. If the economy were going into a recession, an attractive industry to invest in would be the
________ industry.
A. automobile
B. medical services
C. construction
D. automobile and construction
E. medical services and construction
Medical services are necessities, and thus perform about the same regardless of the business
cycle. Automobile and construction industries are cyclical, and perform poorly during
recessions.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-32
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
21. The stock price index and new orders for nondefense capital goods are
A. leading economic indicators.
B. coincidental economic indicators.
C. lagging economic indicators.
D. not useful as economic indicators.
E. None of these is correct.
Contracts and orders for plant and equipment are indicative of future economic times, and
thus are leading economic indicators. The stock price index is one of the best leading
economic indicators, a reflection of market efficiency.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
22. A firm in the early stages of the industry life cycle will likely have _______.
A. high market penetration
B. high risk
C. rapid growth
D. high market penetration and rapid growth
E. high risk and rapid growth
In the early stages of the industry life cycle, the firm is likely to be high in risk.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-33
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
23. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to increase the budget deficit. This action will
most likely cause __________ to increase.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
Increasing the deficit raises government borrowing, increases the demand for funds and thus
increases the interest rates. Deficit spending is also used to stimulate the economy by
encouraging increasing the output of the economy.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
24. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to decrease the budget deficit. This action
will most likely cause __________ to decrease.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
Decreasing the deficit lowers government borrowing, decreases the demand for funds and
thus decreases the interest rates.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-34
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
25. Assume that the Federal Reserve decreases the money supply. This action will cause
________ to decrease.
A. interest rates
B. the unemployment rate
C. investment in the economy
D. trade balance
E. None of these is correct.
Decreasing the money supply is an economic contraction strategy, resulting in a decreased
output of the economy.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
26. If the currency of your country is depreciating, the result should be to ______ exports and
to _______ imports.
A. stimulate, stimulate
B. stimulate, discourage
C. discourage, stimulate
D. discourage, discourage
E. not affect, not affect
Depreciating currency means that country's goods and services are cheaper and thus that
country's exports are stimulated. Likewise, goods and services of other countries are now
more expensive; and thus importing is discouraged.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-35
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
27. If the currency of your country is appreciating, the result should be to ______ exports and
to _______ imports.
A. stimulate, stimulate
B. stimulate, discourage
C. discourage, stimulate
D. discourage, discourage
E. not affect, not affect
An appreciating currency means that country's goods and services are more expensive to
foreigners and thus that country's exports are discouraged. Likewise, goods and services of
other countries are now less expensive; and thus imports are stimulated.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
28. Increases in the money supply will cause demand for investment and consumption goods
to _______ in the short run and cause prices to _______ in the long run.
A. increase, increase
B. increase, decrease
C. decrease, increase
D. decrease, hold steady
E. be unaffected, be unaffected
An increase in the money supply results in increased demand for goods and services, which
ultimately is reflected in higher prices for these goods and services.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-36
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
29. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
A. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region.
B. group firms by industry.
C. are a perfect classification system for firms.
D. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region and group firms by industry.
E. are for firms that operate in the NAFTA region and are a perfect classification system for
firms.
The NAICS is a grouping of NAFTA firms by industry. However, the classification system is
not perfect as firms with dissimilar clients may be classified in one category.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
30. If interest rates increase, business investment expenditures are likely to ______ and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to ________.
A. increase, increase
B. increase, decrease
C. decrease, increase
D. decrease, decrease
E. be unaffected, be unaffected
If interest rates increase, business investment expenditures are likely to decrease and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to decrease.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-37
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
31. Fiscal policy generally has a _______ direct impact than monetary policy on the economy,
and the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy is ______ than that of monetary
policy.
A. more, quicker
B. more, slower
C. less, quicker
D. less, slower
E. Cannot tell from the information given.
Fiscal policy has a more direct impact on the economy than does monetary policy. However,
the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy is much slower than monetary policy.
Monetary policy is determined by the Federal Reserve System. Fiscal policy must be
deliberated, passed, and implemented by both the executive and legislative branches of the
federal government.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
32. Fiscal policy is difficult to implement quickly because
A. it requires political negotiations.
B. much of government spending is nondiscretionary and cannot be changed.
C. increases in tax rates affect consumer spending gradually.
D. it requires political negotiations and much of government spending is nondiscretionary and
cannot be changed.
E. it requires political negotiations and increases in tax rates affect consumer spending
gradually.
Fiscal policy must be negotiated and can change only discretionary items within the budget,
making it more difficult to implement. However, fiscal policy changes affect consumer
spending almost immediately.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-38
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
33. Inflation
A. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing.
B. rates are high when the economy is considered to be "overheated."
C. is unrelated to unemployment rates.
D. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing; and rates are high when the
economy is considered to be "overheated."
E. is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing; and is unrelated to
unemployment rates.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices is increasing and rates are high when
the economy is considered to be "overheated. The government attempts to walk the fine line
of the trade offs between unemployment and inflation.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
Two firms, A and B, both produce widgets. The price of widgets is $1 each. Firm A has total
fixed costs of $500,000 and variable costs of 50 cents per widget. Firm B has total fixed costs
of $240,000 and variable costs of 75 cents per widget. The corporate tax rate is 40%. If the
economy is strong, each firm will sell 1,200,000 widgets. If the economy enters a recession,
each firm will sell 1,100,000 widgets.
34. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm A will be _______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $30,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,100,000 − 500,000 FC − 0.5($1,100,000) VC = ($50,000)(1 −.4) = $30,000
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-39
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
35. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm B will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,100,000 − $240,000 FC − 0.75(1,100,000) VC = $35,000 (1 − 0.4) = $21,000.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
36. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm A will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,200,000 − $500,000 FC − 0.5(1,200,000) VC = $100,000 (1 − 0.4) = $60,000.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-40
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
37. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm B will be _________.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,200,000 − $240,000 FC − 0.75(1,200,000) VC = $60,000 (1 − 0.40) = $36,000.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-41
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
38. Calculate firm A's degree of operating leverage.
A. 11.0
B. 2.86
C. 9.09
D. 1.00
E. None of these is correct.
Based on test bank questions 17.34 and 17.36,DOL = [(60,000 − 30,000)/30,000]/[(1,200,000
− 1,100,000)/(1,100,000)] = 1.000/.0909 = 11.0.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Challenge
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
39. Calculate firm B's degree of operating leverage.
A. .714
B. 9.09
C. 7.86
D. 7.14
E. None of these is correct.
Based on test bank questions 17.35 and 17.37,DOL = [(36,000 − 21,000)/21,000]/[(1,200,000
− 1,100,000)/(1,100,000) = 0.7143/.0909 = 7.86
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Challenge
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-42
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
40. Classifying firms into groups, such as _________ provides an alternative to the industry
life cycle.
A. slow-growers
B. stalwarts
C. countercyclicals
D. slow-growers and stalwarts
E. slow-growers and countercyclicals
The groups in this classification are slow-growers, stalwarts, fast-growers, cyclicals,
turnarounds, and asset plays.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
41. Supply-side economists wishing to stimulate the economy are most likely to recommend
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in production output.
C. an increase in the real interest rate.
D. a decrease in the tax rate.
E. None of these is correct.
Supply-siders argue that lowering tax rates stimulates investment.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-43
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
42. Which of the following are not examples of defensive industries?
A. Food producers.
B. Durable goods producers.
C. Pharmaceutical firms.
D. Public utilities.
E. Durable goods producers and pharmaceutical firms.
Durable goods producers represent a cyclical industry, while the others are examples of
defensive industries.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
43. Which of the following are examples of defensive industries?
A. Food producers.
B. Durable goods producers.
C. Pharmaceutical firms.
D. Public utilities.
E. Food producers, pharmaceutical firms and Public utilities
Durable goods producers represent a cyclical industry, while the others are examples of
defensive industries.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-44
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
44. ________ is a proposition that a strong proponent of supply side economics would most
likely stress.
A. Higher marginal tax rates will lead to a reduction in the size of the budget deficit and lower
interest rates as they depend on government revenues.
B. Higher marginal tax rates promote economic inefficiency and thereby retard aggregate
output as they encourage investors to undertake low productivity projects with substantial tax
shelter benefits.
C. Income redistribution payments will exert little impact on real aggregate supply as they do
not consume resources directly.
D. A tax reduction will increase the disposable income of households, and thus, the primary
impact of a tax reduction on aggregate supply will stem from the influence of the tax change
on the size of the budget deficit or surplus.
E. None of these is a likely statement for a supply-side proponent.
Supply-side economists focus on incentives and marginal tax rates.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
45. The industry life cycle is described by which of the following stage(s)?
A. Start-up.
B. Consolidation.
C. Absolute decline.
D. Start-up and consolidation.
E. Start-up, consolidation and absolute decline.
The four stages of the industry life cycle are: start-up, consolidation, maturity, and relative
decline.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-45
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
46. In the start-up stage of the industry life cycle
A. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail.
B. industry growth is very rapid.
C. firms pay a high level of dividends.
D. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail and industry
growth is very rapid.
E. industry growth is very rapid and firms pay a high level of dividends.
In the start-up stage, it is very difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms
will fail, as no historical data are available. In this stage, industry growth is very rapid (if the
industry is successful) and firms pay little or no dividends.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
47. In the consolidation stage of the industry life-cycle
A. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail.
B. industry growth is very rapid.
C. the performance of firms will more closely track the performance of the overall industry.
D. it is difficult to predict which firms will succeed and which firms will fail and industry
growth is very rapid.
E. industry growth is very rapid and the performance of firms will more closely track the
performance of the overall industry.
In the consolidation stage of the industry life-cycle the performance of firms will more closely
track the performance of the overall industry.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-46
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
48. In the maturity stage of the industry life cycle
A. the product has reached full potential.
B. profit margins are narrower.
C. producers are forced to compete on price to a greater extent.
D. the product has reached full potential and profit margins are narrower.
E. the product has reached full potential, profit margins are narrower, and producers are
forced to compete on price to a greater extent.
In the maturity stage of the industry life cycle the product has reached full potential, profit
margins are narrower, and producers are forced to compete on price to a greater extent.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
49. In the decline stage of the industry life cycle
A. the product may have reached obsolescence.
B. the industry will grow at a rate less than the overall economy.
C. the industry may experience negative growth.
D. the product may have reached obsolescence and the industry will grow at a rate less than
the overall economy.
E. the product may have reached obsolescence, the industry will grow at a rate less than the
overall economy, and the industry may experience negative growth.
In the decline stage of the industry life cycle the product may have reached obsolescence, the
industry will grow at a rate less than the overall economy, and the industry may experience
negative growth.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-47
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
50. A variety of factors relating to industry structure affect the performance of the firm,
including
A. threat of entry.
B. rivalry between existing competitors.
C. the state of the economy.
D. threat of entry and the state of the economy.
E. threat of entry and rivalry between existing competitors.
A variety of factors relating to industry structure affect the performance of the firm, including
threat of entry and rivalry between existing competitors.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
51. The process of estimating the dividends and earnings that can be expected from the firm
based on determinants of value is called
A. business cycle forecasting.
B. macroeconomic forecasting.
C. technical analysis.
D. fundamental analysis.
E. None of these is correct.
Fundamental analysis is the analysis of the determinants of value such as earnings prospects.
It includes both macroeconomic analysis and industry analysis.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-48
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
52. The emerging stock market exhibiting the highest U.S. dollar return in 2009 was
A. Brazil
B. Argentina
C. Poland
D. Mexico
E. China
See Table 17.1.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
53. The life cycle stage in which industry leaders are likely to emerge is the
A. start-up stage.
B. maturity stage.
C. consolidation stage.
D. relative decline stage.
E. All of these are correct.
Industry leaders are most likely to emerge during the consolidation stage, after products
become established.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-49
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
54. Investment manager Peter Lynch refers to firms that are in bankruptcy or soon might be
as
A. slow growers.
B. stalwarts.
C. cyclicals.
D. asset plays.
E. turnarounds.
Lynch classifies firms into six categories. Turnarounds may offer tremendous investment
potential if they can recover.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
55. A top-down analysis of a firm's prospects starts with
A. an examination of the firm's industry.
B. an evaluation of the firm's position within its industry.
C. a forecast of interest rate movements.
D. an assessment of the broad economic environment.
E. the application of the CAPM to find the firm's theoretical return.
A top-down analysis first looks at the broad economy, then the industry, then the firm's
position within the industry.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-50
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
56. In recent years, P/E multiples for S&P500 companies have
A. ranged from -1 to -10.
B. ranged from 1 to 8.
C. ranged from 6 to 10.
D. ranged from 12 to 25.
E. ranged from 20 to more than 50.
Since 1994 P/Es have risen dramatically but fall within the range of 12 to 25.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
57. The industry with the highest ROE in 2009 was
A. food.
B. data storage.
C. business software.
D. computer systems.
E. integrated oil & gas.
See Figure 17.6.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
58. The industry with the lowest ROE in 2009 was
A. food.
B. data storage.
C. business software.
D. iron/steel.
E. integrated oil & gas.
See Figure 17.6.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-51
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
59. The industry with the lowest return in 2009 was
A. renewable energy equipment.
B. oil equipment.
C. health care.
D. brokerage.
E. banking.
See Figure 17.7.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
60. The industry with the highest return in 2009 was
A. home construction.
B. travel and tourism.
C. health care.
D. brokerage.
E. banking.
See Figure 17.7.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-52
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
61. Investors can ______ invest in an industry with the highest expected return by purchasing
_____.
A. most easily; industry-specific iShares
B. not; industry-specific iShares
C. most easily; industry-specific ADRs
D. not; individual stocks
E. None of these is correct.
Investors can most easily invest in an industry with the highest expected return by purchasing
industry-specific iShares.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
62. Which of the following are key economic statistics that are used to describe the state of
the macroeconomy?
I) Gross domestic product
II) The unemployment rate
III) Inflation
IV) Consumer sentiment
V) The budget deficit
A. I, II, and V
B. I, III, and V
C. I, II, and III
D. I, II, III, and V
E. I, II, III, IV, and V
All of the factors are key economic statistics.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-53
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
63. An example of a positive demand shock is
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in government spending.
C. a decrease in foreign export demand.
D. a decrease in the price of imported oil.
E. a decrease in tax rates.
Increases in the items mentioned in answers A, B, and C would be unfavorable demand
shocks. Imported oil price changes are supply shocks. A decrease in tax rates is the only
favorable demand shock mentioned.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
64. An example of a negative demand shock is
A. a decrease in the money supply.
B. a decrease in government spending.
C. an increase in foreign export demand.
D. a decrease in the price of imported oil.
E. a decrease in the money supply and a decrease in government spending.
A decrease in the money supply and a decrease in government spending would be unfavorable
demand shocks. Imported oil price changes are supply shocks. An increase in foreign export
demand would be a favorable demand shock.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-54
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
65. During which stage of the industry life cycle would a firm experience stable growth in
sales?
A. Consolidation
B. Relative Decline
C. Maturity
D. Start-up
E. Stabilization
One of the features of the Consolidation phase is stable growth. There is no "Stabilization"
stage. During Start-up there is rapid growth; during the Maturity phase there is slowing
growth; and during the Relative Decline phase there is minimal or negative growth.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
66. The emerging stock market exhibiting the highest local currency return in 2009 was
A. Russia
B. China
C. Poland
D. Mexico
E. Bolivia
See Table 17.1.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-55
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
67. Sector rotation
A. should always be carried out.
B. is never worthwhile.
C. is shifting the portfolio more heavily toward an industry or sector that is expected to
perform well in the future.
D. can be implemented costlessly.
E. None of these is correct.
Sector rotation is shifting the portfolio more heavily toward an industry or sector that is
expected to perform well in the future.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
68. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when new entrants to an industry put pressure on prices and profits.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
Threat of Entry is when new entrants to an industry put pressure on prices and profits.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-56
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
69. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when competitors seek to expand their share of the market.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
Rivalry between Existing Competitors is when competitors seek to expand their share of the
market.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
70. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when the availability limits the prices that can be charged to customers.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
Pressure from Substitute Products is when the availability limits the prices that can be charged
to customers.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
17-57
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
71. According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
_____ is when a buyer purchases a large fraction of an industry's output and can demand price
concessions.
A. Threat of Entry
B. Rivalry between Existing Competitors
C. Pressure from Substitute Products
D. Bargaining power of Buyers
E. Bargaining power of Suppliers
According to Michael Porter, there are five determinants of competition. An example of
Bargaining power of Buyers is when a buyer purchases a large fraction of an industry's output
and can demand price concessions.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
72. Assume the U. S. government was to decide to increase the budget deficit. This action will
most likely cause __________ to increase.
A. interest rates
B. government borrowing
C. unemployment
D. both interest rates and government borrowing
E. None of these is correct.
Decreasing the deficit lowers government borrowing, decreases the demand for funds and
thus decreases the interest rates. Increasing the deficit does the opposite.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-58
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
73. If interest rates decrease, business investment expenditures are likely to ______ and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to ________.
A. increase, increase
B. increase, decrease
C. decrease, increase
D. decrease, decrease
E. be unaffected, be unaffected
If interest rates decrease, business investment expenditures are likely to increase and
consumer durable expenditures are likely to increase.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
74. An example of a defensive industry is _______.
A. the automobile industry
B. the tobacco industry
C. the food industry
D. both the automobile industry and the tobacco industry
E. both the tobacco industry and the food industry
Consumer durables, such as automobiles, are highly cyclical as purchases can be delayed until
good times. Necessities, low-ticket items, and addictive products are purchased in good times
and bad.
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Remember
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Industry analysis
Two firms, C and D, both produce coat hangers. The price of coat hangers is $1.20 each.
Firm C has total fixed costs of $750,000 and variable costs of 30 cents per coat hanger. Firm
D has total fixed costs of $400,000 and variable costs of 50 cents per coat hanger. The
corporate tax rate is 40%. If the economy is strong, each firm will sell 2,000,000 coat hangers.
If the economy enters a recession, each firm will sell 1,400,000 coat hangers.
17-59
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
75. If the economy enters a recession, the total revenue of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,400,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $0
E. None of these is correct.
1,400,000(1.20) = $1,680,000
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
76. If the economy enters a recession, the total cost of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $750,000
D. $420,000
E. None of these is correct.
1,400,000($.30) +$750,000 = $1,170,000
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-60
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
77. If the economy enters a recession, the before tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,680,000 − 1,170,000 = 510,000 (see response to questions 75 and 76)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-61
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
78. If the economy enters a recession, the tax of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
$510,000(.4) = $204,000 (see response to question 77)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
79. If the economy enters a recession, the after-tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. $306,000
$510,000 − 204,000 = $306,000 (see response to questions 77 and 78)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-62
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
80. If the economy is strong, the total revenue of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,400,000
C. $2,000,000
D. $2,400,000
E. None of these is correct.
2,000,000(1.20) = $2,400,000
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-63
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
81. If the economy is strong, the total cost of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,170,000
C. $1,350,000
D. $420,000
E. None of these is correct.
2,000,000(.30) +$750,000 = $1,350,000
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
82. If the economy is strong, the before tax profit of Firm C will be _______.
A. $1,680,000
B. $1,050,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
$2,400,000 − 1,350,000 = $1,050,000 (see response to questions 80 and 81)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-64
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
83. If the economy is strong, the tax of Firm C will be _______.
A. $420,000
B. $750,000
C. $510,000
D. $204,000
E. None of these is correct.
$1,050,000(.4) = $420,000 (see response to question 82)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-65
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
84. If the economy is strong, the after-tax profit of Firm C will be ______.
A. $0
B. $6,000
C. $36,000
D. $60,000
E. $630,000
$1,050,000 − $420,000 = 630,000 (see response to questions 82 and 83)
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
85. If a firm's sales decrease by 15% and profits decrease by 20% during a recession, the
firms operating leverage is ___________?
A. 1.33
B. 0.75
C. 5
D. -5
E. None of these is correct.
−20/−15 = 1.33
AACSB: Analytic
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Industry analysis
Short Answer Questions
17-66
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
86. Discuss the tools of the U. S. government's "demand-side" policy. Include in your
discussion of these tools the relative advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of the
effect of the use of these tools on the economy.
The two tools of the government's "demand-side" policy are fiscal and monetary policy.
Fiscal policy is the use of government spending and taxing for the specific purpose of
stabilizing the economy. Fiscal policy, once enacted, has the most direct and immediate effect
on the economy. However, the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy is extremely
slow, as such policy must be approved by both the legislative and executive branches of the
federal government. Monetary policy consists of actions taken by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (FRS) to influence the money supply and/or interest rates.
Monetary policy is relatively easy to formulate and to implement, but has less direct impact
on the economy than fiscal policy. The most widely used tool of the FRS is the open market
operations, in which the Fed buys or sells bonds for the Fed's account. Buying securities
increases the money supply; selling securities decreases the money supply. Open market
operations occur daily. Other FRS tools include adjusting the discount rate, which is the
interest rate the Fed charges banks on short-term loans, and altering reserve requirements,
which are the fraction of deposits that banks must maintain in cash deposits with the Fed.
Increases in the money supply signal an expansionary monetary policy; lowering reserve
requirements increase the money supply, and thus, stimulate the economy. The Fed walks a
fine line: expansionary monetary policy probably will lower interest rates and stimulate
investment and consumption in the short run, but ultimately inflation probably will result.
Feedback: The rationale of this question is to ascertain whether the student has an
understanding of the basic principles of macroeconomics.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Bloom's: Evaluate
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-67
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
87. Discuss the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)'s indexes of economic
indicators, and how each of the categories of these indicators might be used by the securities'
analyst.
The NBER has developed a set of cyclical indicators to help forecast, measure, and interpret
short-term fluctuations in economic activity. The leading economic indicators are those that
tend to increase or decrease in advance of the rest of the economy. These indicators are used
to forecast the state of the economy for the coming period (usually one year). Coincident
economic indicators move in tandem with the broad economy, and are used to confirm (or
disconfirm) an earlier economic prediction. Lagging economic indicators are those that move
after the broad economy, and are used to identify the end of a stage of the business cycle
(such as a trough) and as an indication that another stage of business cycle (such as the
expansion) is about to begin. The S&P 500 stock index is an excellent leading economic
indicator, as would be expected by market efficiency proponents. However, if the stock
market anticipates general economic trends, the task of the fundamentalist using economic
forecasts to identify attractive industries (and thus stocks) for the future becomes even more
impossible.
Feedback: The purpose of this question is to ascertain the student's understanding of the
widely quoted economic indicators and the usefulness (and lack thereof) in securities'
analysis.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-68
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
88. Discuss the industry life cycle, how this concept can be used by security analysts, and the
limitations of this concept for security analysis.
The industry life cycle may be defined by the following stages: start up (rapid and increasing
growth), consolidation (stable growth), maturity (slowing growth), and relative decline
(minimal or negative growth). Investors interested in identifying new, and presumably
ultimately successful, industries will use this technique, trying to get in on the "ground floor".
In the start up stage, no historical data is present; thus, one cannot identify potentially
successful firms. However, typically, all of the firms are selling at low prices and the investor
will "diversify across the industry" by buying many different stocks in the industry. If the
industry becomes successful, the surviving firms will appreciate substantially in value; the
non-surviving firms will be written off as losses. Typically, in this stage, firms are paying
little or no dividends. Investment in this stage is for the risk-tolerant investor. As the industry
moves from the start up to the consolidation stage, firms begin paying or increasing
dividends; the surviving firms become more successful, begin to enjoy economies of scale,
and are moving up the learning curve in terms of cost efficiency. In the maturity stage, the
growth has slowed and dividends may have increased; less risk is involved. By the relative
decline stage, the firm has no new exciting capital budgeting projects and may have become
an "income stock", by paying out a higher than average level of dividends. At this stage, the
stock may be attractive for the risk-averse retiree interested in dividend income. However, the
stock must be watched carefully in this stage, as this industry may be dying (buggy whips).
However, over the industry life cycle, the clientele for the firms' stocks have changed, from
the risk-tolerant to the risk averse.
The problem with using this concept for investment purposes is identifying where the industry
is in the industry life cycle. In addition, all industries do not move through the cycle in the
same fashion. In fact, the goal is to avoid the relative decline stage.
Feedback: The purpose of this question is to ascertain whether the student understands the
industry life cycle, how the concept can be used by investors, and the limitations of the
concept for investors.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Industry analysis
17-69
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
89. Discuss the ways in which the global economy might have an effect on a firm whose
headquarters are in Montana. Be specific—cite some of the relevant factors that should be
considered.
A firm that operates from Montana cannot ignore the global economy. The firm may make
sales to other countries, employ people from other countries, and invest in other countries. It
may face price competition from similar firms abroad, be subject to wages that are different
from those paid by foreign firms, and management may have less power to do what it wants
due to labor unions. Exports of its products and imports will be influenced by the global
economy. Interest rates in other countries will determine part of the return on the firm's
investments. Exchange rates pose an additional risk if the company wants to repatriate its
earnings. Countries' political and economic policies should be considered, with some being
more predictable than others. Global markets have some linkages, but there are significant
variations in performance among countries.
Feedback: This question emphasizes the importance of the global economy, which should not
be ignored when doing a macroeconomic analysis.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Bloom's: Apply
Difficulty: Basic
Topic: Macroeconomic analysis
17-70
Chapter 17 - Macroeconomic and Industry Analysis
90. List and discuss three of the five determinants of competition suggested in Porter's 1985
study.
The determinants are: the threat of entry from new competitors, rivalry between existing
competitors, price pressure from substitute products, the bargaining power of buyers, and the
bargaining power of suppliers. Each of these is discussed below.
Threat of entry from new competitors—if there are high profit margins in the industry, new
competitors will be likely to enter. There may be some barriers to entry that existing firms can
establish to discourage this. Possible barriers include longstanding relationships with
suppliers and buyers, proprietary knowledge or patents, brand loyalty, and experience in the
market.
Rivalry between existing competitors—this could lead to price competition and lower profit
margins. Expansion of one firm cuts into the rivals' market shares. Firms with homogeneous
products face price pressure because they are unable to differentiate their products from their
competitors' products. High fixed costs might force a company to operate at close to full
capacity.
Price pressure from substitute products—if firms in related industries produce similar
products, the firm may not be able to charge as much for its product. Some examples are
carbonated beverages and fruit drinks, paint and wallpaper, and movies and videos. Many
other examples may be offered.
Bargaining power of buyers—buyers might have bargaining power if they purchase a
substantial proportion of the firm's output. The firm might have to settle for accepting a lower
price for its products. The automobile industry is an example given in the textbook.
Bargaining power of suppliers—if the firm depends on a supplier to provide much of its
inputs, the supplier might demand a higher price. This is especially true if there are no easily
available alternative suppliers. Labor unions are cited as an example.
Feedback: This question tests the student's understanding of the relationships among industry
structure, competitive strategy, and profitability.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Bloom's: Understand
Difficulty: Intermediate
Topic: Industry analysis
17-71