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Sep
19
2020
By Matthew Jean-Mary
Wage Violations are Shameful

Wage Violations are Shameful

All Posts, Economy and Government
There has been a drastic increase in worker violations since the onset of COVID-19. The American employer has responded by seemingly being passive with regards to the exploitation of their labor as times have become especially dire. There is no time to be prideful with fighting for their deserved liberties, as now COVID has led many to the mentality of survival. Many workers are grateful for just having a job, as with an unemployment rate of about 8.4%, getting too picky can easily lead to them being one of millions not having a stable source of income. The Washington Center…
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Sep
16
2020
By Maxwell Qian
Why Does the Fed Target 2% Inflation?

Why Does the Fed Target 2% Inflation?

All Posts, Economy and Government
Since January 2012, the Federal Reserve has maintained a target of 2 percent inflation for the US economy.  The target allows the Fed to perform its congressionally mandated jobs of maintaining price stability and maximum employment.  Before the 1970s, economists believed inflation and unemployment had a permanent negative correlation so that low inflation and low unemployment could not be achieved at the same time.   However, the 1970s oil shock brought on a period of high inflation and unemployment known as stagflation.  With the high rates of the 1970s, the Fed needed a new way to control inflation.  At the time,…
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Sep
07
2020
By Matthew Jean-Mary
Microsoft and TikTok

Microsoft and TikTok

All Posts, Industries
In case you haven’t heard, President Trump said he planned to ban TikTok in the United States sometime in September of this year because of the risk of the popular social media app, impeding among American freedoms and security. To counteract the gaping hole that would be left by the fun and transcendent experience of posting short-1 minute clips of drop dead humor, Microsoft offered to jump in and buy TikTok. And then recently just a few days ago, Walmart also entered the competition for America’s most comedic website. Now Walmart and Microsoft are teaming up in attempting to claim…
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Aug
31
2020
By Dave Ghosh
OPINION: The Value of an MBA

OPINION: The Value of an MBA

All Posts, Opinion
There was a time when a Master’s in Business Administration – simply known as an “MBA” – was the degree to pursue. Regardless of price, it gave people a chance to pursue a high-earning career of their choice. If one felt trapped by a job and wanted a breath of fresh air, an MBA provided them the opportunity to switch to something else. If one wanted to maximize their wages but could not do so with their present job, an MBA allowed them to increase their earnings. Schools continue to advertise the degree as one that can propel someone to…
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Aug
31
2020
By Maxwell Qian
Dry Powder: Economic Threats in the Post-Pandemic Era

Dry Powder: Economic Threats in the Post-Pandemic Era

All Posts, Economy and Government
As part of the historic 2nd quarter contraction in the US gross domestic product, investment spending decreased by a massive 49% under the duress precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Poor general economic conditions translated to uncertainty in the minds of investors.  Meanwhile, investors received government relief aid that they did not use to invest.  As a result, there is now an estimated $1.5 trillion in unused capital in private equity funds alone that could be invested as soon as negative economic conditions recede. This massive glut of capital could create an explosion of investment and is therefore referred to as…
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Aug
31
2020
By Gabriel Hinojosa
Stock Splits, Why?

Stock Splits, Why?

All Posts, Economy and Government
For many people, the stock market seems daunting, regardless of how much money you have or do not have. The number one concern investors have about any stock is the price. Lower priced stocks are more attractive to investors for a multitude of reasons, but there is one main reason: they can buy more shares with the same investment. Smaller share prices make it more attractive for small investors to buy shares of a stock. Companies know this truth about investing; for that reason, the most popular stocks, including Apple, Google, and Amazon, have all split multiple times in the…
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Jul
22
2020
By Maxwell Qian
Emissions Bounce Back as Economies Reopen

Emissions Bounce Back as Economies Reopen

All Posts, Sustainability
As people around the world faced forced confinements caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global greenhouse gas emissions fell as a result.  A study led by climate scientist Corinne Le Quéré of the University of East Anglia published in the journal Nature estimated that emissions fell by 8% compared with 2019 levels.  That drop brought emissions in line with their 2006 level.  The researchers estimated that total 2020 emissions would fall by between 4 and 7% compared to last year.  However, with communities reopening around the world, carbon emissions have begun to return, ticking back up to just 5% below 2019…
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Jun
04
2020
By Maxwell Qian
European Central Bank Ramps Up Asset Purchases in Light of Pandemic

European Central Bank Ramps Up Asset Purchases in Light of Pandemic

All Posts, Economy and Government
On June 4, 2020, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it would increase its envelope of asset purchases by €600 billion to a total of €1.35 trillion. The increased purchases will further the central bank's policy of monetary easing in order to help households and businesses deal with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase comes in response to disinflation and fears of a possible deflationary spiral. The ECB plans to continue asset purchases until it believes the coronavirus crisis is over and plans to reinvest any payments from maturing assets into further purchases. European interest rates will…
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Jun
02
2020
By Maxwell Qian
Negative Interest Rates: A Novel Solution or a Novelty Item?

Negative Interest Rates: A Novel Solution or a Novelty Item?

All Posts, Economy and Government
In the wake of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some in the United States, including president Donald Trump, have called on the Federal Reserve to push interest rates below zero.  Negative interest rates would be unprecedented in the US but they have become established monetary policy in Europe and Japan.  Such rates represent a logical extension of expansionary monetary policy while also breaking key economic laws.  This counterintuitive policy raises more questions than it appears to answer.  How do negative interest rates work? could we really be paid to borrow money? and most importantly, can negative interest…
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