Fundamentals of Economics and Financial Markets

Overview of the G7 Economies: What is the current state of the major economies? To what extent are we dependent upon the US and Chinese consumer? What should the economies look like? Macro-economic Policy tools: Fiscal Policy - Is there a limit to how much governments can spend? How sustainable are the developed world deficits? What else can central banks do when interest rates are zero? Traditional vs. unconventional methods Analysis of Asset Bubbles and the Credit Crunch: How common are asset bubbles and what are the similarities? Why do investors not realize a bubble is forming? What lessons can we learn from previous bubbles? Monetary Policy Committee Exercise: Using extensive economic data from the Bank of England Inflation report and analysis of current state of the economy, Predictions as to the future path of interest rates as part of an exercise