The Following Passage Is the Opening Paragraph from the April

question 96

Multiple Choice

The following passage is the opening paragraph from the April 13, 2016 Beige Book: Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts suggest that national economic activity continued to expand in late February and March, though the pace of growth varied across Districts. Most Districts said that economic growth was in the modest to moderate range and that contacts expected growth would remain in that range going forward. Consumer spending increased modestly in most Districts and reports on tourism were mostly positive. Labor market conditions continued to strengthen and business spending generally expanded across most Districts. Demand for nonfinancial services grew moderately overall. Manufacturing activity increased in most Districts. Construction and real estate activity also expanded. Credit conditions improved, on net, in most Districts. Low prices weighed on energy and mining output as well as prospects for agricultural producers. Overall, prices increased modestly across the majority of Districts, and input cost pressures continued to ease. From the passage, you might expect that the Fed would be given priority to:

• A) the promotion of economic growth.
• B) maintaining full employment.
• C) stable prices.
• D) moderate long-term interest rates.

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Definitions:

Optimal Consumption

The point at which a consumer maximizes their satisfaction or utility from consumption under their budget constraints.

Marginal Utility

Marginal utility is the additional satisfaction or utility that a consumer receives from consuming one more unit of a good or service.

Dollar Spent

A unit of expenditure, often used to discuss the impact or value of spending in terms of economic activity or investment.

Marginal Utility

The increase in satisfaction or useful value obtained from the consumption of yet another unit of a good or service.