A Key Finding of the Economic Analysis of Financial Structure

question 34

Multiple Choice

A key finding of the economic analysis of financial structure is that

• A)the existence of the free-rider problem for traded securities helps to explain why banks play a predominant role in financing the activities of businesses.
• B)while free-rider problems limit the extent to which securities markets finance some business activities,nevertheless the majority of funds going to businesses are channeled through securities markets.
• C)given the great extent to which securities markets are regulated,free-rider problems are not of significant economic consequence in these markets.
• D)economists do not have a very good explanation for why securities markets are so heavily regulated.

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Definitions:

Economic Profits

The difference between total revenue and total costs, including both explicit and implicit costs, representing excess returns over the firm's opportunity costs.

Purely Competitive Market

A trading environment with a large number of consumers and providers, barrier-free entrance and departure, and a standardized product.

Long-run Equilibrium

A state where all factors of production in an economy are utilized efficiently, market supply equals demand, and no economic forces are pushing for change.

Economic Profits

The difference between total revenue and total costs, including both explicit and implicit costs, representing excess revenue over the opportunity cost of resources employed.