Siegel points out that, “It is commonly assumed that a reces…

Siegel points out that, “It is commonly assumed that a recession occurs when real gross domestic product, the most inclusive measure of economic output, declines for two consecutive quarters. However, the organization that dates business cycles in the U.S. focuses instead on which of the following economic time series? More than one answer may be correct. For full credit, you must select all of the correct answers and none of the incorrect answers.

Inflation is bad for consumers, who must pay higher nominal…

Inflation is bad for consumers, who must pay higher nominal prices for the same goods and services, and bad for lenders, who are repaid in nominal dollars with lower purchasing power. Yet the U.S. and British stock markets reacted very positively when Great Britain abandoned the gold standard in September 1931 and when the U.S. suspended the gold standard in April 1933. Why did investors interpret these actions as good for stocks?

The SEC approves 12b-1 fees added to mutual fund expenses in…

The SEC approves 12b-1 fees added to mutual fund expenses in order to pay for advertising on the theory that this fee allows the fund to build up assets, thereby increasing its economy of scale and then later reducing fees. What evidence does Bernstein present that 12b-1 fees added to mutual fund expenses offer no benefit to investors?

Suppose that you live in Texas, which has no income tax, and…

Suppose that you live in Texas, which has no income tax, and thus you only pay the federal income tax. Suppose that your tax rate on cash dividends is as the tax rate on long-term capital gains. Why is the effective tax rate on capital gains lower than on the dividends?

Siegel points out that, “It is commonly assumed that a reces…

Siegel points out that, “It is commonly assumed that a recession occurs when real gross domestic product, the most inclusive measure of economic output, declines for two consecutive quarters. However, the organization that dates business cycles in the U.S. focuses instead on which of the following economic time series? More than one answer may be correct. For full credit, you must select all of the correct answers and none of the incorrect answers.