I’m working on a international economics discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

#1 Watch the movie: The True Cost (Links to an external site.).

#2 Choose TWO of the following topics to discuss:

1. Why are clothing companies outsourcing labor to factories in the Global South? Do you think that so much production has been relocated there because of, or in spite of, the bad conditions that factory workers there face? What effect has outsourcing had on the manufacturing sector, jobs, and the Main Street economy in the US and other Western countries?

2. As demonstrated in the film, some economists argue that conditions in garment factories, bad as they may be, are better opportunities for workers in “developing” countries than they would have otherwise. After watching this film, do you buy this argument? Even if the argument is true, does that mean that conditions should not be improved? How are women’s rights particularly affected?

3. Given that labor and environmental laws are weaker in “developing” countries, are fast-fashion companies’ voluntary codes of conduct sufficient to improve working conditions in garment factories? If not, how can domestic and international law be changed to make this improvement?

4. The garment industry is the second-most polluting in the world. A significant amount of this pollution is the “disposable” clothing itself. Why is there so much waste? How does this waste affect the environment? How does the waste and acceleration of garment production contribute to climate change? What can be done to reduce waste, the garment industry’s effect on the climate and on the environment in general?

5. How can consumers affect change on this model? As experts posit in the film, consuming more can have a negative effect on your psyche. Can a change in your consumption habits improve your well-being? How can it improve the well-being of others?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the source of some global macroeconomic information. You will compare macroeconomic data for different countries and apply what you learned in class in making recommendations about productivity and economic growth for a “poor” country.

INSTRUCTIONS

Select a country you think is rich. 2 points

Select a country you think is poor. 2 Points

1. Go to the website CIA WORLD FACT BOOK
2. From the CIA website in 3 above, compile data for the current 2 to 3 years for each country you selected in 1 & 2 above:
3. Write a paper that includes the following for each country:

Name of country. 2 points

Continent country is in. 2 points

1. Location of country (Which countries are around your chosen country?). 2 points
2. 3 natural resources in each country. 6 points

Population for most recent year. 2 points

1. Population growth rate for most recent year. 2 points
2. Unemployment rate for recent 2-3 years. 6 points
3. Percentage of population that is educated for most recent year. 2 points
4. Real GDP for recent 2-3 years. 6 points
5. Real GDP per capita (per person) for recent 2-3 years: 6 points
6. Growth rate of real GDP for recent 2-3 years. 6 points
7. Life expectancy for recent 2-3 years. 6 points
8. Inflation rate for recent 2-3 years. 6 points
9. Percentage of population using internet for most current year. 2 points
10. Compare the information you gathered for the two countries:
11. What is the difference between the rich and poor country? 8 points
12. Is there any information you found that surprised you about any of the countries or their differences? 3 points
13. Is real GDP stable, increasing, or decreasing over the current period of 2 to 3 years? 3 points
14. Is the inflation rate stable, increasing, or decreasing over the current 2 to 3 years? 3 points
15. What do you think is responsible for the poor country being poor and the rich country being rich? 4 points

Q1. What is the current market price of a bond that has a face value of $1 million at the end of 2 years and pays semiannually coupons at a rate of 5.2% p.a., if the discount rate is 8% p.a.?(Show your calculations) (1.5 Marks)

Q2. Facebook paid its common stocks a dividend of $0.77 last year. The company expects growth to continue at 10% p.a. for the next 2 years and 5% p.a. thereafter. What is the current price of the share? common shareholders’ rate of return is 10% p.a.(Show your calculations) (2 Marks)

Q3.Your company is looking at a project that requires a $50,000 investment. It is expected that the project will generate cash flows of $15,000 in year 1, $20,000 in year 2, $17,000 in year 3, and $13,000 in year 4. Using the NPV method, should the project be undertaken if your shareholders’ required rate of return is 5%?(Show your calculations) (1.5 Marks)

I’m working on a finance discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

EVALUATION OF P/E RATIO 

Step 1: Read the articles. These articles contain examples of evaluating P/E ratio. You will be using these examples to answer the questions listed at the bottom of the topic description.

1)      Does Chicago Rivet & Machine Co’s (CVR) PE Ratio Signal A Buying Opportunity?  by Kelly Murphy, Simply – Wall St. October 5, 2017

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/does-chicago-rivet-machine-co-201613354.html

2)      Is Cynergistek Inc’s (CTEK) PE Ratio A Signal To Buy For Investors? by Mary Ramos Simply, Wall St. October 5, 2017

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cynergistek-inc-ctek-pe-ratio-144611055.html

3)      Does Katana Capital Limited’s (ASX:KAT) PE Ratio Signal A Selling Opportunity? by Kyle Sanford , Simply Wall St. October 5, 2017

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/does-katana-capital-limited-asx-074409705.html

You must use the company assigned for you for the project.

Your Task:

Please also note that your answers should be written in your own words. Don’t use quotes from the articles.  

You are expected to make your own contribution in a main topic as well as respond with value added comments to at least two of your classmates as well as to your instructor.

For this question we will be using P/E ratio.

To find a company’s P/E ratio, use www.morningstar.com , enter the desired stock symbol to get to the company’s front page.  The P/E ratio is listed on the company’s front page.

Compare the P/E ratio of your company with the industry average or with major competitors. Is there a difference between these numbers? Is the stock overvalued, undervalued, or properly valued? Why?  In accordance with your findings, is it reasonable to buy the stock? Please explain your answers.

The drawings and the case study should be in one document. Case Study 14.1—New Jersey Kills Hudson River Tunnel Project

This case illustrates the challenges in making an early termination decision. Often, particularly in the case of public projects, there is a real difficulty in stopping a project once it has gotten “on the books.” As a result, projects with huge cost overruns, like Boston’s “Big Dig” are allowed to continue almost indefinitely. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made a tough call in deciding to cancel the Hudson River Tunnel project because he was given a number of rosy projections that did not match the actual costs incurred to that date. This is a great case to let students pick sides: should Christie have cancelled the project or not? There are arguments to be made that the need was strong (although others could argue that the need was over-sold). On the other hand, the history of the project to date and the uncertainty about future federal funding made it a real gamble, especially during a time of economic recession.

Questions

How would you respond to the argument that it is impossible to judge how successful a project like this one would have been unless you actually do it?

Take a position, either pro or con, on Christie’s decision to kill the ARC. Develop arguments to support your point of view.

In your opinion, how clearly must a large infrastructure project like ARC have determined its need, costs, and so forth before being approved? If the criteria are too stringent, what is the implication for future projects of this type? Would any ever be built?