EconomyWorld.org

Chennai, September 28, 2006: Spencer’s is fast emerging as a key retail brand in the country. The 80-store supermarket chain, part of the RPG group, is comprised of 7 hypermarkets each occupying more than 35,000 sq.ft, 3 supermarkets up to 15,000 sq.ft, and 70 Daily stores between 4,000 to 7,000 sq.ft where consumers can purchase fresh produce, frozen products, bakery products, groceries and other daily requirements.

Spencer’s Retail plans to open Spencer’s Dailies in Pune, Hyderabad, Trichy and Bangalore. According to the company, in October it will open one new store every two days.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta today announced the publication of a guide for consumers and businesses that provides information on the most common forms of making financial payments. The brochure, Paying for It: Checks, Cash, and Electronic Payments, introduces consumers to the options available for exchanging money for goods and services and describes the Federal Reserve’s role in the nation’s payment system.

The Atlanta Fed’s new brochure introduces consumers to the options available for exchanging money for goods and services and describes the Federal Reserve’s role in the nation’s payment system.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta today announced the publication of a guide for consumers and businesses that provides information on the most common forms of making financial payments. The brochure, Paying for It: Checks, Cash, and Electronic Payments, introduces consumers to the options available for exchanging money for goods and services and describes the Federal Reserve’s role in the nation’s payment system.

Real estate investing is a lot like buying stocks; ideally you want to buy low and sell high. While you do not make any money until both sides of the transaction are complete (i.e. buy and sell), there are things that you can do to make sure that you are getting in at a great price before you purchase.

This online economic and financial education newsletter is designed for classroom teachers in middle and high school. Published twice a year, Extra Credit provides informative articles, lesson plans and activities, teaching tips, and a calendar of teacher workshops and events.

Articles in the fall 2006 issue include a message from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, an announcement about a lesson plan contest, a look at inflation’s effect on the economy, and an activity about choosing a credit card.

Pune, September 26, 2006: Real estate services firm Cushman Wakefield has reported that real estate prices in Pune have risen by 10-25% in a year overall and by as much as 50-70% in select areas. Growth of the IT/ITES sector has been driving up prices particularly in areas near the Hinjewadi IT park.

Economic Review article by Myriam Quispe-Agnoli and Elena Whisler. Ecuador officially dollarized in 2000 to help alleviate an economic and banking crisis, while El Salvador dollarized in 2001 to enhance already successful reforms. This article examines whether dollarization has brought the benefits expected.

Economic Review article by Mark J. Flannery and W. Scott Frame. Recent financial and accounting difficulties at some Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) caught many observers off guard. This article analyzes differences in the FHLBs’ risk-taking incentives versus Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s.

Economic Review article by Rajeev Dhawan and Karsten Jeske. Using a model that incorporates energy use into the production function, the authors explore why energy price hikes had vastly different effects on economic growth from 1970 to 1985 than they have today.

Economic Review article by Paula Tkac. This article provides a rare examination of socially responsible investors, using a comprehensive data set to categorize the investors and identify their objectives and the firms they target.

Working Paper 2006-12 by Brian S. Armour and M. Melinda Pitts. Smokers incur higher net marginal Social Security tax rates because of shorter life expectancies, the authors find. In addition, smoking works to widen the gap between low- and high-earnings workers.

Working Paper 2006-13 by Stephen Quinn and William Roberds. By issuing money whose value was not directly tied to coin, the Bank of Amsterdam was the first true central bank. This innovation arose from the early Dutch Republic’s chaotic monetary conditions.

Tonight’s podcast is about HEICO (HEI), a stock that I wrote up on my blog on Friday. The stock shows strong revenue and earnings growth, reasonable valuation, and a nice chart.

Robert Bagosy has been named assistant vice president for law enforcement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, announced Jack Guynn, president and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Fed. Bagosy is responsible for the Sixth Federal Reserve District’s law enforcement function and serves as department officer for the Atlanta Law Enforcement Unit and its training center.

Robert Bagosy has been named assistant vice president for law enforcement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, announced Jack Guynn, president and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Fed. Bagosy is responsible for the Sixth Federal Reserve District’s law enforcement function and serves as department officer for the Atlanta Law Enforcement Unit and its training center.

During the past five to ten years, the trade finance business has changed dramatically.

During the past five to ten years, the trade finance business has changed dramatically.

Have you ever seen such a crazy real estate market? Depending upon where you live, you may be saying this is the worst real estate market in 20 years or you may be saying let the good times roll. Talk about a real split personality situation.

Tonight’s podcast is about a small, rapidly-growing retail firm that caters to the youth market. We look at Zumiez (ZMZ), discussing a current upgrade, the latest quarter, longer-term views, valuation, and a point & figure chart. While not cheap, the stock appears to have excellent potential.