Business and economy news for kids of all ages primary, middle, and high school.

“Today Shapes Tomorrow

 Published Every Monday    Volume 223 February 21, 2011
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Business fun facts! 

Over 57 million kids to attend US K-12 grades.  Over 20 million will attend US colleges and universities.

The current world population is estimated to be 6.6 billion. 

China has the highest population in the world with close to 1.3 billion people.

The second highest is India with close to 1.1 billon people.

China and India make up for over 36% of the world population or approximately 36 out of every 100 people on earth are from China and India. 

The US population is close to 300 million.  So for every American there are almost 8 Chinese and Indians

Top import partners of US are -  #1 Canada and China, #2 Mexico, #3 Japan


How many children are in the US?
Every 2 out of 10 people living in the US are children between the ages of 0 and 15 years.

There are approximately 300 million people in the US;  approximately 60 million are children between the ages 0 and 15 years.

How many of the 60 million children are boys and girls?
Approximately half and half are boys and girls.

The world GDP is close to $50 Trillion. 

The US GDP is $13 Trillion.  The US is the largest economy in the world and contributes over 25% to the world economy.

US population is 301 milion.  Roughly half or 153 million people are capable to work.
Approximately 60 million are children between the ages 0 and 15 years in the U.S.

US exports close to $1 trillion a year. US imports close to $2 trillion a year. That would create a trade imbalace of $1 trillion a year!

Top four export partners are Canada, Mexico, Japan, China.

Top four import partners are Canada, China, Mexico, and Japan.


Market continue to rise - the DOW is up 124 points for the week

The DOW closed up 124 points, or 1.0% the S&P500 was up 14 points, or 1.1%, and NASDAQ up 24 points, or 0.8%, for the week ending February 18th.  Oil closed up $0.62 at $86.20 per barrel this last week.


Consumer Price Index (CPI) inches upward in Janaury 


According to the US Labor Department, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), measure of retail prices and inflation, increased in January by 1.6% on a yearly basis.  December CPI was 1.5%.  On a monthly basis January CPI rose by 0.4% which is the same as in December.  The CPI includes food and energy prices which are more volatile, or in other words change a lot, have increased.  For example, food prices are up by 1.8% and Gas prices up by 13.4% over the past 12 months.  Most experts like to watch core CPI by eliminating the volatile food and energy prices from the CPI. For the month of January the core CPI increased by 1.0% during the last 12 months which is considered to be a small increase.  Aslo read about PPI below.


What is Producer Price Index?

The Producer Price Index (PPI) is a family of indexes developed and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their goods and services. This contrasts with other measures, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Index (CPI), that measure price change from the purchaser's perspective. Sellers' and purchasers' prices may differ due to government subsidies, sales and excise taxes, and distribution costs.


The PPI is valuable as an early indicator of inflation.  Inflation reflects a decline in the purchasing power of the Dollar, where each dollar buys fewer goods and services. The report also gives insight into how higher proces from raw materials flow toward the final product.


There are three broad subcategories within PPI: crude, intermediate, and finished. The market tracks the finished goods index most closely, as it represents prices for goods that are ready for sale to the consumer.


Please keep your feedback and comments coming.  THANKS!  



Learn more about...



Does it pay to study hard? Volume 17.    

What is Currency and Foreign Currency Exchange rate? Volume 14What is stronger or weaker currency? Volume 20. What does the dollar slide mean? Volume 32.

How does money grow in a bank? Volume 21. 

What is Fed Funds rate and Discount rate? Volume 22


How to read stock information? Volume 25. 

What is "Black Monday"...Crash of 87"? Volume 31.


What does "$4.95 + Tax" means?  Volume 47.



What is ADR?  Volume 62.

What does buying back of shares means?  Volume 63.

Why is consumer confidence so important?  Volume 64.


What is Supply and Demand? Volume 177.









Feb 14-18, 2011

Weekly Stock Market

Markets Up!





Up 124



Up 14



Up 24



Foreign Exchange Rate

$1 is equal to




Euro (€)



Yen (¥)



Pound (£)



Yuan ()