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We are approximately a decade since the United States last recession and the U.S. Federal Reserve is coming close to finalizing a plan on how to reduce its balance sheet. At its peak, the portfolio was valued at over $4.25 trillion. The Federal Reserve purchased these securities, of which are mostly mortgage-backed securities in three rounds of stimulus that began in 2008 and finished in October 2016. The selloff of securities began in 2017 and plans to sell the majority of their holdings before the conclusion of 2019.

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In the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of international tourists everywhere, both inbound and outbound. As connections increase due to globalization and advanced technology, more people are traveling for leisure than ever. This increase has shaped a new industry with high growth potential. In recent years, tourists' spending is increasing at a surprising speed, contributing to countries GDP and shaping many travel policies.

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In the mid-2000’s, smartphones took the world by storm.  Offering a plethora of abilities and functions to users, these intricate devices were obsessed over by people around the world, connecting users to anything they desired with the click of a button or a tap of a screen.  Recently, however, the smartphone market has experienced several missteps and subsequent difficulties selling their products to consumers.

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There are five countries that the United States imports more than half of their goods from. These imports are from China, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Germany. It imported 22% of its goods from China in 2017 which were worth $526B. It also imported 13% from both Canada and Mexico. Japan and Germany contribute a percentage of around 5%. Every single one of these countries has a comparative advantage that makes them successful exporters to the United States.

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1. Blockchain Technology will gain traction

Blockchain, the driver behind bitcoin, is a technology that uses a common ledger of information that updates simultaneously with every transaction on a public network of thousands of computers. Benefits of blockchain are that there is no singular controlling entity that can manipulate data and that there is no single point of failure except that of human error. In 2019, it is expected that we see blockchain technology used in areas outside of digital currency. Walmart has adopted blockchain to keep track of its produce supply chain, executives believe that it will help find where food-borne illnesses originated. JP Morgan has also found a practical use for blockchain technology. It has begun a trial project that uses blockchain technology to expedite overseas payment transfers. Blockchain has the potential to make business easier and more credible in many areas.

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Jamaica is a small island country in the Caribbean Sea, about half the size of the American state, New Jersey.  Since its origin, the country has functioned through an agricultural emphasis.  Settled by the Spanish and English in its early discovery, Jamaica was used as a slave island that farmed staple crops to accommodate world trade.  Even after gaining independence in 1962, the country’s economy remained agricultural as a consequence of the past slavery.

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The London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) is an interest rate benchmark that is used to set the interest rate on hundreds of trillions of dollars in debt around the world. The LIBOR rates are set via a consensus mechanism whereby the world’s leading banks submit the interest rate at which they believe they could borrow funds from another bank. The LIBOR rate is set for seven different maturities, ranging from one week to one year, with the most commonly quoted rate being the three-month U.S. dollar rate, which is known as the “current LIBOR rate”.

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The beauty industry is constantly changing, adapting to new consumer wants and developing innovative products. Demands in the industry are very volatile, affected by many factors on a daily basis. Below are some current trends:

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As climate change increasingly becomes a bigger issue, investors and companies are looking for ways to minimize their environmental impact with regards to greenhouse-gas emissions. Investors such as Aviva Investors and Aegon Asset Management are encouraging restaurants and food companies to reduce their carbon footprint and redefine their supply chain to be more environmentally friendly. Especially in the United States, this is a controversial period for this issue. Analysts are expecting climate change to be a key issue in the United States 2020 presidential election. It will be a tough negotiating point between all parties involved.

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Did you know that Venezuela’s inflation rate has reached a peak of 254%? Or that Andorra’s literacy rate for ages 15 and above is 100%? The Interactive Rankings page on globalEDGE is a tool that ranks countries or states according to the economy, trade and investment, energy, health, and government sectors. It has countless data on useful information that can be beneficial for students, professors, and professionals. Check out the links below to find out which country has the highest unemployment rate and which states have the highest high school graduation rates in the United States.

Unemployment Rate Rankings

High School Graduation Rankings

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Transportation has long been one of the most essential and transformative processes in society.  Today, e-commerce, fast-paced business environments, and a focus on improving logistics thrust transportation into the spotlight as a necessary day-to-day operation and the main form in which these actions are carried out is automation.  Cars have a wide variety of human uses, from picking up children from school, to moving perishable goods across land, to clearing snowy roads efficiently.  Because of this, the automotive industry continues to be one of the largest and most talked about markets on Earth.

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This past week, the Midwest United States was swept by a deadly winter storm. With wind chills, some areas' temperature reached a staggering negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme weather, like this storm, impedes many industries and processes, creating inconveniences and delays. In response to weather, many factors change including demand, production, and delivery. As a result, the supply chains of numerous companies have been impacted in a negative way.