Business

Coronavirus Closures Lead to Layoffs

NickelsMcHughMcHugh
17 March 2020

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization officially classified coronavirus as a pandemic, causing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to plummet by nearly 1,500 points. This rapid decline in the market has reversed more than a decade of expansion…

BBC News: “Coronavirus: South Africa’s economic victims”

Veronica Horton
11 March 2020

This video explores the impact of the novel coronavirus on South Africa’s lobster industry. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, South Africa exported 80 to 90 percent of its lobster to China. Following the health crisis and the mandatory quarantine of so many people in China, demand for lobster has all but stopped, putting extreme pressure on South Africa’s fishing industry.

Coronavirus Outbreak Could Have Major Economic Impact

David Switzer
6 February 2020

Last week, the world learned that a deadly, fast-moving disease called the coronavirus had appeared in several Chinese cities. The mysterious illness has already killed more than a hundred people and infected thousands more, leading the World Health Organization to declare the coronavirus a global health emergency. Despite its potentially worldwide implications, though, right now the disease is primarily localized in China. Along with placing entire cities on quarantine, Chinese authorities have also extended the annual Lunar New Year holiday so that businesses will remain closed until at least next week.

LAist: “Kobe Bryant Sneakers Are Worth Big Bucks: But Not Everybody’s Cashing In”

David Switzer
5 February 2020

The tragic and unexpected death of Kobe Bryant has caused a large spike in demand for his autographed and game-worn memorabilia. Some collectors are choosing to hold on to their merchandise, while others are cashing out now and even trying to buy more so they can sell it at a higher price in the near future. This article explores the personal and economic incentives for holding on to rare memorabilia in a case like this.

Small Potatoes

Michael Coon
17 January 2020

In early December 2019, media outlets across the US warned of a potential French fry shortage in 2020. These warnings came after the US Department of Agriculture estimated that the total US potato output in 2019 would be 6.1 percent…

Immigration or Innovation in Agriculture?

Michael Coon
16 January 2020

American agriculture has long depended on immigrant labor. Many of these workers are undocumented. In recent years, the US government has increased its immigration enforcement activity, identifying, arresting, and deporting large numbers of immigrant workers. As a result, many farmers…

Fishy Pricing

Michael Coon
12 January 2020

In December 2019 the CEO of Bumblebee Tuna was convicted of price-fixing in the packaged seafood market. With this conviction the CEO faces up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The conviction was the culmination of…

A Spirited Trade War

Michael Coon
10 January 2020

In the 20 years between 1997 and 2017, US exports of Kentucky bourbon whiskey tripled to a value of $450 million. However, in the second half of 2018 exports of bourbon and other American whiskeys began to decline rapidly. The…

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U.K. Economy Three Years after Brexit