volume17.html

This time of the year close to 80 million students from nursery to college head back to school. Did you know that these millions of students and their parents will spend close to $7 billion on clothes and $2 billion on books for getting ready for school?

Does it pay to get a college degree? The answer is most definitely, yes. According to the US Census Bureau, people with advanced degrees earned an average of $80,000 in 2005 compared to $55,000 with a Bachelor’s degree. People with a high school diploma earned $30,000 on average and people without a high-school diploma earned. $20,000. In other words, people with advanced degrees earned four times as much as those with no education.

Markets are calm for now 

After a few rough weeks on Wall Street, the stocks did not change much for the week.  Investors are waiting to see the August economic data, such as, economic growth, employment conditions, inflation, and manufacturing growth. For example, strong August data may show that the credit crisis is having little effect on economic growth. the S&P500 dropped 5 points, the Dow dropped 19 points and the NASDAQ was up by 26 points for the week ending August 31st, 2007. 

This week, the Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated that the Federal Reserve Bank will “act as needed” to help the economy and the credit crisis concern. Most of the investors are expecting that if economic data shows a sign of weakness in the economy, then Mr. Bernanke will cut the interest rates in September to help the economy and credit crisis. Let us wait for the August economic data and see if the Federal Bank changes the interest rate in September.

Toyota racing to be the #1 car maker in the world! 

Toyota plans to sell over 10 million light vehicles (Cars, SUVs, and light trucks) worldwide by 2009. If Toyota succeeds in selling over 10 million light vehicles by 2009 then it would break the record of selling these many light vehicles set by General Motors in 1978. 

Toyota plans to increase its sales in the US, Europe and fast growing markets like China, India, Brazil, and Russia. Toyota plans to sell over 9 million light vehicles in 2007 and close to 10 million vehicles in 2008. 

It is estimated that over 60 million light vehicles were sold worldwide in 2006. By 2009, it is estimated that there will be over 70 million light vehicles sold around the world. By 2009, Toyota plans to be the largest light vehicle company in the world.

Toyota was founded in 1937 by the Toyoda family. Today,
Toyota has sales of $21 billion and employs 300,000 people.  Toyota’s popular models include Corolla, Camry, Matrix, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, 4-Runner, Rav-4, Land Cruiser, and others.

Learn more about what is Credit History.  Why is it important to have a good credit history? Volume 12.

Learn more about what is Currency.  What is the Foreign Currency Exchange rate? Volume 14.

Learn more about Economy, Business, Workers, Goods,  Services,  Stocks, the DOW, the S&P500, the NASDAQ in Volume 16.