Prepare for the CFA Level I exam with 50 Economic Analysis calculation questions, complete answers, and detailed explanations. Practice key formulas, improve your calculation skills, and build confidence in solving CFA-style economic problems.
Answer
C. above 3.4%.
Explanation
Neutral rate = Trend growth + Inflation target
Neutral rate = 1.5% + 1.9% = 3.4%
Monetary policy is contractionary when the policy rate exceeds 3.4%.
Answer
B. $90.85.
Explanation
MR = ΔTR/ΔQ
MR = ($650,000 – $500,000)/(41,700 – 40,000) = $88.24
| Company | Sales ($ millions) |
| — | — |
| Alpha | 90 |
| Beta | 88 |
| Gamma | 85 |
| Delta | 83 |
| Zeta | 79 |
| Kappa | 65 |
A research analyst provides the following market share data for an emerging industry:
The industry’s four-firm concentration ratio is:
Answer
C. 70.6%.
Explanation
Concentration ratio = (90 + 88 + 85 + 83)/(90 + 88 + 85 + 83 + 79 + 65)
Concentration ratio = 346/490 = 0.706 = 70.6%
Answer
B. 86.7%.
Explanation
Concentration ratio = (178 + 85 + 83 + 79)/(90 + 88 + 85 + 83 + 79 + 65)
Concentration ratio = 425/490 = 0.867 = 86.7%
Answer
B. $900.00.
Explanation
MC = MR = P[1 – (1/E_p)]
$225 = P[1 – (1/1.8)]
$225 = P(0.444)
P = $506.25
A research analyst provides the following information about Gamma Corporation’s cost structure at various levels of output:
| Quantity (Q) | Total Fixed Cost (TFC) | Total Variable Cost (TVC) |
| — | — | — |
| 0 | 150 | 0 |
| 1 | 150 | 90 |
| 2 | 150 | 130 |
| 3 | 150 | 150 |
| 4 | 150 | 170 |
| 5 | 150 | 220 |
| 6 | 150 | 270 |
When 5 units of quantity are produced, the average fixed cost is:
Answer
A. 30.
Explanation
AFC = TFC/Q
AFC = 150/5 = 30
Answer
B. 50.
Explanation
MC = ΔTC/ΔQ
MC = (420 – 370)/(6 – 5) = 50
Answer
C. 6.
Explanation
ATC = TC/Q
ATC = 240/1 = 240
ATC = 280/2 = 140
ATC = 300/3 = 100
ATC = 320/4 = 80
ATC = 370/5 = 74
ATC = 420/6 = 70
Answer
B. 0.9365 GBP per USD.
Explanation
Indirect exchange rate = 1/1.0678 = 0.9365
Answer
A. 33%.
Explanation
Real GDP = [Nominal GDP/(GDP deflator/100)]
Real GDPyear1 = $125 billion/[(108/100)] = $115.74 billion
Real GDPyear3 = $290 billion/[(188/100)] = $154.26 billion
($154.26 billion – $115.74 billion) /$115.74 billion = 0.33 = 33%
An analyst provides the following information about Delta Corporation’s labor utiliza- tion and production:
| Quantity (Q) | Total Fixed Cost (TFC) | Total Variable Cost (TVC) |
| — | — | — |
| 0 | 150 | 0 |
| 1 | 150 | 90 |
| 2 | 150 | 130 |
| 3 | 150 | 150 |
| 4 | 150 | 170 |
| 5 | 150 | 220 |
| 6 | 150 | 270 |
The number of workers resulting in the highest level of average product of labor is:
Answer
A. 5.
Explanation
AP = TP/L
AP = 90/1 = 90.00
AP = 160/2 = 80.00
AP = 280/3 = 93.33
AP = 410/4 = 102.50
AP = 530/5 = 106.00
AP = 610/6 =101.67
AP = 690/7 = 98.57
Answer
A. 2.
Explanation
MP = ΔTP/ΔL
MP from 0 to 1 laborers: (90 – 0)/(1 – 0) = 90
MP from 1 to 2 laborers: (160 – 90)/(2 – 1) = 70
MP from 2 to 3 laborers: (280 – 160)/(3 – 2) = 120
MP from 3 to 4 laborers: (410 – 280)/(4 – 3) = 130
MP from 4 to 5 laborers: (530 – 410)/(5 – 4) = 120
MP from 5 to 6 laborers: (610 – 530)/(6 – 5) = 80
MP from 6 to 7 laborers: (690 – 610)/(7 – 6) = 80
Answer
B. 1.3095.
Explanation
(1 + g) = New exchange rate/Initial exchange rate
.05 = 1.3750/Initial exchange rate
Initial exchange rate = 1.3095
Answer
B. 110.14.
Explanation
GDP deflator = (Nominal GDP/Real GDP)(100)
GDP deflator = ($80,000,000/$76,000,000)(100) = 105.26
Answer
B. 1.1616.
Explanation
Spot rate = Forward rate/(1 + Forward points as a percentage)
Spot rate = 1.2127/1.044 = 1.1616
A research analyst provides the following economic information for Country X.
| Category | Amount ($ billions) |
| — | — |
| Consumption | 11.4 |
| Government spending | 3.3 |
| Capital consumption allowance | 5.0 |
| Gross private domestic investment | 6.2 |
| Imports | 2.9 |
| Exports | 1.8 |
Based on the information provided, the gross domestic product of Country X is:
Answer
C. $19.8 billion.
Explanation
GDP=C+1+G+(X-M)
GDP = 1144 6.24+3.3+(18-2.9)=19.8
Answer
A. $14.8 billion.
Explanation
GDP = National income + Capital consumption allowance + Statistical discrepancy
19.8 = National income + 5.0
National income = 14.8
Answer
C. 0.7669 – 0.7680.
Explanation
1/1.3020 = 0.7680
1/1.3040 = 0.7669
Therefore, the bid/offer quote in USD/AUD terms is 0.7669 — 0.7680.
A market study provides the following information regarding consumption baskets and prices over a period of two months:
### January 2017
| Item | Quantity | Price |
| —— | ——-: | ——-: |
| Cocoa | 55 kg | $0.85/kg |
| Timber | 70 kg | $0.50/kg |
### February 2017
| Item | Quantity | Price |
| —— | ——-: | ——-: |
| Cocoa | 105 kg | $0.70/kg |
| Timber | 65 kg | $0.90/kg |
Assuming the base period for 2017 consumption is January and the initial price index is 100, the inflation rate after calculating the February price index as a Laspeyres index is:
Answer
C. 24.16%.
Explanation
January consumption bundle: (55)(0.85) + (70)(0.5) = 81.75
February consumption bundle: (55)(0.7) + (70)(0.9) = 101.5 February price index: (101.5/81.75)(100) = 124.16
Inflation rate: (124.16/100) – 1 = 0.2416 = 24.16%
Answer
A. 108.42.
Explanation
CPlp = [(105)(0.7) + (65)(0.9)]/[(105)(0.85) + (65)(0.5)] = (132/121.75)(100) = 108.42
Answer
B. 13.4%.
Explanation
Annual growth = (GDP deflator2/GDP deflator1)1/2 – 1
Annual growth = (144/112)1/2 – 1 = 0.1339 = 13.4%
| Ratio | Spot Rate |
| ——- | ——–: |
| CAD/GBP | 0.5921 |
| CAD/EUR | 0.7732 |
The spot EUR/GBP cross-rate is:
Answer
A. 0.7658.
Explanation
EUR/GBP = [(CAD/EUR)-1][(CAD/GBP)]
EUR/GBP = (1.2933) (0.5921) = 0.7658
| Transaction | Amount ($ millions) |
| — | — |
| Purchased raw materials from France | 33.5 |
| Paid legal fees | 2.3 |
| Donated to a charity in Asia | 0.5 |
| Sold goods in Mexico | 42.1 |
| Received interest payment from foreign bond | 4.4 |
| Received royalties from branch in Indonesia | 1.2 |
These transactions will increase Epsilon Manufacturing Co.’s current account by:
Answer
B. $11.4 million.
Explanation
| Transaction | Amount ($ millions) |
| — | — |
| Purchased raw materials from France | −33.5 |
| Paid legal fees | −2.3 |
| Donated to a charity in Asia | −0.5 |
| Sold goods in Mexico | +42.1 |
| Received interest payment from foreign bond | +4.4 |
| Received royalties from branch in Indonesia | +1.2 |
| **Total** | **+11.4** |
Answer
A. 1.56%.
Explanation
%Δreal exchange rate = ((1 + %Δnominal spot exchange rate)(1 + %Δprice level in foreign country) / (1 + %Δprice level in domestic country)) – 1
%Δreal exchange rate = ((1.0695)(0.961) / 1.012) – 1 = 0.0156 = 1.56%
| Category | Amount ($ billions) |
| — | — |
| National income | 19.4 |
| Consumption expenditures | 3.5 |
| Indirect business taxes | 6.3 |
| Corporate income taxes | 2.1 |
| Interest paid by consumers to business | 2.3 |
| Undistributed corporate profits | 3.4 |
| Transfer payments | 2.3 |
Based on the information provided, personal income is:
Answer
A. $9.9 billion.
Explanation
Personal income = National income – Indirect business taxes – Corporate income taxes – Undistributed corporate profits + Transfer payments
Personal income = 19.4 – 6.3 – 2.1-3.4+2.3 =9.9
A currency dealer provides the following information:
| | Spot Rate | Expected Spot Rate in One Year |
| — | — | — |
| USD/CAD | 1.0425 | 1.0157 |
| AUD/GBP | 1.4890 | 1.4495 |
Based on the information provided, the Canadian dollar is expected to appreciate
against the US dollar over the next year by:
Answer
B. -2.57%.
Explanation
The CAD is the base currency in the USD/CAD quote.
Currency appreciation = (Expected spot rate/Current spot rate) – 1
Currency appreciation = (1.0157/1.0425) – 1 = -0.0257 = -2.57%
Answer
C. 2.73%.
Explanation
The GBP is the base currency in the AUD/GBP quote.
Currency appreciation = (Expected spot rate/Current spot rate)! – 1
Currency appreciation = (1.4495/1.4890)-1 – 1 = 0.0273 = 2.73%
Answer
C. 5.28 pounds.
Explanation
Income = (Pfish) (Qfish) + (Pbeef) (Qbeef)
$85 = (5.25) (0.9Qbeef) + (9-75) (Qbeef)
$85 = (14.475) (Qbeef)
Qbeef = 5.87
Qfish = (5.87)(0.9) = 5.28
Answer
C. 244.
Explanation
Forward points = (Forward rate – Spot rate)(10,000)
Forward points = (0.3191 – 0.2947)(10,000) = 244
Answer
B. 2.47.
Explanation
Fiscal multiplier = 1/[1 – c(1 – t)]
Fiscal multiplier = 1/[1 – 0.85(1 – 0.3)]
Fiscal multiplier = 1/0.405 = 2.47
Answer
A. 5%.
Explanation
E = %ΔQ / %ΔP
0.5 = %ΔQ / ((55 – 50) / 50)
%ΔQ = (0.5)(0.1) = 0.05 = 5%
Answer
B. 0.65%.
Explanation
E = %ΔQ / %ΔI
0.65 = %ΔQ / 0.01
%ΔQ = (0.65)(0.01) = 0.0065 = 0.65%
A research analyst provides the following economic information for Country Z:
| Category | Amount ($ millions) |
| — | — |
| Personal disposable income | 15.4 |
| Consumption expenditures | 3.5 |
| Indirect business taxes | 6.3 |
| Interest paid by consumers to business | 2.3 |
| Undistributed corporate profits | 3.4 |
| Personal transfer payments to foreigners | 5.8 |
Based on the information provided, household saving is:
Answer
A. $3.8 million.
Explanation
Household saving = Personal disposable income – Consumption expenditures – Interest paid by consumers to business – Personal transfer payments to foreigners
Household saving = 15.4 – 3.5-2.3-5.8=3.8
Answer
C. 24.68%.
Explanation
Saving rate = Household saving/Personal disposable income
Saving rate = 3.8/15.4 = 0.2468 = 24.68%
Answer
C. 2.33.
Explanation
E = %ΔQ / %ΔP
E = 35% / 15% = 2.33
Answer
A. 5%.
Explanation
%Δunit labor cost = %Δnominal wages – %Δproductivity
%Δunit labor cost = 7% – 2% = 5%
disposable income will:
Answer
C. increase by $0.70.
Explanation
YD =(1-t)Y
YD = (1-0.3)($1)
YD = (0.7)($1) = $0.70
from 50,000 gallons to 48,000 gallons. The price elasticity of demand is:
Answer
C. -0.84.
Explanation
E = %ΔQ / %ΔP
E = ((48,000 – 50,000) / 50,000) / (($2.20 – $2.10) / $2.10) = -0.84
| Category | Amount |
| — | — |
| Nominal GDP | $11.2 trillion |
| Real GDP | $8.8 trillion |
| Aggregate hours of labor | 200 billion |
Based on the information provided, labor productivity is:
Answer
B. $44 per hour labor.
Explanation
Labor productivity = Real GDP/Aggregate hours
Labor productivity = $8.8 trillion/200 billion hours = $44 per hour labor
of 2.4%, the neutral rate is:
Answer
C. 4.2%.
Explanation
Neutral rate = Trend growth + Inflation target
Neutral rate = 2.4% + 1.8% = 4.2%
A market study provides the following market share data for a five-company industry:
| Company | Market Share (%) |
| — | — |
| Alpha | 40 |
| Beta | 25 |
| Gamma | 20 |
| Delta | 10 |
| Epsilon | 5 |
The industry’s three-firm Herfindahl-Hirschmann Index is:
Answer
A. 0.2625.
Explanation
HHI = Market share₁² + Market share₂² + Market share₃²
HHI = 0.40² + 0.25² + 0.20² = 0.2625
Answer
C. 0.4725.
Explanation
HHI = Market share₁² + Market share₂² + Market share₃²
HHI = 0.65² + 0.20² + 0.10² = 0.4725
revenue will:
Answer
B. increase by $0.25.
Explanation
Y-NT=(1-t)Y
$1 —- NT = (1 – 0.25) ($1)
$1 – NT = $0.75
NT = $0.25
today’s deposits, then the deposits must be equal to:
Answer
A. $2,000.
Explanation
Increase in money = New deposit/Reserve requirement
$40,000 = New deposit/0.05
New deposit = ($40,000) (0.05) = $2,000
cost of producing a textbook:
| Stage of Production | Sales Value ($) |
| — | — |
| **1. Production materials** | |
| Paper | $1.50 |
| Ink | $0.25 |
| Binding supplies | $1.10 |
| **2. Assembling each book** | $2.00 |
| **3. Wholesale price for booksellers** | $6.00 |
| **4. Retail price** | $12.00 |
According to the value-added method, the contribution of textbook production to
GDP is:
Answer
B. $12.00.
Explanation
GDP includes the value of final goods only. In this example, the value of the final goods is
the retail price of $12.00.
an hour. However, if the company utilizes emerging technologies, workers will be able
to produce 130 units per hour. At the increased level of production, the new labor cost
per unit will:
Answer
A. decrease to $0.09.
Explanation
Labor cost per unit = Hourly rate/Units per hour
Labor cost per unit = $12/130 units = $0.09
Answer
B. increasing 1.3% per year.
Explanation
Potential growth rate = Long-term growth rate of labor force + Long-term labor productivity growth rate
Potential growth rate = 3.4% + (-2.1%) = 1.3%
Assume that income is $100, income tax is $25, disposable income is $75, consumption is $65, and saving is $10.
Based on the information provided, the mar able income is:
Answer
C. 86.67%.
Explanation
MPC = ΔC / ΔY
MPC = $65 / $75 = 0.8667 = 86.67%
Answer
A. 13.33%.
Explanation
MPS = 1- MPC
MPS = 1 – ($65/$75)
MPS = 1 – 86.67% = 13.33%
Answer
B. 2.40%.
Explanation
Average annual inflation is the difference between the yield on a nominal bond and the
yield on an inflation-protected bond of similar maturity and credit quality.
Average annual inflation = 4.75% – 2.35% = 2.40%
