An economics question
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:53 pm
I don't really understand too much about how the economy works but I've been mulling this over and I'd like to hear some more views.
The price of essentials such as gas, electricity and petrol are constantly rising. We are told to use our vehicles less for the sake of the environment and I guess many of us try to keep the amount of gas and electricity we use to a minimum.
Now, the power and fuel companies have to make profits to pay dividends to their shareholders so if we use less of their products then surely their profits will reduce. As there seems to be panic on the stock exchange if a company posts poor profits then surely they will put their prices up to sustain their profits. This means that even if we do cut back we will still end up paying more for the essentials.
I work for a food company and if our products aren't making enough profit we either have to sell more and do promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free or put the price up which results in a reduction in sales. As most food items are non-essentials the consumer has the option of not buying.
It seems to me we are stuck in an economy where you are damned if you do and damned if you don't
The price of essentials such as gas, electricity and petrol are constantly rising. We are told to use our vehicles less for the sake of the environment and I guess many of us try to keep the amount of gas and electricity we use to a minimum.
Now, the power and fuel companies have to make profits to pay dividends to their shareholders so if we use less of their products then surely their profits will reduce. As there seems to be panic on the stock exchange if a company posts poor profits then surely they will put their prices up to sustain their profits. This means that even if we do cut back we will still end up paying more for the essentials.
I work for a food company and if our products aren't making enough profit we either have to sell more and do promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free or put the price up which results in a reduction in sales. As most food items are non-essentials the consumer has the option of not buying.
It seems to me we are stuck in an economy where you are damned if you do and damned if you don't