The following market data show the global demand, global supply, and price on an annual basis for gold over the period 2006–2008. Based on the data, what observation can be made about market demand, supply, and economic rent?
Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Percent Change 2006–2008 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Supply (in metric tons) | 3,569 | 3,475 | 3,508 | –1.7 |
Demand (in metric tons) | 3,423 | 3,552 | 3,805 | +11.2 |
Average spot price (in US$) | 603.92 | 695.39 | 871.65 | +44.3 |
Source: GFMS and World Gold Council. |
The amount of total gold supplied to the world market over this period has actually declined slightly by 1.7 percent during a period when there was a double-digit increase of 11.2 percent in demand. As a consequence, the spot price has dramatically increased by 44.3 percent. Economic rent has resulted from this market relationship of a relatively fixed supply of gold and a rising demand for it.
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