1. Refer to "The Wall Street Journal " and find the entry "Commodities" located in the table of contents on the bottom of the first page. If you are using the electronic edition of the WSJ, you will see a link that says Commodities. The table of contents will direct you to the Money and Investing section of the paper, also known as Section C.

Search for a commodities market article on crude oil and then sketch a supply and demand graph which illustrates the change presented in the article. To set up such a graph, just label the horizontal axis Q (for quantity) and the vertical axis P (for price). It is not necessary to put scales on each axis. Now sketch a normal downward-sloping demand curve and a typical upward-sloping supply curve. Label the intersection of the two with an E (for equilibrium). Find the associated price on the vertical axis and label it as P1. Now find the associated quantity on the horizontal axis and label it as Q1. You now have a standard supply and demand graph in a sketch format.

Based on the crude oil article that you located, make one shift on your graph to illustrate the change discussed in the article. This shift could be on the demand side or on the supply side, depending on what the article says. If it is on the demand side, then you need to determine whether the change is an increase or a decrease. If it is on the supply side, then you need to decide whether it is an increase or decrease. When you make the shift on your graph, restrict yourself to only one shift. Some articles have a tendency to mix supply and demand together, but you should try to keep them separate. Decide what the essential change is as described in the article and graph that one primary change. In addition to your graph, include a brief summary of fifty to one- hundred words which describes why you made the change shown on your graph. Note: Please print out and turn in all of your extra credit answers at then end of the course. One point will be added to eiher your final exam score or WSJ project for each valid answer you submit.

2. Follow the same procedure indicated above, but this time find an agricultural commodities market article on either wheat, corn, or soybeans.

More about "The Wall Street Journal":

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