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Free Questions › CFA › Economics
Free CFA Economics Practice Questions & Answers
2,050 exam-style Economics questions. Pick your answer, hit Check answer, and see the worked solution — free to start, no signup.
100% free · No login to startQuestion 1501
A classic example of overinvestment during slowdown is:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Late-1990s fiber-optic overinvestment
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: The text cites fiber-optic overinvestment as a slowdown example. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not the example referenced.
Question 1502
In contraction, new capital orders are typically:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Halted
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms stop new orders as demand collapses. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Opposite of contraction behavior.
Question 1503
In contraction, existing capital orders may be:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Canceled
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms cancel orders to conserve cash. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not typical.
Question 1504
Initial cutbacks in capital spending during contraction:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Can be sharp and deepen the downturn
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Sharp cuts amplify the recession. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Not mild. C & D: Incorrect.
Question 1505
In contraction, maintenance spending is usually:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Scaled back
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms reduce maintenance to save cash. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Opposite.
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Question 1506
In contraction, the first equipment category cut is usually:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Technology and light equipment
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Short-lead-time tech equipment is cut first. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Cut later.
Question 1507
In recovery, capital spending focuses on:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: A — Efficiency improvements
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Early recovery emphasizes efficiency, not expansion. ✘ Why others wrong: B, C, D: Too large for early recovery.
Question 1508
In expansion, orders for heavy equipment:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Increase
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms expand capacity as demand rises. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Opposite.
Question 1509
In slowdown, companies may still place new orders because:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — They operate near full capacity
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms still run near capacity at the peak. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not accurate.
Question 1510
In contraction, cuts in heavy equipment spending:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Occur later as the downturn matures
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Heavy equipment cuts intensify later in contraction. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Too early. C & D: Incorrect.
Question 1511
Inventory fluctuations occur because:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Sales and production grow or decline at different speeds
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Inventories rise or fall depending on mismatches between sales growth and production growth. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Only sometimes true. D: Inventories change frequently.
Question 1512
The inventory–sales ratio measures:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Inventories relative to sales levels
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: It shows how much inventory exists relative to sales volume. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not what the ratio measures.
Question 1513
Analysts monitor inventories because they:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Indicate the economy’s position in the cycle
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Inventory trends help identify where the economy is in the business cycle. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not the primary purpose.
Question 1514
In recovery, the inventory–sales ratio typically:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Falls as sales recover faster than production
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Sales rebound first, reducing excess inventories. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Opposite. C & D: Incorrect.
Question 1515
In expansion, the inventory–sales ratio is usually:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Stable
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Production rises to match sales, keeping the ratio stable. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Falling occurs in recovery. C: Rising occurs in slowdown. D: Impossible.
Question 1516
In slowdown, the inventory–sales ratio:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Rises
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Sales slow faster than production, causing inventories to accumulate. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Opposite. B: Not stable. D: It rises predictably.
Question 1517
In contraction, the inventory–sales ratio:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Falls back toward normal
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Production is cut below sales to reduce unwanted inventories. ✘ Why others wrong: A: It eventually falls. C & D: Incorrect.
Question 1518
In expansion, production rises quickly to:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Keep up with sales and rebuild inventories
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Firms produce more to meet rising demand and restock. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not the main driver.
Question 1519
In slowdown, inventories rise because:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — Sales slow faster than production
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Sales decelerate first, causing inventory buildup. ✘ Why others wrong: A & D: Production continues. C: Opposite.
Question 1520
Leading indicators are useful because they:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Predict future economic activity
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Leading indicators turn before the economy does. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Lagging indicators confirm past. B: Lagging, not leading. D: Incorrect.
Question 1521
Coincident indicators are useful because they:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Move at the same time as the economy
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Coincident indicators reflect the current state of the economy. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Leading indicators predict. B: Lagging indicators confirm. D: Incorrect.
Question 1522
Lagging indicators are useful because they:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Confirm trends after they occur
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Lagging indicators turn after the economy, confirming established trends. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Describe leading indicators. D: Incorrect.
Question 1523
A composite indicator is:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — A combination of variables that move together
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Composite indicators combine multiple variables to track cycles. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Opposite. C & D: Too narrow.
Question 1524
Composite indicators are used because:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — They capture multiple dimensions of economic activity
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Combining variables improves reliability and reduces noise. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Single variables can still be useful. C & D: Incorrect.
Question 1525
The Conference Board LEI is:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — A composite leading indicator
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: LEI combines 10 leading components. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Not correct. D: Not its purpose.
Question 1526
The LEI uses the classical business cycle concept because:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: B — It tracks absolute levels of activity
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: LEI is based on classical cycle turning points. ✘ Why others wrong: A, C, D: Not accurate.
Question 1527
A leading indicator turns:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Before the economy
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Leading indicators anticipate economic turning points. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Describe lagging and coincident indicators. D: Not random.
Question 1528
A coincident indicator turns:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — At the same time as the economy
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Coincident indicators reflect current economic conditions. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Leading and lagging. D: Incorrect.
Question 1529
A lagging indicator turns:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — After the economy
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Lagging indicators confirm established trends. ✘ Why others wrong: A & B: Leading and coincident. D: Incorrect.
Question 1530
Inventory rebuilding typically occurs during:
Select an option first.
Correct answer: C — Expansion
Explanation: ✔ Why correct: Expansion features rising production to restock inventories. ✘ Why others wrong: A: Inventories are cut. B: Inventories rise unintentionally. D: Too extreme.
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