The Pope and the Price of Fish

It is interesting for a student of economics to learn how demand and sup­ply analysis works in practice.

Until 1966 Roman Catholics were not allowed to eat meat on Fridays and ate fish instead. In 1966 the Pope (Папа Римский) said that Catholics could eat meat on Friday. What do you think happened to the average weekly price and average weekly quantity of consumed fish?

The demand for fish fell as some Catholics who had to eat fish before started eating meat on Friday when they were allowed to do so.

This is a simple example of the effect of a change in tastes (вкусы) on the demand. Economists said that lower demand would lead to lower equilibrium price and the quantity of demanded fish.

Studying reports on fish prices and quantities of sold fish in the United States before and after 1966 we can see that this is what happened.

Unit 9: investment: bonds and shares

Text 1: Read the dialogue; translate it into Russian using Vocabulary

Peter Finch, a bank consultant, speaks to Bob Parkins. Mr Parkins has 40,000 pounds sterling that he's been advised to invest, and he'd like some information.

Mr Finch explains what bonds and shares are, and what security and profit they give.

He also mentions investment funds.

Mr Parkins says he will think things over.

Finch. Good morning.

Parkins. I'd like some advice, please. I've got a certain amount of money that I've been advised to invest. I've been told about bonds and shares ... um... but I really don't know anything about banking and I'd like to ask ... um ... you all about it.

Finch. First, I'd like to ask you how much capital you have at your disposal and what your plans are. Do you want to put something aside for your retirement, or do you think you'll need funds at short notice...?

Parkins. Well, part is savings and part is an inheritance that I've just received. In all, about 40,000 pounds sterling. At the moment, most is in deposit accounts spread around various banks.

Finch. Well. I think it's certainly in your interest to consolidate your capital in one bank. We can, if you wish, replace part of it by bonds. In other words, you lend your money to an organization for a fixed period at a fixed interest rate. The organization promises to repay you in the agreed term, and meanwhile pays you a yearly interest.

Parkins. Is the interest higher than on a deposit account?

Finch. Yes, certainly. Bonds are issued for periods from 15 years upwards, and a long-term investment generally pays more.

Parkins. Can I withdraw my money whenever I want?

Finch. You can ask us to sell your bonds for you. Their value will depend on the market at the time. It might be higher than you bought at, or it might be lower. That depends on the market — if it's on the rise or not. In fact, fluctuation of the value of bonds is never very great — not as great as in the case of shares, for example.

Parkins. Yes, ... um, there's something I don't quite understand. You say the interest rate is higher than on my savings accounts, but if I want to use my money, I must sell my bonds.

Finch. Yes, if you want to use your money before the bonds come to maturity. Alternatively, the bank can give you a loan with the bonds as collateral. For example, the bank might lend you 80% of the value of the bonds on the stock exchange at the moment you ask for the loan.

Parkins. If I've understood correctly, I can't use my money — your loan is limited — and I run a risk of loss if I want to sell before maturity.

Finch. Certainly, you run a certain risk.

Parkins. In other words, if I want to be sure of seeing my capital again, I must wait for maturity.

Finch. Exactly.

Parkins. And what about shares ... are the risks the same?

Finch. If you buy shares in a company, you become in a man­ner of speaking, the owner of the company, together with a lot of other people. Bonds give you a fixed interest, while a share gives you an interest depending on the success of the company. Shares, however, ensure you against devaluation.

Parkins. That's a bit complicated. Can you advise me regularly ... tell me when I should buy and sell?

Finch. We've got specialists who deal with all that. However, you certainly run a greater risk with shares than with bonds. If you have 40,000 pounds sterling to invest, we'd probably advise you to invest a maximum of a third of that in shares. The rest should be invested in bonds or in certificates of deposit, for example. In this way, you can limit your risks.

Parkins. Yes. Of course, you understand, when you've worked hard all your life to save a small sum, you don't want to invest it in just anything.

Finch. I presume, then, you would like to have security more than a profit.

Parkins. Well, one needn't necessarily rule out the other (laughs). It's up to you to advise me.

Finch. We also have investment funds, which banks administer. We administer several, and we can make you up a portfolio. Strictly speaking, a share does not give interest, but pays a dividend in shares and bonds in carefully calculated proportions. Becoming the owner of a unit, you limit your risk. You have a share in the repayment of the bonds in the fund that also holds shares, so that, in addition, you benefit from the profit that the shares produce. I think you could invest 40% of your assets in a fund.

Parkins. How can I control my investment in such a case? Have I got the same freedom of movement as with shares?

Finch. Certainly. They are negotiable whenever you like. The rates are fixed daily, so that you can sell whenever you wish. Of course, you won't be able to avoid the ups and downs of the market.

Parkins. Yes, I see.

Finch. In this way, you can benefit from a larger range of both bonds and shares.

Parkins. In other words, I diversify my risk.

Finch. Exactly.

Parkins. One thing interests me. In speaking of bonds just now, you said that your bank could give me a loan against bonds. In such a case, what are the conditions? Is the interest rate on a loan higher than on the bonds?

Finch. Yes. There's between 0.5 and 1% difference in the rates. After all, the bank has to live.

Parkins. Of course. Well, thank you. I wanted above all to know about the difference between bonds and shares. I think I've understood now. I'd like to talk everything over with my wife, and I'll come back to see you again.

Finch. Why not come with your wife? I'd be happy to meet her and to explain everything as I have just done with you.

Parkins. That's very kind. Could I have your name and telephone number, then?

Finch. My name is Peter Finch, and my number is 224644.

Parkins. Goodbye, then.

Finch. I'll just show you the way.