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Move cursor over window to pause.	Commentary from Jun '08 Indicators For the last several years, the U.S. dollar has been steadily depreciating against other major currencies. A trade-weighted exchange index against a basket of the United States’ trading partners’ currencies shows that, since 2002, the dollar has lost more than 30 percent of its value. The largest decline occurred against the euro. In November 2002, a dollar exchanged at parity with the euro, but in April 2008, the exchange rate was 1.58 dollars per euro. The dollar’s steep fall in recent years has been linked to increases in the price of energy and commodities in the international markets and increased prices of imported goods in general. However, the lower dollar also had the effect of boosting U.S. exports, an important shock absorber during the economy’s troubles. During the last four years, U.S. exports of goods and services have increased around 8 percent a year in real terms and are assuming increasing importance in the GDP. In 2006, exports comprised 11.1 percent of U.S. GDP, the highest ever in dollar terms. Because of its strong manufacturing base and export-oriented industry, South Carolina is one of the state economies that most depends on world markets. The state has the highest overall share of export-supported jobs (9 percent) among the 50 states, and more than one-fourth of all manufacturing workers in South Carolina depend on exports for their jobs. More than that, the export sector in South Carolina seems to be taking advantage of this opportunity. The cumulative data up to April 2008 shows that this year, the U.S. exports of manufactured goods increased by 14.8 percent compared to the same period last year. However, comparable figures for South Carolina show an increase of 47.1 percent, one of the highest growth rates in the nation. o Paulo Guimarães, 6/26/08
Given the more difficult American economy today, many people are increasingly anxious about protecting their next egg. What should they do? H.W. "Skip" Weldon offer just such advice in the latest B&E Review issue. Then Matthew Costello draws a step-by-step blueprint for the best way for businesses and institutions to become more environmentally sustainable. His article shows that getting green isn't so difficult. Other stories this issue are (i) Harrington's suggestions for drawing on the intellectual property of retiring baby boomers as a way to boost South Carolina's knowledge economy; and (ii) a profile of EasyHRweb, LLC, a company that deals in "total technology solutions" to human resources management. Regularly featured columns for this month are Your Finances on aid (both financial and in other ways) for one's ailing parents, Business Forum on helping business clients find new markets, Health Care Corner looking at the disturbing link between income and health in this country, Quarterly Outlook, and Trends. Our "Environmental Update" column has had a face lift, becoming "Sustainability Watch" and more in tune with the Moore School's new initiative.
Columbia, S.C., Second Quarter 2008. The Palmetto State economy may be better prepared than most states to weather the current economic storm. The record-low dollar is helping exports, and South Carolina is one of the state economies that most depends on world markets. Nevertheless, South Carolina will be faced with the challenge of finding other sources of growth to compensate for the loss of activity and jobs in construction.
The Division of Research coordinates the research programs and facilitates the research efforts of the faculty of the Moore School of Business. The Division also reaches beyond the academic environment into the public and private sectors of the state of South Carolina. By conducting applied practical research on timely business and economic topics, the Division has become a recognized center of expertise on issues associated with the economy.	Current Division Studies Film Industry Economic Impact Latino Migrant Study—2007; 2006 Spoleto Festival USA— Economic Impact ; Audience Surveys Economic Impact of Hurricanes The Status of South Carolina's Women (June 2005) Economic Impact of the Coca-Cola System on South Africa SC Dept of Transportation Medicaid 2003 Cultural Industry Results of the Highway Maintenance Survey Coca-Cola in China BMW Economic Impact Other online studies

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Division of Research, Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
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last update July 8, 2008

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