• Interest rates (high or low?)
• Currency exchange rates, and uses of
different currencies (which ones are and
might be affected in the future? Eg the euro
is an example of a currency under pressure)
• Inflation (home and abroad)
• Cost of raw materials (eg crude oil and its
impact on transportation costs)
• Rapid growth and stronger demand in
emerging markets than developed ones
• Recessions and slow recoveries in
developed nations
• Consumer confidence
• Trade tariffs and restrictions
• Unemployment (home and abroad)