Financial Markets Research PaperEach student will prepare an argumentative financial markets research paper, developed with appropriate evidence drawn from primary and secondary source material that demonstrates understanding and fluency in key course topics.The research paper topic must explore a problem, question or issue bearing on U.S. financial markets and institutions that is historically significant or currently important.To develop the topic, it is recommended that students review all course topics prior to or at the very start of the course to develop ideas about their paper topic. There are 3 parts to the research paper:Topic submitted for approval Week 1Draft submitted for grading Week 4Final research paper submitted for grading week 7 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Topic ( 17 Jan 2021)i. Each student must submit their working title and topic for their research paper on or before the end of Week ii. Submit a Word file titled “Research paper topic” in Week Please note: student’s paper topic must be approved. Week 4 draft and final research papers will not be accepted/graded unless the student’s topic is approved.Topic working title and short description of key issue, 2 -3 paragraphsTo provide enough time for you to research, draft, and complete your financial markets paper, you must submit for approval a topic by the end of Week 1. While challenging, this exercise will:Help you quickly review the organization of the course by topicGain assistance from your instructor through the approval process of defining your topicOne challenge is defining a specific topic. For example, the topic "Federal Reserve" is far too broad. Here are considerations and suggestions for you in defining your research topic:Start by review the major topics of the course. See how the textbook is organized, and flip through the various chapters to identify potential topics.Start by reviewing the requirements and grading criteria for the paper as listed in the syllabus.Select a topic in which you have interest and/or one in which you wish to increase your understanding.Conduct some very preliminary research to ensure that there are sufficient sources for you to support your analysis.Your paper must be analytic. Meaning one must combine research on the topic to define a problem and the key stakeholders harmed by the problem, explore the scope of the issue/problem, and provide recommendation and implementation plan. This can only be accomplished through analysis/examination of the issue or problem.Solely describing the issue/problem and/or the history of the issue/problem is insufficient. For example, writing on the history of the two most recent U.S. recessions is not an acceptable topic.Primary business sources must be used. Here is a recommended list of trade publications that are acceptable (this is not an inclusive list).Bloomberg (Links to an external site.)CNN (Links to an external site.)New York Times (Links to an external site.)CNBC (Links to an external site.)BBC (Links to an external site.)Market Watch (Links to an external site.)Reuters (Links to an external site.)The Guardian (Links to an external site.)Economist (Links to an external site.)Wall Street Journal (Links to an external site.)Financial Times (Links to an external site.)APA format must be used.-------------------------------------2. Financial Markets research paper (draft) (05 Feb 2021)a. A draft of your research paper is due on or before the end of Week 4b. Submit the draft Word file via the Canvas assignment drop box title “Research paper draft”--------------------------------------3. Financial Markets research paper (20 Feb 2021)1. Each student will be required to complete an original 8-page (maximum) research paper a. See topic approval section above. 2. The research paper must address and include:a. A problem, question or issue bearing on U.S. financial markets and institutions that is historically significant or currently importantb. research that demonstrates the validity and applicability of the problem, question or issue in the field c. solution to the problem, question or issue or, if no solution is available, a discussion of alternatives that may be utilizedd. quantitative data specific and relevant to the problem, question, or issuee. quantitative evaluation issue using the relevant dataf. narrative analysis supported (cited) by the research on the topicg. clear and appropriate conclusion h. Research paper required characteristics:1. The 8-page requirement does not include the title page and references.2. A minimum of 12 research sources3. Each of the 12 sources must be cited within the paper4. APA formata. Correct title pageb. Correct APA in-text citation formatc. Correct APA formatted reference page'i. Times New Roman, 12-ptd. References: A minimum of 12 relevant sources (excluding the textbook) from primary-source documents or reports, peer-reviewed journals or equivalent materials with substantive academic value, cited in the text and identified as references (e.g., Journal of Monetary Economics; American Economic Review; Journal of Political Economy; publication of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board; official publications of publicly held financial institutions, etc.).Examples of references that are not acceptable:WikipediaInvestopediaBlog sites or opinion pieces

Prepare a 12- to 16-slide presentation for the 2 economies assigned to your team. Except for Team A, each pair of economies has 1 very successful country and 1 not so successful country. Team A: NAFTA vs European Union (world’s 2 largest economic entities)Research each economy assigned to your Team. Compare similarities and differences between your assigned countries/economies and how their economic, political, and cultural development since 1992 has influenced their economic growth and trade competitiveness.Use tables and/or graphs to support your analysis of the following economic statistics/indicators of your 2 assigned economies through the most recent year available since 2009 (the trough of the last economic cycle). Whenever possible, plot the metric for both economies on the same chart.GDP per capita growth over timeInflation rate over timeUnemployment rate over timeExports as a % of GDP over timeNational government debt as a % of GDP Evaluate the reasons why the economic growth of the 2 economies/countries varied. Discuss how international trade influenced the strength of each economy. Discuss the role of value chains and value-added production.Analyze how the failure to use value-added trade measures distorts trade statistics. For example, Boeing and Airbus airliners, Apple iPad and iPhone production, and North American integrated auto and light truck manufacturing.Examine at least 2 industries that have provided each economy a comparative advantage in world trade.Cite at least 2 academically credible sources.