Economic Glossary

Currency appreciation:

An increase in the value of one currency relative to another currency. Appreciation occurs when, because of a change in exchange rates; a unit of one currency buys more units of another currency. Opposite is the case with currency depreciation.

Federal Reserve:

Often called "The Fed" for short, the Federal Reserve is America's central bank. But everyday people can't open an account there. The Fed is a bank used only by other banks and by the federal government. The Fed controls the amount of money in the economy and helps to determine how high or low interest rates will be. It creates rules for the banking industry to make sure that banks are safe places for people to keep their money.

Treasury bill:

A short-term debt issued by a national government with a maximum maturity of one year. Treasury bills are sold at discount, such that the difference between purchase price and the value at maturity is the amount of interest.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT):

 An international body set up in 1947 to probe into the ways and means of reducing tariffs on internationally traded goods and services. Between 1947 and 1962, GATT held seven conferences but met with only moderate success. Its major success was achieved in 1967 during the so-called Kennedy Round of talks when tariffs on primary commodities were drastically slashed and then in 1994 with the signing of the Uruguay Round agreement. Replaced in 1995 by World Trade Organization (WTO)