XYZ Ltd signs a contract on 30 June 2015, agreeing to build a bridge for ABC Limited at a contract price of $40 million. XYZ Ltd estimates that construction costs will be as follows:

In its 2016 annual report, caterpillar inc. reported the following (in millions): 2016 2015 sales $38,537 $47,011 cost of goods sold 28,309 33,546 as a percentage of sales, did caterpillar's gross profit increase or decrease during 2016? select one: a. gross profit increased from 26.8% to 28.6% b. gross profit decreased from 28.6% to 26.5% c. gross profit increased from 71.4% to 73.2% d. gross profit decreased from 73.2% to 71.4% e. there is not enough information to answer the question.

Jade international is a highly diversified global firm with headquarters in new jersey. it manufactures a variety of products ranging from home security systems to automotive components. jade's 100,000 employees work at facilities located in more than 60 countries around the world. jade frequently sends american managers overseas to manage the firm's foreign facilities. the hr department is considering the idea of redesigning jade's expatriate support services program. which of the following, if true, best supports jade's decision to provide assistance to trailing spouses in finding jobs overseas? a) jade puts great emphasis on promoting the role of women in global management. b) the majority of jade's expatriate managers have long-term international experience. c) jade has lost a significant chunk of its global cadre in the recent past owing to its failure to offer feasible options to address the dual-career couples dilemma. d) female managers at jade have reported discriminatory treatment while on overseas assignments.

Suppose that: 1. malaysia requires 1 hour of labor to produce 1 pound of rice and 2 hours of labor to produce 1 pencil; 2. indonesia requires 2 hours of labor to produce 1 pound of rice and 4 hours of labor to produce 1 pencil; 3. each country has 10,000 hours of labor to allocate between the production of rice and pencils; and 4. in autarky, malaysia consumes 5,000 pounds of rice and 2,500 pencils. which country has an absolute advantage in rice production? in pencil production? which country has a comparative advantage in rice production? in pencil production? will trade between the two countries be mutually beneficial?