The U.S. crude oil inventory unexpectedly fell 5.2 million barrels last week, pushing U.S. oil further higher, noted the zero hedge fund. U.S. crude stocks have declined for five consecutive weeks, while gasoline inventories have increased for five consecutive weeks. If there is a clear indication of an increase in the EIA Cushing crude inventory released on Wednesday (December 20), crude stocks could end the five consecutive decline. Independence is more difficult in an age when cross-border spillovers of national monetary policy become powerful. These spillover effects make central Banks consider the impact of their policies on foreign and global systems. But it is difficult to pursue global goals when the central bank operates under the narrow, centralized mandate of its independence, and is close to impossible. “None of the homeowners featured on the show know they’ve been chosen to receive a home makeover – it’s a surprise, so I can’t say any more about the episode we’re involved in at the moment. You’ll have to tune in and see it for yourself!” In theoretical economics, investment means buying (and therefore producing) capital goods - not being consumed but being used in future production. Examples include building railroads, or factories, cleaning the land, or allowing yourself to go to college. Strictly speaking, investment in formula GDP= C + I + G + NX is also part of gross domestic product. In that respect, the function of investment is divided into non-residential investments (such as factories, machinery, etc.) and residential investment (new homes). The correlation between I = (Y, I) is known to have a close relationship with income and interest rates. Higher incomes would boost higher investment, but higher interest rates would discourage investment because it would be more expensive to borrow. Even if companies choose to use their own funds to invest, interest rates represent the opportunity cost of investing in those funds rather than the interest that will lend out. Consumption is up 3.1 per cent, according to mastercard, but online retailers are experiencing the best performance of the sales growth, up 12 per cent year on year. Although the supermarket's busiest day is expected to be Friday, card operators have found that spending on groceries has fallen by 0.1% so far.