Budget Surplus

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Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Budget Surplus'

A situation in which income exceeds expenditures. The term "budget surplus" is most commonly used to refer to the financial situations of governments; individuals speak of "savings" rather than a "budget surplus." A surplus is considered a sign that government is being run efficiently. A budget surplus might be used to pay off debt, save for the future, or to make a desired purchase that has been delayed. A city government that had a surplus might use the money to make improvements to a run-down park, for example.

Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Budget Surplus'

When spending exceeds income, the result is a budget deficit, which must be financed by borrowing money and paying interest on the borrowed funds, much like an individual spending more than he can afford and carrying a balance on a credit card. A balanced budget occurs when spending equals income. The U.S. government has only had a budget surplus in a few years since 1950. The Clinton administration (1993-2001) famously cured a large budget deficit and created a surplus in the late 1990s.

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Search results for

'Budget Surplus'

  • Breaking Down The US Budget Deficit

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/us-budget-deficit.asp
    ... The US government experiences a budget surplus when it takes in more revenue
    than it pays out for all government expenditures combined. ...
  • Investment Gains Down Under

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Investment-Gains-Down-Under-EWA-KROO-IAF-FXA0713.aspx
    ... The nation runs a budget surplus and new bullish comments from the Reserve Bank
    of Australia echo that consumer spending and business investment are expanding. ...
  • Why should I bother creating a budget?

    http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/07/make-budget.asp
    ... For people who earn enough income to cover their bills and have a regular monthly
    surplus, a budget can help maximize investment capital by earmarking regular ...
  • Don't Ignore The Netherlands

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Dont-Ignore-The-Netherlands-EWN-PHG-CNH-ING-AEG1202.aspx
    ... Before the global recession, the nation ran a slight budget surplus. In the short
    term, the falling euro has facilitated a rebound in the Netherland's economy. ...
  • CFA Level 1 Study Guide - Macroeconomics - Effects of Fiscal ...

    http://www.investopedia.com/exam-guide/cfa-level-1/macroeconomics/effects-fiscal-policy.asp
    Sign In• Register• Free Annual Reports • Free Newsletters. Dictionary;
    Investing; Markets; Personal Finance; Active Trading; Forex; ...
  • Parties For Taxes: Republicans Vs. Democrats

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/09/us-parties-republican-democrat-taxes.asp
    ... The Reagan and Clinton tax increases served to reign in a budget deficit, which
    then allowed Clinton to announce a budget surplus of $230 billion in 2000. ...
  • Searching For Gains In Scandinavia

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Searching-For-Gains-In-Scandinavia-GXF-NORW-EWD-FXS0204.aspx
    ... assets in pension funds and stakes in companies more than cover their
    obligations. Norway alone ran an 11% budget surplus in 2009. ...
  • Keep An Eye On South Korea

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/Keep-An-Eye-On-South-Korea-EWY-SKOR-BICK-SKM-PKX-LPL0915.aspx
    ... This compares with 115% in Greece and 192% in Japan. This is the lowest percentage
    of OCED member nations. South Korea also enjoys a budget surplus. ...
  • BANC Some Inflation Protection With These Nations

    http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2010/BANC-Some-Inflation-Protection-With-These-Nations-EWZ-EWC-EWA-NORW1115.aspx
    ... Running a national budget surplus and trading for a lower forward price-to-earnings
    ratio than that of the broad world index, Australia can be accessed through ...
  • Twin Deficits: Twice The Fun For The US

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/10/twin-deficits.asp
    ... finished goods, they can be exported, and the deficit turned into a surplus. ... Twin
    Deficit Hypothesis Some economists believe that a large budget deficit is ...

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