Answers to AMA Member Challenge
November 2008
Whether it's up or down, the Dow Jones Industrial Average consists of how many companies?
Correct answer: 30. Founded by Charles Dow in 1896, the Dow includes 30 of the largest public companies in the U.S. The most recent change in the list occurred in February '08 when Bank of America and Chevron replaced Altria Group and Honeywell.
2. Unlike the big three Detroit automakers, sales for these tiny American cars show no signs of slowing down, accelerating by 16% in 2008.
- Radio Flyer
- Playmobil
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Hot Wheels
Correct answer: Hot Wheels. The toy cars, made by Mattel, bring in $1 billion a year in global sales. Mattel has produced 4 billion Hot Wheels since introducing them in 1968 and now introduces 300 new models each year.
3. Which national newspaper, founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1908, will be the first to move exclusively online next year?
- The Christian Science Monitor
- The Washington Times
- USA Today
- The Wall Street Journal
Correct answer: The Christian Science Monitor. According to Reuters, the paper had more than 223,000 subscribers 40 years ago, compared to about 52,000 today. Yet the Monitor’s website gets 1.5 million monthly unique visitors and 5 million monthly page views. The paper won’t go entirely virtual; it will put out a weekly print edition.
4. What Disney musical (starring Zac Efron) was the box-office valedictorian last month, earning $42 million during its opening weekend?
- “Hairspray”
- “Mama Mia”
- “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”
- “Harold & Kumar 2”
Correct answer: “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” The third installment of the wildly successful Disney franchise—the first to debut on the big screen instead of television—opened as one of the most profitable films of the decade, according to the New York Times. With a production cost of $13 million, the film initially sold $82 million in tickets worldwide.
5. Rocker Bjork’s CD sales may suffer as interest rates on the krona just soared to a whopping 18% in which financially troubled European country?
- Czech Republic
- Turkey
- Malta
- Iceland
Correct answer: Iceland. The 6% interest rate increase, which followed an initial 3.5% cut, was an attempt to restore viability of the country’s krona. The Icelandic government was forced to take over three of the country’s largest banks last month, as the financial system teetered on the brink of collapse.
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