Topics

31

BBA Discussion Forum / The Key Economic Indicators

« on: October 09, 2011, 02:54:42 PM »

Key statistics that indicate the direction of an economy. They are of three main types: (1) Leading indicators (such as new orders for consumer durables, net business formation, and share prices) that attempt to predict the economy's direction, (2) Coincident indicators (such as gross domestic product, employment levels, retail sales) that show up together with the occurrence of associated economic activity, and (3) Lagging indicators (such as gross national product, consumer price index, interest rates) that become apparent only after the occurrence of associated economic activity.

Leading Indicators
  
Measurable factors of economic performance that change before (ahead of) the underlying economic cycle starts to follow a particular direction or trend. Since these statistics precede (by one to 12 months) other changes in economic activity, they are used to forecast the forthcoming pattern of the overall economy. Major leading indictors include orders for durable goods, orders for plant and equipment, new housing starts, change in raw material prices, corporate profits and share prices, business formation and failures, and money supply (M2).

Order

1. Commerce: A confirmed request by one party to another to buy, sell, deliver, or receive goods or services under specified terms and conditions. When accepted by the receiving party, an order becomes a legally binding contract.

2. Banking: An instrument (such as a check or draft) through which its maker or issuer (drawer) authorizes a bank or other financial institution to pay the stated sum to a named holder (drawee or payee). Such instruments are transferable by endorsement, and thus are negotiable instruments.

3. Law: An authoritative mandate, command, or direction issued by a court under its seal. A final court order is called judgment.
4. Finance: An investor's instructions to a broker or dealer to buy or sell an item in a specified manner. Such orders are of four major types: (1) Limit order, (2) Market order, (3) Open order, and (4) Stop order.

Consumer Durables
  
Mass market heavy goods (such as washing machines, refrigerators, furniture) intended to last three or more years. Also called durable goods or hard goods.

Business
  
An economic system in which goods and services are exchanged for one another or money, on the basis of their perceived worth. Every business requires some form of investment and a sufficient number of customers to whom its output can be sold at profit on a consistent basis.

Fixed Assets (net) to Net Worth Ratio
  
Measure of the solvency of a firm, this ratio indicates the extent to which the owners' cash is frozen in the form of brick and mortar and machinery, and the extent to which funds are available for the firm's operations. A ratio higher than 0.75 indicates that the firm is vulnerable to unexpected events and changes in the business climate. Formula: Net fixed assets ÷ net worth.

Share Price

The price of one share of stock.

Coincident Indicators
  
Economic and financial market indicators which tend to move in step with (1) general economic trends such as gross domestic product (GDP), employment levels, retail sales, and/or (2) financial market trends such as interest rates and stockmarket prices. Also called concurrent indicators. See also lagging indicators and leading indicators.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)


The value of a country's overall output of goods and services (typically during one fiscal year) at market prices, excluding net income from abroad.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can be estimated in three ways which, in theory, should yield identical figures. They are (1) Expenditure basis: how much money was spent, (2) Output basis: how many goods and services were sold, and (3) Income basis: how much income (profit) was earned. These estimates, published quarterly, are constantly revised to approach greater accuracy. The most closely watched data is the period to period change in output and consumption, in real (inflation adjusted) terms. If indirect taxes are deducted from the market prices and subsidies are added, it is called GDP at factor cost or national dividend. If depreciation of the national capital stock is deducted from the GDP, it is called net domestic product. If income from abroad is added, it is called gross national product (GNP). The main criticisms of GDP as a realistic guide to a nation's well-being are that (1) it is preoccupied with indiscriminate production and consumption, and (2) it includes the cost of damage caused by pollution as a positive factor in its calculations, while excluding the lost value of depleted natural resources and unpaid costs of environmental harm. Also called gross value added (GVA).

Retail Sales

The official measure of broad consumer spending patterns based on the retail sales of consumer durables (goods that usually last more than three years) and consumer non-durables (that usually last less than three years).

Shareholders usually want to see the retail sales going up (which usually translate into higher corporate earnings). Bondholders favor declining retail sales that signal a slowing economy, lower inflation, and increase in bond prices.

Market Trend

When the trading market responds to the ups and downs of the prices associated with investments and securities. The terminology that applies to a market trend is "bull" or "bear."

Interest Rate
  
The annualized cost of credit or debt-capital computed as the percentage ratio of interest to the principal.

Each bank can determine its own interest rate on loans but, in practice, local rates are about the same from bank to bank. In general, interest rates rise in times of inflation, greater demand for credit, tight money supply, or due to higher reserve requirements for banks. A rise in interest rates for any reason tends to dampen business activity (because credit becomes more expensive) and the stock market (because investors can get better returns from bank deposits or newly issued bonds than from buying shares).

Price
  
A value that will purchase a definite quantity, weight, or other measure of a good or service.

As the consideration given in exchange for transfer of ownership, price forms the essential basis of commercial transactions. It may be fixed by a contract, left to be determined by an agreed upon formula at a future date, or discovered or negotiated during the course of dealings between the parties involved. In commerce, price is determined by what (1) a buyer is willing to pay, (2) a seller is willing to accept, and (3) the competition is allowing to be charged. With product, promotion, and place of marketing mix, it is one of the business variables over which organizations can exercise some degree of control. It is a criminal offense to manipulate prices (see price fixing) in collusion with other suppliers, and to give a misleading indication of price such as charging for items that are reasonably expected to be included in the advertised, list, or quoted price.

Lagging Indicators
  
Economic and financial-market indicators which tend to change only after an economy has already changed, or has begun to follow a particular pattern or trend. They trail behind (usually by six months) the overall economic cycle instead of moving with it (as coincident indicators do) or moving ahead of it (as leading indicators do). Major lagging indicators include the unemployment rate, outstanding consumer loans, outstanding business loans, business spending, business profits, book value of business inventories, unit labor costs, and consumer price index (CPI).

Unemployment Rate
  
Percentage of total workforce who are unemployed and are looking for a paid job. Unemployment rate is one of the most closely watched statistics because a rising rate is seen as a sign of weakening economy that may call for cut in interest rate. A falling rate, similarly, indicates a growing economy which is usually accompanied by higher inflation rate and may call for increase in interest rates.

Outstanding & Consumer Loan

Payment that has not been received for products or services rendered.
  
An amount of money lent to an individual (usually on a nonsecured basis) for personal, family, or household purposes. Consumer loans are monitored by government regulatory agencies for their compliance with consumer protection regulations such as the Truth in Lending Act. Also called consumer credit or consumer lending.

Book Value (BV)
  
1. Capital asset: Written down value of an asset as shown in the firm's balance sheet. BV is computed by deducting accumulated depreciation from the purchase price of the asset. Because, according to the provisions of GAAP, an asset's BV cannot show any increase or decrease in the asset's market value, it rarely reflects the asset's true worth.
2. Common stock: Amount that shareholders would (in theory) receive for each share if the firm's assets were sold (liquidated). Computed by dividing BV of the firm by the number of shares held by the shareholders (outstanding shares).
3. Firm: Net worth of a firm reflected in its balance sheet as owners' (shareholders') equity. It is computed by adding up all (equity and debt) capital invested since the firm's inception and deducting all liabilities. As in the case of the capital assets, the BV of a firm usually bears little or no resemblance to its true or market value.
4. Liability: Full amount (par value) of a liability less sums already paid. Also called basis value or carrying value.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

A measure of changes in the purchasing-power of a currency and the rate of inflation. The consumer price index expresses the current prices of a basket of goods and services in terms of the prices during the same period in a previous year, to show effect of inflation on purchasing power. Also called cost of living index (COLI), it is one of the best known lagging indicators. See also producer price index.

Source: http://www.businessdictionary.com

32

Common Forum / The most powerful thing in the world: Pen

« on: October 04, 2011, 12:41:39 PM »

A pen (Latin penna, feather) is a device used to apply ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used, with a nib of some sort to be dipped in the ink. Ruling pens allow precise adjustment of line width, and still find a few specialized uses, but technical pens such as the Rapidograph are more commonly used. Modern types also include ballpoint, rollerball, fountain, and felt or ceramic tip pens.

Ancient Indians were the first to use the pen. According to ancient text the earliest of pens made in India used bird feathers, bamboo sticks, etc. The old literature of Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharta used this kind of pen roughly 500 BC. Ancient Egyptians had developed writing on papyrus scrolls when scribes used thin reed brushes or reed pens from the Juncus Maritimus or sea rush. In his book A History of Writing, Steven Roger Fischer suggests that on the basis of finds at Saqqara, the reed pen might well have been used for writing on parchment as long ago as the First Dynasty or about 3000 BC. Reed pens continued to be used until the Middle Ages although they were slowly replaced by quills from about the 7th century. The reed pen, generally made from bamboo, is still used in some parts of Pakistan by young students and is used to write on small boards made of timber.

Most Valuable Pen

Swiss company Caran d'Ache made 'La Modernista Diamonds' a pen that was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000. Created in memory of architect Antonio Gaudi, the rhodium-coated solid silver pen has an 18-karat gold pen point and is pave-set with 5,072 diamonds and 96 half-cut rubies.

Swiss company Caran d'Ache made 'La Modernista Diamonds' a pen that was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000. Created in memory of architect Antonio Gaudi, the rhodium-coated solid silver pen has an 18-karat gold pen point and is pave-set with 5,072 diamonds and 96 half-cut rubies.

33

Telecom Forum / Android & 3G

« on: May 27, 2011, 11:40:42 AM »

The two most popular features regarding cell phones are Android and 3G. So far, I understand Android is an operating system and 3G is high speed third generation mobile network service. I think, if anyone have more clear ideas regarding these two words should tell us about their distinctive features.

34

BBA Discussion Forum / Economies & Diseconomies of Scale

« on: November 25, 2010, 03:30:32 PM »

This is a very important topic for the business students. There are many available data in the internet. But can someone post any easy example that relates the Graph of Economies & Dis-economies of Scale? this will help "us" business student greatly I think. Please try to post.

35

Common Forum / Eid Mubarak

« on: November 14, 2010, 05:46:12 PM »

Everybody I like to wish you happiness and peace in this Holy Eid Al Adha. Those who are going home please be careful.

36

Common Forum / Rare Flowers and Plants

« on: October 26, 2010, 06:01:46 PM »

Amorphophallus titanum

When it was discovered in the rainforest of central Sumatra in western Indonesia, by the Italian botanist and explorer Dr. Odoardo Beccari in 1878, the stories caused quite a sensation and disbelief among European botanists. Not until the first specimen flowered in cultivation at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England in 1889 did the world take notice. During the Victorian era plant hunting was at its height and unusual specimens were enjoyed by a discerning and curious audience. It was also an era where governesses protected young women from such an indecent sight. Whenever the Amorphophallus titanum, which grows only in western Sumatra, has flowered in cultivation it has attracted an enormous amount of attention. The 1998 bloom attracted more than 5,500 visitors to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and worldwide media attention as the first documented bloom of this species in the United States since 1939. A 1996 bloom of this species attracted thousands of people to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as did a 1970 two-day flowering in Java which attracted 34,000 viewers. It was introduced to the United States in 1937 when the New York Botanic Garden and the daily press kept the public informed of the progress of the gigantic bloom grown from an imported tuber. The spectacular event so impressed people that when a second specimen flowered (from another imported tuber) two years later it was designated as the official flower of the Bronx, symbolic of the largest and fastest growing borough of the City of New York. The discovery of this species must rank as one of the greatest highlights of natural history exploration.

source: http://www.virtualherbarium.org/Amorph/amorphophallus-history.html

37

Heritage/Culture / Famous personalities and their quotes

« on: October 26, 2010, 04:29:46 PM »

Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A)

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. In 656 he became the last of the "rightly guided" caliphs. The fourth of the caliphs or successors of Muhammad, was born in Mecca. His father, Abu Talib, was an uncle of the Prophet, and Ali himself was adopted by Muhammad and educated under his care.
While a boy, he distinguished himself by being one of the first to declare his adherence to the cause of Muhammad. Some years afterward he married the Prophet's daughter Fatima Zahra. Ali proved himself to be a brave and faithful soldier, and when Muhammad died without a male heir, some thought Ali to have the best claim to succeed Muhammad. Not until 656, after the murder of Uthman, the third caliph, however, did Ali assume the title of caliph. Certain conspirators later claimed that he took no steps to prevent this murder, but other sources claim that Ali sent his sons to defend Uthman, and was angered when they were unable to protect him.
The question of Ali's right to succeed to the caliphate is an article of faith which divided the Muslim world into two great sects, the Sunni and the Shia. The Sunnis believe that the prophet chose Abu Bakr to be the first caliph, while the Shia believes that he chose Ali. Ali did not challenge Abu Bakr or any of the later caliphs, however, but rather served as an adviser to them.
Ali is greatly respected by all Muslims, both Sunni and Shia. The Shia venerate him as second only to the prophet, and call him among several titles the "Leader of the Faithful" (Amir-ul-mumineen) and the "Lion of God" (Sher-i-Khuda), and celebrate the anniversary of his death. In the eyes of later Muslims he was a remarkable scholar, and he wrote many collections of proverbs and verses. The most famous collection of Ali's speeches and letters is the Nahj ul Balagha, "The peak of eloquence".
He is entombed in the grand shrine at Najaf in modern Iraq, although some believe he is buried at Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan. His sons Hasan and Husayn are also revered by Muslims, especially the Shia.


Quote

He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare,
And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

From Internet

38

Use of Forum / About opening MBA discussion forum

« on: October 24, 2010, 04:20:13 PM »

I think there should be an MBA discussion forum also. Although BBA and MBA discussion forum discussions will be almost same, theoretically, but “BBA discussion forum” described as, All BBA Students can host their discussions here so that every one can be benefited from this forum. Therefore, MBA students can not write here.

If there is a MBA discussion forum the MBA students can also share business theory with their practical knowledge.

Thanks,

39

You need to know / Computer Users Potential Injuries

« on: October 19, 2010, 06:43:06 PM »

Computer is an everyday tool for study, entertainment, work etc. However using computer for long time can cause some injuries. Such as eyestrain, muscle pain, joint pain, neck problems. These injuries can be reduced by using proper work station, improved posture, and good working habits.

The following picture from forbs.com will give you some ideas about using the computer correctly-

Laptop computer dangers

The growing use of laptop computers has increased the rate of pains, strains and injuries among computer users. Laptops were designed to allow computer access for limited periods of time when a person couldn’t reach a desktop computer.

The increased use of laptops as a replacement for a desktop computer has resulted in higher computer-related injury rates. The problem is that the monitor and keyboard of a laptop are very close together.

To position the monitor at the right height for the back and neck causes the arms and shoulders to be lifted too high. To position the keyboard at the best height for the arms and shoulders, the user must hunch the shoulders and neck to see the monitor.

Carrying laptops around can also cause excessive strain on muscles and joints.

Prevention tips

Suggestions to reduce the risk of laptop dangers include:

•   Use peripheral equipment whenever possible such as a docking station, separate keyboard, mouse and laptop stands.
•   Have frequent breaks.
•   Use a well set up desktop computer instead of a laptop where appropriate.
•   Carry your laptop in a backpack or in wheel-along luggage.

(Ref: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au)

I hope from this post students can take precaution which will help them protect their health.

40

Use of Forum / Advice

« on: October 16, 2010, 01:02:33 PM »

I don't have enough skills to advice my fellow Forum members. But I feel that sharing my thought will help develop myself and may be it can help you also. The following statement is a copy of a comment that I made in someone's post:

We should all be careful when posting. Please take my advice positively. Your post may be used by other students for various purposes, such as, assignment, study etc. Most of us are not from English medium schools, there will be some mistakes in our posts, but when we are posting something that is also available in other sources i.e, internet we can easily correct our post. We always should correct each other. Because it will help develop others and also ourselves. Thanks for reading and please correct me if I am wrong. 

41

BBA Discussion Forum / Important Organizations

« on: September 18, 2010, 07:44:15 PM »

Following are some very important organizations for business students:


World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948. The organization deals with regulation of trade between participating countries; it provides a framework for negotiating and formalizing trade agreements, and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants' adherence to WTO agreements which are signed by representatives of member governments and ratified by their parliaments. Most of the issues that the WTO focuses on derive from previous trade negotiations, especially from the Uruguay Round (1986-1994).

The organization is currently endeavoring to persist with a trade negotiation called the Doha Development Agenda (or Doha Round), which was launched in 2001 to enhance equitable participation of poorer countries which represent a majority of the world's population. However, the negotiation has been dogged by "disagreement between exporters of agricultural bulk commodities and countries with large numbers of subsistence farmers on the precise terms of a 'special safeguard measure' to protect farmers from surges in imports. At this time, the future of the Doha Round is uncertain."

The WTO has 153 members, representing more than 97% of total world trade and 30 observers, most seeking membership. The WTO is governed by a ministerial conference, meeting every two years; a general council, which implements the conference's policy decisions and is responsible for day-to-day administration; and a director-general, who is appointed by the ministerial conference. The WTO's headquarters is at the Centre William Rappard, Geneva, Switzerland.


World Bank

World Bank is a term used to describe an international financial institution that provides leveraged loans to developing countries for capital programs. The World Bank has a stated goal of reducing poverty. By law, all of its decisions must be guided by a commitment to promote foreign investment, international trade and facilitate capital investment.

The World Bank differs from the World Bank Group, in that the World Bank comprises only two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), whereas the latter incorporates these two in addition to three more:  International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

The World Bank is one of five institutions created at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. The International Monetary Fund, a related institution, is the second. Delegates from many countries attended the Bretton Woods Conference. The most powerful countries in attendance were the United States and United Kingdom which dominated negotiations.

Although both are based in Washington, D.C., the World Bank is by custom headed by an American, while the IMF is led by a European

International Monetary Fund

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the intergovernmental organization that oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic policies of its member countries; in particular those with an impact on exchange rate and the balance of payments. It is an organization formed with a stated objective of stabilizing international exchange rates and facilitating development through the enforcement of liberalising economic policies on other countries as a condition for loans, restructuring or aid. It also offers highly leveraged loans, mainly to poorer countries. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C., United States. The IMF's relatively high influence in world affairs and development has drawn heavy criticism from some sources.

The International Monetary Fund was conceived in July 1944 during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference. The representatives of 45 governments met in the Mount Washington Hotel in the area of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States, with the delegates to the conference agreeing on a framework for international economic cooperation. The IMF was formally organized on December 27, 1945, when the first 29 countries signed its Articles of Agreement. The statutory purposes of the IMF today are the same as when they were formulated in 1943.

The IMF's influence in the global economy steadily increased as it accumulated more members. The number of IMF member countries has more than quadrupled from the 44 states involved in its establishment, reflecting in particular the attainment of political independence by many developing countries and more recently the collapse of the Soviet bloc. The expansion of the IMF’s membership, together with the changes in the world economy, has required the IMF to adapt in a variety of ways to continue serving its purposes effectively.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

42

Sports Zone / The UEFA Champions League

« on: September 16, 2010, 06:24:40 PM »

The UEFA Champions League (usually referred to as simply the Champions League or historically as the European Cup) is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. The final of the competition is – along with the NFL's Super Bowl – the most watched annual sporting event worldwide, drawing just over 100 million television viewers.

Prior to 1992 the tournament was officially called the European Champion Clubs' Cup but was usually referred to as simply the European Cup or European Champions' Cup. The competition was initially a straight knockout competition open only to the champion club of each country. During the 1990s the tournament began to be expanded, incorporating a round-robin group phase and more teams. Europe's strongest national leagues now provide up to four teams each for the competition. The UEFA Champions League should not be confused with the UEFA Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.
*From Wikipedia.


Information about the current UEFA league are available here - http://www.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-champions-league/2010-2011/group-stage/

*Please write about your favorite team, players etc. Share your excitement about UEFA league. Thank you.

43

Common Forum / Discrimination & It's Types

« on: September 15, 2010, 06:21:56 PM »

Discrimination is a sociological term referring to the treatment taken toward or against a person of a certain group in consideration based solely on class or category. Discrimination is the actual behavior towards another group. It involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to other groups. The United Nations explains: "Discriminatory behaviors take many forms, but they all involve some form of exclusion or rejection." In some countries, controversial attempts such as racial quotas have been used to redress negative effects of discrimination.

The following are the major types of discriminations:

Race and Ethnicity discrimination

To treat differently a person or group of people based on their racial origins. Power is a necessary precondition, for it depends on the ability to give or withhold social benefits, facilities, services, opportunities etc., from someone who should be entitled to them, and are denied on the basis of race, colour or national origin.

Age discrimination

Age discrimination is discrimination on the grounds of age. Although theoretically the word can refer to the discrimination against any age group, age discrimination usually comes in one of three forms: discrimination against youth (also called adultism), discrimination against those 40 years old or older, and discrimination against elderly people.
Ageism is the causal effect of a continuum of fears related to age. This continuum includes:
•   Ephebiphobia: the fear of youth.
•   Gerontophobia: the fear of elderly people.
•   Pediaphobia: the fear of infants or small children.

Sex and Gender discrimination

Though gender discrimination and sexism refers to beliefs and attitudes in relation to the gender of a person, such beliefs and attitudes are of a social nature and do not, normally, carry any legal consequences. Sex discrimination, on the other hand, may have legal consequences.

The United Nations had stated that women often experience a "glass ceiling" and that there are no societies in which women enjoy the same opportunities as men. The term "glass ceiling" is used to describe a perceived barrier to advancement in employment based on discrimination, especially sex discrimination.


Employment discrimination

Employment discrimination refers to disabling certain people to apply and receive jobs based on their race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and disability. In relationship to Sociology, employment discrimination usually relates to what events are happening in society at the time.

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

In 2009, ILGA published a report based on research carried out by Daniel Ottosson at Södertörn University College, Stockholm, Sweden. This research found that of the 80 countries around the world that continue to consider homosexuality illegal, five carry the death penalty for homosexual activity, and two do in some regions of the country.
 
Language discrimination

Diversity of language is protected and respected by most nations who value cultural diversity. However, people are sometimes subjected to different treatment because their preferred language is associated with a particular group, class or category. Commonly, the preferred language is just another attribute of separate ethnic groups.

More information can be found in:- http://en.wikipedia.org.

44

Environmental Science and Disaster Management / World's most unusual and extraordinary lakes.

« on: September 14, 2010, 07:37:27 PM »

There are many things in this world which are exceptional because of its unique nature. Lets see some extraordinary lakes. Please see the attached file.

45

Sports Zone / Most Popular Sports Around The World

« on: September 14, 2010, 07:22:16 PM »

All types of sports are popular globally, but what sports can we call THE most popular in the world? Some of the answers may surprise you.

It's no surprise that football, or what Americans call "soccer" is the world's most popular sport to play and to watch. An estimated 3.5 billion people either watch or play football. The World Cup is the global championship of the sport and this tournament is played every four years. The World Cup itself is one of the highest rated sports on television.

Next, we have cricket. This sport which consists of a bat and a ball, has been around for hundreds of years and originated in England. An estimated 3 billion people watch or play cricket each year.

The next most popular sport is a sure surprise, and that is field hockey, with an estimated 2 billion players or watchers, mostly in Asian countries, European countries, Australia and around Africa. This sport tends to be played in high schools in the United States, usually by girls only.

Coming up next is tennis. Not so surprising, but there are an estimated 1 billion players and watchers of tennis around the world. Tennis tends to be popular in richer countries, including the United States, Asian countries, Australia and Europe. There are four main tournaments in tennis, called "Grand Slams" at which players from many countries play. The first is the Australian Open, then the French Open, Wimbledon and then the US Open in late August. The Grand Slam tournaments tend to get the most attention during the tennis season.

Next we have volleyball. Yet another surprise, with an estimated 900 million viewers or players around the world. Volleyball is popular in the United States, where the sport originated, as well as in Brazil, all over Europe, Russia, China and Japan. Volleyball is a popular high school sport in many countries due to it's team centered play and lack of specialized equipment requirements.

Also popular is table tennis, otherwise known as Ping Pong. This is another surprisingly popular sport around the world, with an estimated 900 million watchers or players. Table tennis originated in England as an after dinner activity for Victorians in the late 19th century. Table tennis as a competitive sport is popular in many countries but is especially popular in China, Korea and Singapore.

After these sports, we have a triumvirate of more mainstream American sports including baseball, golf, American football and basketball, with each sport attracting between 400 and 500 million players or watchers worldwide.

source:http://ezinearticles.com