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May 1979

Energy Prices and Capital Formation: 1972-1977

by John A. Tatom

Two of the most noteworthy developments in the U.S. economy during this decade have been the sharp rise in energy prices in 1973-74 and the sluggish pace of business investment during the brisk economic expansion which followed the 1974-75 recession. The purpose of this article is to delineate the connection between these two developments.