The Equilibrium Interest Rate | CBCS
Almost all financial markets clear—that is, almost all reach an equilibrium where quantity demanded equals quantity supplied. In the money market, the point at which the quantity of money demanded equals the quantity of money supplied determines the equilibrium interest rate in the economy. This explanation sounds simple, but it requires elaboration. Supply and Demand in the Money Market The Fed or Central Bank controls the money supply through its manipulation of the amount of reserves in the economy. Because we are assuming that the Fed’s money supply behavior does not depend on the interest rate, the money supply curve is a vertical line. In other words, we are assuming that the Fed uses its three tools (the required reserve ratio, the discount rate, and open market operations ) to achieve its fixed target for the money supply. Adjustments in the Money Market- Equilibrium exists in the money market when the supply of money is equal to the demand for money and thus when ...