Suppose that changing money market conditions result in an interest rate higher than the equilibrium rate. Then:
- Portfolio managers will neither buy nor sell bonds and thus maintain the mix of money balances and bonds in their portfolios.
- Portfolio managers will sell bonds and thus reduce the money balances in their portfolios.
- Portfolio managers will sell bonds and thus increase the money balances in their portfolios.
- Portfolio managers will buy bonds and thus reduce the money balances in their portfolios.
Interest rate (i)
Mo/P
L(Yo)
Mo/P Li Real money balances
If the money market in the diagram is not in equilibrium at the interest rate iy:
- Portfolio managers will be content with their holdings of bonds and money balances because low interest rates are good for consumers.
- Portfolio managers will sell bonds to increase their money holdings, pushing bond prices down and interest rates up until equilibrium is reached.
- Portfolio managers will lobby banks and central banks to increase their lending, deposits, and the money supply.