The Liquidity Preference Theory suggests that investors demand higher interest rates for longer term investments because cash is considered the most liquid asset. There are three motives for demanding money: transaction motives for daily needs, precautionary motives for unexpected events, and speculative motives based on interest rate fluctuations. The total demand for money is the sum of these three motives and is determined by income and interest rates. Interest rates are set by the point where the total demand for money equals the fixed money supply as determined by the central bank, with the demand curve sloping downward and the supply curve being vertical.

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Liquidity Preference Theory

2. 1. Introduction
2. Demand for Money
3. Total Demand
4. Supply for Money
5. Determination of Interest Rate
6. Limitations
7. Reference
Content

3. Liquidity Preference Theory suggests that investors demand higher interest rates or additional premiums for medium or
long-term maturities and investments. Simply put, interest rates directly indicate the price of the money. Therefore, other
things remaining constant demand and supply of money determines the interest rate.
According to Keynes, interest rates are a reward for not having liquidity in their hands, and the consideration goes hand
in hand with the ideology that cash is the most liquid asset.
Introduction

4. There are 3 main reasons (motives) for demand for money. These motives are as follows:
1. Transaction Motives:
In order to satisfy all daily needs, the individual requires money with a transaction motive. Demand through transaction
motive is inelastic to interest rates and elastic to income level. Expression of transaction motive is: T = f (Y)
2. Precautionary Motives:
This is the second motive. Because the future is uncertain and there could be sudden natural or man-made disasters,
Individuals demand money with a precautionary motive for protection against uncertain future. Expression of
precautionary motive is: P = f (Y)
3. Speculative Motive:
Individuals demand money by taking into account fluctuations in interest rates or bond prices. If interest rates are lower
or bond prices are lower, there is a high demand for money with speculative motives and vice versa. Expression of
speculative motive is: S = f (R)
Demand for Money

5. The aggregate demand for money or the function of liquidity preference would be the sum of all three motives
transaction, precautionary and speculative.
TD = T + P + S
TD = f (Y) + f (Y) = f (R)
Total Demand = f (Y, R)
Total Demand

6. According to John Maynard Keynes, the supply of money is largely fixed and determined by the country’s central bank.
Hence, according to the theory of liquidity preference, the supply is perfectly inelastic and graphically represents a
straight vertical line.
Supply for Money

7. The interest rate is determined at the point where the demand for money is equal to the supply of money. The TD curve
is downward sloping from left to right. This is due to the opposite link between the demand for money and the interest
rate. Whereas the Supply (SP) curve is perfectly inelastic and represents a vertical straight line.
Determination of Interest Rate

8. The limitations of Liquidity Preference Theory are as follows:
• It assumes that the employment rate is constant.
• It assumes a certain level of income.
• It completely ignores the scenario of receiving interest benefits for some funds and receiving liquidity benefits for
remaining funds.
• Ignores that different interest rates exist in different markets at the same time.
• The savings done by individuals is not considered
Limitations

9. Reference
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