Quantitative easing (QE) is an unconventional monetary policy used by central banks to stimulate the economy through increasing the money supply when standard policies are ineffective. It works by having the central bank buy financial assets like treasury bonds from banks, increasing their prices and lowering interest rates. This aims to encourage borrowing and spending by businesses and households. The document outlines the history of QE programs in the US since 2008 and discusses whether they achieved their goals as well as the potential benefits like economic growth and risks like higher inflation.

1. QUANTITATIVE
EASING
Intensive Course – Fall semester 2014
Group 4 - Alexandre, Turtemuulen, Quang Trung Dang

2. What is QE ?
Quantitative easing (QE) is an unconventional monetary
policy used by central banks to stimulate the economy when
standard monetary policy has become ineffective
The central bank is an institution that manages a state’s (or
several states’) currency, money supply, and interest rates.
Basically, it describes a form of monetary policy used by central
banks to increase the supply of money in an economy when the
control bank interest is close to 0.

3. How does it work?
On one side businesses and consumers reduce their spending. On
the other side, banks don’t lend money because they are scared
they will not get it back. Instead, they buy treasuries because it is
a safe way to make money, whereas consumers and businesses
are not.
To buy those assets, the central bank has to create money
electronically, this money will be then transferred to the bank.

4. How does it work?
Therefore, by buying those treasuries, the central bank increases
their prices and lower their yield…
 …Reducing the cost of borrowing for businesses and households,
making them more likely to spend.
Bank can also buy directly assets of the companies. This should
increases spending to help keeping inflation around the
governments’ 2% target.

5. How does it work?
Therefore, by buying those treasuries, the central bank increases
their prices and lower their yield…
 …Reducing the cost of borrowing for businesses and households,
making them more likely to spend.
Bank can also buy directly assets of the companies. This should
increases spending to help keeping inflation around the
governments’ 2% target.

7. History of QE
QE1: December 2008 - June 2010
QE2:.November 2010 - June 2011
Operation Twist (September 2011 - December 2012)
QE3 (September 2012 - October 2014)
QE4 (January 2013 - October 2014)

8. Did QE work?
QE achieved some of its goals:
It removed toxic subprime mortgages from banks. Balance
sheets
It also helped to stabilize the U.S. economy, providing the
funds and the confidence to pull out of the recession.
It kept interest rates low enough to revive the housing
market.
It did stimulate economic growth, although probably not
as much as the Fed would have liked.

9. Did QE work?
The Fed has been cutting its purchase of Treasury and mortgage-backed
securities by $10bn a month at each meeting, from a peak of
$85bn.
$25bn in August and September, and a final $15bn tranche in
October.
Annual rate of growth in April, May and June to 4.2 percent
The unemployment rate has fallen to 6.2 percent from 8.2 percent
two years ago.
Companies are investing, consumers are spending.

10. The benefits of
Quantitative Easing
Quantitative easing can fuel economic growth since money
funneled into the economy should allow people to more
comfortably make purchases. This can have a trickle down
effect on both the consumer and business communities, leading
to increased stock market performance and GDP growth.

11. The benefits of
Quantitative Easing
Foster maximum employment
Encourage lending
Encourage borrowing
Increase spending.
Complement low interest rates

12. The risks of
Quantitative Easing
QE cannot simply generate wealth, and the
drawbacks and potential risks of even more QE will
become greater the more money has been created
already. Thereby, QE has several drawbacks worth to
consider.

13. The risks of
Quantitative Easing
It drives inflation much higher.
It creates dangers with international trade.
Threat to the money value.
Benefits do not exist QE programs. When the central bank stops
printing money, the recovery often gets put on hold, or worse,
begins to reverse.
Encourages debt.

14. The risks of
Quantitative Easing
QE generally leads to short-term benefits with the risk of
exacerbating long-term problems. As a result, it is often used as a
last resort when the economy faces a great risk of a recession or
depression.

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