What is "quantitative easing"?

Quantitative easing is a monetary policy tool used by central banks to stimulate the economy when traditional monetary policy becomes ineffective, particularly during periods of very low interest rates. By increasing the money supply, central banks aim to lower interest rates further, encourage lending and investment, and support overall economic activity.

In practice, this often involves the central bank purchasing government securities and other financial assets, which injects liquidity into the financial system. As a result, banks have more funds to lend out, which can lead to increased spending by businesses and consumers. The ultimate goal of quantitative easing is to foster economic growth and prevent deflation, especially in challenging economic conditions.

This concept contrasts significantly with other options. For instance, increasing interest rates would be a tightening of monetary policy, which is opposite to the expansive nature of quantitative easing. Similarly, reducing the money supply is not consistent with the goals of quantitative easing, as it seeks to increase the money supply to invigorate the economy rather than restrict it. Lastly, limiting government spending does not directly relate to the mechanisms or objectives of quantitative easing, which focuses more on monetary rather than fiscal policy.