Bond Fundamentals – Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy

It’s the Federal Reserve Bank that influences the money supply. Three tools are used to implement monetary policy:

  1. Open Market Operations
  2. Discount Rates
  3. Reserve Requirements

Since open market operations is the tool used most, we will cover it. Here’s how it works: When the economy is growing too fast and the Fed is worried about the inflation rate, it will sell government securities from its portfolio to the open market. This decreases bank reserves, which means the money supply decreases. When there are less bank and businesses have to pay the bank more in order to borrow. This discourages consumers and businesses from borrowing. Less borrowing means less spending, which slows the economy and eventually can reduce price pressures.

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Education – University Degree

With the escalating cost of higher education, many people have begun to question the value of pursuing a college degree. The struggle to earn a living and attain valuable knowledge to increase future earning potential is a dilemma for many folks. However, research has revealed that the rate of return on the investment to earn a university degree for both the individual and society over the long run is over 118% on average.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the holder of a university degree can earn over one million dollars in extra income over the course of their lifetime. One million dollars is a significant sum of money considering the cost involved in investing in a university degree ( On average US $35,196). Knowing that a person who holds a university degree may earn one million dollars more in their lifetime supports the concept that higher education is a worthwhile investment. There are many other verifiable reasons to support going to college to earn a university degree, such as:

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International Currency Exchange Rates & Monetary Policy Considerations

International currency exchange rates are a mechanism for determining the relative value of one currency against another. Rates are set by the forces of supply and demand. Market participants negotiate an agreed value at which the exchange takes place. There is no one centralized market place for exchange rates but the majority of transactions occur on the Interbank market between the participants who negotiate the agreed price. Exchange rates are essential for maintaining a workable framework for all matters of international trade and commerce. This article will examine the role of exchange rates and how they can influence economic and planning decisions.

Currency exchange rates affect foreign trade. International exchange rates allow countries to determine the relative cost of goods for sale. When one countries exchange rate rises or falls against another, it can create a shift in the way trade and commerce is conducted. Manufacturers and exporters price the cost of their goods in their base unit of currency. If the exchange rate appreciates to a considerable extent then it makes the cost of goods more expensive to the foreign purchaser. This can result in a reallocation of resources as demand for the goods shift to a comparatively cheaper supplier.

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