Report
Patrick Artus

On the mechanism by which money loses value

Central banks in OECD countries continue to expand the money supply extremely rapidly. If the money supply grows abnormally fast, money loses value. How does this work? In the past, a loss in the value of money took place in relation to goods and services: a given quantity of money bought fewer goods and services, i.e. the prices of goods and services expressed in monetary terms increased (in reality, the value of money expressed in terms of the quantity of goods and services fell); Today, a loss in the value of money takes place in relation to financial and real estate assets: a given quantity of money buys (and will buy in the future, given the monetary policy being conducted) fewer assets (equities, real estate, gold, etc.). This means that the prices of assets expressed in monetary terms will increase (in reality, the value of money expressed in terms of the quantity of assets will fall); Can money be prevented from losing value relative to goods and services or assets? If the money supply grows very fast, the only solution would be for demand for money to also grow very fast for a reason un related to either an increase in goods and services prices or an increase in asset prices. This would be the case for example if risk aversion rose, as the desired share of money in assets would rise; it would also be the case if the nation’s currency acquired a greater international role at the expense of other currencies.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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