Report
Patrick Artus

Wealth inequality is an inevitable consequence of expansionary monetary policy

Expansionary monetary policies, whether aimed at boosting investment or ensuring government solvency, inevitably lead to abnormally low real interest rates. And abnormally low real interest rates eventually lead to an abnormal rise in asset prices (equities, real estate, etc.). The problem is not that central banks want to boost the equity market or real estate prices. The problem is that it has to be accepted that as soon as they want to stimulate the economy, they drive up asset prices and the value of financial and real estate wealth. Even helicopter money leads to this effect: even if a central bank distributes money to the poorest, and even if this money is initially consumed, it generates additional savings and wealth in the form of money that ends up leading to a rise in asset prices.
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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