This document provides an overview of key topics in money, banking, and financial markets including: the importance of studying financial markets and institutions; how bond, stock, and foreign exchange markets work; the role of money and monetary policy in the economy; and the relationship between financial systems and international finance. It includes figures and examples to illustrate concepts such as interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, and the connection between money supply and business cycles.
This document provides an overview of key topics in money, banking, and financial markets including: the importance of studying financial markets and institutions; how bond, stock, and foreign exchange markets work; the role of money and monetary policy in the economy; and the relationship between financial systems and international finance. It includes figures and examples to illustrate concepts such as interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, and the connection between money supply and business cycles.
1-2 Why Study Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
• To examine how financial markets such as
bond, stock and foreign exchange markets work • To examine how financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies work • To examine the role of money in the economy
people who have an excess of available funds to people who have a shortage of funds – Promotes economic efficiency – Channels funds to people who need them – Promotes economic growth
1-4 The Bond Market and Interest Rates • A security (financial instrument) is a claim on the issuer’s future income or assets • A bond is a debt security that promises to make payments periodically for a specified period of time • An interest rate is the cost of borrowing or the price paid for the rental of funds
a corporation • A share of stock is a claim on the earnings and assets of the corporation • Issue of stocks is a way to raise funds • Stock markets are volatile – see Figure 2 • Are important in business decisions as prices of shares affects the amount of funds that can be raised by selling newly issued stock to finance investment spending
borrow funds from people who have saved and make loans to other people: – Banks: accept deposits and make loans – Other Financial Institutions: insurance companies, finance companies, pension funds, mutual funds and investment banks • Financial Innovation: in particular, the advent of the information age and e-finance
price of goods and services in an economy • A continual rise in the price level (inflation) affects all economic players • Data shows a connection between the money supply and the price level • Figure 4
• Prior to 1980, the rate of money growth and the interest rate on long-term Treasury bonds were closely tied • Since then, the relationship is less clear but the rate of money growth is still an important determinant of interest rates
1-21 Monetary and Fiscal Policy • Fiscal policy deals with government spending and taxation – Budget deficit is the excess of expenditures over revenues for a particular year – Budget surplus is the excess of revenues over expenditures for a particular year – Any deficit must be financed by borrowing
1-23 The Foreign Exchange Market • The foreign exchange market is where funds are converted from one currency into another • The foreign exchange rate is the price of one currency in terms of another currency • The foreign exchange market determines the foreign exchange rate
assets • The concept of equilibrium • Basic supply and demand to explain behavior in financial markets • The search for profits • An approach to financial structure based on transaction costs and asymmetric information • Aggregate supply and demand analysis