what is the overall effect on interest rates in recessions - is there any empirical data to support the answer?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
14th Edition
ISBN:9780190931919
Author:NEWNAN
Publisher:NEWNAN
Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1QTC
icon
Related questions
Question

What happens to the interest rates on bonds during recessions. I am confused becaus

During an economic downturn,income and wealth are falling and thus the demand for bonds fall at every price level– the demand curve shifts to the left. Does this decrease the price of bonds meaning higher interest rates?

Or an alternartive explanation:

In recessions the government tends to cut interest rates in order to stimulate economic activity by creating incentive for banks to lower their rates on loans to consumers and firms, encouraging consumption and investment. This can lead to the interest rates on assets falling. Bonds are often a safe haven during recessionary periods because they offer a fixed income stream in times of uncertainty, and thus they may be favoured to other types of assets invesmtents increasing demand for bonds. The increase in demand Increases price of bonds thus decreases interest rates.

or in terms of supply: the supply of bonds may fall because there is less incentive to raise investment funds through issuing bonds when investment opportunities are low. When supply of bonds decreases, price rises and interest rates decrease.

what is the overall effect on interest rates in recessions - is there any empirical data to support the answer?

 

Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 4 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Investments
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Economics
ISBN:
9780190931919
Author:
NEWNAN
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Principles of Economics (12th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134078779
Author:
Karl E. Case, Ray C. Fair, Sharon E. Oster
Publisher:
PEARSON
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Engineering Economy (17th Edition)
Economics
ISBN:
9780134870069
Author:
William G. Sullivan, Elin M. Wicks, C. Patrick Koelling
Publisher:
PEARSON
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Principles of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781305585126
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Managerial Economics: A Problem Solving Approach
Economics
ISBN:
9781337106665
Author:
Luke M. Froeb, Brian T. McCann, Michael R. Ward, Mike Shor
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Managerial Economics & Business Strategy (Mcgraw-…
Economics
ISBN:
9781259290619
Author:
Michael Baye, Jeff Prince
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education