Equilibrium Rate of Interest

Equilibrium rate of interest

The interest rate that clears the market. Also called the trade-clearing interest rate.

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Equilibrium Rate of Interest

In money markets, an interest rate at which the demand for money and supply of money are equal. When a central bank sets interest rates higher than the equilibrium rate, there is an excess supply of money, resulting in investors holding less money and putting more into bonds. This causes the price of bonds to rise, driving down the interest rate toward the equilibrium rate. The opposite occurs when interest rates are lower than the equilibrium rate: there is excess demand for money, causing investors to sell bonds to raise cash. This decreases the price of bonds, causing the interest rate to rise to the equilibrium point. Central banks can use the equilibrium rate of interest as a tool in determining the appropriate money supply.