Open-Market Operations

open-market operations

The purchase and sale of government securities from a primary dealer in the open market by the Federal Reserve in order to influence the money supply, credit conditions, and interest rates. For example, large purchases of securities will release funds into bank reserves which, in turn, will be used for lending. This action increases the supply of money, and, at least temporarily, pushes down interest rates. Open-market operations have significant effects on security prices. See also Federal Open Market Committee.

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Open-Market Operations

The buying and selling of U.S. Treasury securities. The Federal Reserve conducts open market operations as a primary way of influencing inflation and economic growth. These securities are sold at certain interest rates as a way of controlling the money supply. See also: FOMC.

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Open-market operations. Open-market operations allow the Fed to implement its monetary policy and regulate the money supply.

The Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee (FOMC) regularly instructs the securities desk of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to buy or sell government securities as part of the process of increasing or decreasing the cash available for lending.