Quantitative Easing: No Inflation Threat, But Fed Must Stay Alert
The article explores whether the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program could lead to high inflation by increasing the money supply. It reviews past data and finds that rapid money growth did not cause significant inflation after the Great Recession. The rise in the Fed's balance sheet did not lead to more money available to the public due to banks holding excess reserves. The most likely outcome of quantitative easing is expected to be stable prices, but if inflation starts to rise, the Fed will need to manage banks' excess reserves carefully to prevent inflation from getting out of control.