European Central Bank Unveils Details of Quantitative Easing Program

The European Central Bank (ECB) revealed earlier today the details of their 60 billion EUR/month quantitative easing (QE) program.

The program, which "is designed to fulfil the price stability mandate", will see the European Central Bank purchase 60 billion EUR/month worth of "bonds issued by euro area central governments, agencies and European institutions" until "at least" September of 2016.

The general idea of QE is to keep interest rates low so that, in theory, businesses and people borrow more money. This, in turn, will lead to increased spending and job creation that should result in a stronger economy.

These recently announced moves were enacted in order to counter the onset of deflation, which has shown signs of appearing in the eurozone in recent months. By introducing a 60 billion EUR/month bond buying program, the European Union is hoping to maintain inflation of close to 2%.

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Other nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, have engaged in QE in recent years, to varying degrees of success.

With the United States seemingly back on track after a roughly 5-6 year stretch, many people are pointing to America as the example for how to properly conduct a quantitative easing campaign.

One of the major downsides to increasing your money supply, of course, is that it will significantly weaker your currency. The Euro recently hit an 11-year low against the US dollar and will almost certainly continue lower, especially with the United States about to enter into a tightening cycle.

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Shares rose after the news was released, as equities will look much more appetizing thanks to low interest rates.

Source: BBC.com - ECB Unveils Massive QE Boost For Eurozone

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