Ace the AFP Exam 2026 – Boost Your Financial Wizardry!

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When a central bank sells government securities, what is the likely outcome?

Increase in money supply

Decrease in money supply

When a central bank sells government securities, it is effectively taking money out of circulation, which leads to a decrease in the money supply. When securities are sold, financial institutions and investors pay cash for these securities. The funds used for the purchase are effectively transferred from the buyers' accounts to the central bank's account, reducing the amount of money available in the banking system for lending and spending.

This action is part of a contractionary monetary policy. By decreasing the money supply, the central bank can help control inflation and stabilize the economy if it is overheating. A smaller money supply generally leads to higher interest rates and reduced consumer and business borrowing, further contributing to a slower rate of economic growth.

In contrast, the other choices imply effects that do not align with the action of selling government securities. An increase in money supply, stable economic conditions, and inflation of currency value would not typically result from this action. Instead, selling government securities is a tool used by central banks to manage economic variables by tightening the money supply.

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Stable economic conditions

Inflation of currency value

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