What is a liquidity trap?

A liquidity trap is an economic situation that occurs when interest rates are so low that monetary policy cannot effectively stimulate economic growth or increase inflation. This phenomenon occurs when people prefer to hold cash or other cash-like assets rather than investing in bonds or other financial instruments, even at incredibly low interest rates. The resulting problem is that central banks struggle to encourage borrowing and spending, despite having used their main tools, leading to a low-growth cycle.

The phrase “liquidity trap” was first coined by economist John Maynard Keynes in 1936 in his seminal work, The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.

In this article, we will explore the concept of liquidity traps, why they happen, their consequences, historical examples and potential solutions.

What causes a liquidity trap?

A liquidity trap usually occurs once interest rates are near zero or turn negative. As the opportunity cost for holding cash is so low, there is no incentive to invest in interest-bearing assets. Liquidity traps can also occur when there is an expectation of deflation, where spending is postponed. Instead, consumers will hold onto cash in the expectation that its value will increase in real terms over time. Furthermore, economic uncertainty can encourage people to hold onto their cash, particularly during a financial crisis. In the anticipation of further volatility, consumers and businesses tend to save rather than spend. People are prone to hoarding cash and exit financial markets when there is a general lack of confidence in the ability of a central bank to stimulate a lagging economy, or curb inflation. 

Liquidity trap characteristics

The key features of a liquidity trap are as follows:

Zero or Near-Zero Interest Rates

When interest rates are at or close to zero, there is no more room for a central bank to cut interest rates in order to stimulate the economy.

Weak Demand for Loans

In an uncertain or pessimistic economic outlook, consumers and businesses are generally more sceptical of borrowing. 

Preference for Cash

The desire to hoard cash instead of investing leads to an overall dampening of economic activity.

Failure of Monetary Policy

Liquidity traps occur after the traditional tools of monetary policy, like reducing interest rates or quantitative easing, have failed to raise spending and investment effectively.

Historical liquidity traps

Over the past century, there have been some famous examples of liquidity traps. For example, the Great Depression of the 1930s in the United States. In attempts to revive the economy through stimulus, deflation and low confidence held the US economy at bay

In the 1990s, Japan experienced a major period of economic stagnation after a large asset-price bubble occurred in the late 1980s. Despite low interest rates, monetary policy in Japan did not succeed in igniting growth. In more recent years, the financial crisis of 2008 led many advanced economies into conditions very much resembling a liquidity trap. While interest rates were cut significantly, it still took years for these economies to begin their recovery.

What are the effects of a liquidity trap?

A liquidity trap can result in a number of situations for economies. These can include:

Stagnant economic growth

From a combination of low consumer spending and low investment, stagnant economic growth can prolong a recession.

Deflationary pressure

A liquidity trap is almost certain to magnify deflation, resulting in a further demoralisation of spending and investment, as consumers and businesses expect prices to continue to fall.

Ineffective monetary policy

With central banks’ key tools for stimulating economies being rendered useless, their battle with economic slumps becomes even more laborious.

Increased inequality

Sometimes, asset prices may shoot up in a highly unbalanced way due to central bank measures, benefitting only those who already own assets.

How can central banks respond to a liquidity trap?

There are a few options at the disposal of central banks in order to combat a liquidity trap. These include quantitative easing, where a central bank purchases financial assets like government bonds in order to inject further liquidity into an economy, and bring down long-term interest rates. They can also directly affect consumer and business confidence levels, by asserting ‘forward guidance’, over keeping rates low for a a considerable amount of time. Occasionally, central banks (such as those in Europe or Japan) have implemented negative interest rates, attempting to penalise banks for hoarding cash and force them to lend. Fiscal measures can also be brought in, such as increased public spending, or tax cuts, in attempts to stimulate demand.

Can liquidity traps be avoided?

While not always predictable, central banks can take measures such as proactive monetary policy in order to anticipate potential liquidity traps. Deflationary spirals can be minimised if market participants are able to maintain their inflation expectations through proper communication and policies. Overall, supply-side measures like long-term structural reform can increase labour market flexibility and enhance productivity to avoid the problems of a liquidity trap in the first place.

For investors, liquidity traps have significant impacts on financial markets. During these periods, investors may consider that in bond markets, yields remain low - fixed-income securities are therefore less attractive prospects. Despite potentially beneficial effects for stock market through quantitative easing, weak overall economic fundamentals lead to volatility and lower returns. Hoarding cash is another strategy with little to no returns. During times of a liquidity trap, alternative assets such as gold or real estate become appealing options, in the form of safe-haven investments.

We can learn from Japan’s recovery strategy, by which monetary and fiscal policy were combined in order to escape their stagnation. Technological innovation can provide advancements in new industries which can provide more long-term solutions to the problems of liquidity traps.

Conclusion

A liquidity trap is both a complex and challenging economic condition for policymakers and central banks. Monetary policy alone is often not enough to sufficiently restore economic growth. Combining monetary and fiscal policy, with structural reform are essential steps towards escaping a liquidity trap. 

For investors, understanding the implications of liquidity traps is crucial for adapting, and mitigating risk. Through looking at historical examples, we can understand how economies in years gone by have tackled the constraints of a liquidity trap towards a path of sustainable growth.

Author

Caleb is a financial copywriter with a specialisation in fintech and forex. Former copywriter at Barclays and Paysafe. Contributing writer for LiquidityFinder.