Using the graph and definitions below of the supply of loanable funds, SLF, and the demand for loanable funds, DLF, discuss the following:
a. What is meant by the equilibrium nominal rate of interest?
b. Illustrate and discuss how an autonomous increase in the expected rate of inflation will change the equilibrium nominal interest rate. Express your discussion in terms of the effect on the supply and demand for loanable funds. Consider an initial real rate of interest of 3 percent and an expected inflation rate of 3 percent. If the expected rate of inflation rises to 4 percent with the real interest rate constant, what would the resulting nominal interest rate become in equilibrium using the Fisher relationship? Assume that investors believe the rise in the expected rate of inflation will remain at the higher level indefinitely.
c. Starting from an equilibrium position as in 1.a, discuss the effects of a tightening monetary policy if the markets believe that a Fed tightening will lower future (next period) inflation. How might a recession occur under this scenario? HINTS: Recall the Fisher relationship where (1+i) = (1+r)(1+pe), where i is the nominal interest rate, r is the required real rate of return before taxes, and pe is the expected rate of inflation.