Monday quiz

Kickstart the week with a test of your investment knowledge--this week's focus is on money markets

Holly Cook | 15-06-09 | E-mail Article

1. What is the role the Bank of England plays in the UK T-bills market?
a) To control the amount of cash in the banking system

b) To control foreign exchange rates

c) To control unemployment

d) To promote speculation

2. The UK money markets are dominated by?
a) GEMMs

b) Private investors

c) Large financial and non-financial institutions

d) Money market brokers

3. What is happening if the ratio between gilt and equity yields rises?
a) Bond yields are rising compared to dividend yields

b) Gilts and equities are about to rise

c) Equities are too expensive

d) Equities are about to rise by comparison with gilts

Answers
1. a) The Bank of England uses T-bills to manage the amount of cash in the banking system (and interest rates) by conducting Open Market Operations (OMOs). During OMOs the Bank is buying or selling T-Bills in the London money market to either inject or remove cash to/from the banking system.

2. c) Although it is possible for members of the general public to hold money market instruments, the minimum values of most instruments are large enough to discourage wide-scale private involvement.

3. a) Gilts are bonds, and their yield will rise as other bond yields rise. Equities pay dividends--the yield from dividends is known as the dividend yield.

Click here to access the Morningstar Glossary of investment terms and definitions.

Holly Cook is Site Editor of Morningstar.co.uk and Hemscott.com. She would like to hear from you but cannot give financial advice. You can contact the author via this feedback form.
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