The Three Measures of Money Supply

The money supply is defined as the total quantity of money circulating in the economy at a particular time. It can be larger or smaller depending on the types of money that are included based on their level of liquidity in the economy. Starting from there, most countries distinguish between at least three common measures of money supply, M1, M2, and M3.

M1 - The Narrow Measure
M1 includes all physical currency in circulation, demand deposits at commercial banks, traveler’s checks, and other checkable deposits. Due to its narrow scope, M1 is often referred to as the narrowest measure of money supply or simply narrow money.

M2 - The Intermediate Measure
M2 includes everything in M1 as well as savings deposits, time deposits below 100,000 US dollars, and retail money market funds. It is often referred to as the intermediate measure because it is broader and therefore slightly less liquid than M1 but not quite as broad as M3.

M3 - The Broad Measure
M3 includes everything in M2 as well as time deposits larger than 100,000 dollars, institutional money market funds, and term repurchase agreements. It is considered the broadest and least liquid measure of money supply.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve reports M1 and M2 on a weekly and monthly basis. However, it stopped reporting M3 back in 2006, because according to the Board of Governors, M3 does not include any relevant information on economic activity that is not already embodied in M2.

Link to the most recent numbers of M1 and M2:

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[jamesvaldano]

Hi, how did you make this presentation? I liked it!