How does an outright open market operation differ from a repo?
- It is conducted by commercial banks
- Its effect on money is permanent
- It is settled only in foreign currency
- It applies only to equity shares
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: B. Its effect on money is permanent
1. In an outright operation the central bank buys or sells securities with no promise to reverse the trade.
2. The money injected or absorbed therefore stays in or out of the system.
3. So the effect is **permanent**, unlike a repo, which specifies a date and price for the reverse leg.
4. Both instruments deal in government securities and both are conducted by the central bank, so the remaining options misstate the mechanics.
_Source: syllabus Introductory Macroeconomics, Ch 3 "Money and Banking", section 3.4 POLICY TOOLS TO CONTROL MONEY SUPPLY_