Quantitative Easing and Tightening Periods

Quantitative Easing (QE) and Quantitative Tightening (QT) periods based on historical events from the Federal Reserve:

Quantitative Easing (QE) Periods:

QE1:
Start: November 25, 2008
End: March 31, 2010
Description: The Federal Reserve initiated QE1 in response to the financial crisis, purchasing mortgage-backed securities and Treasuries.

QE2:
Start: November 3, 2010
End: June 29, 2011
Description: QE2 involved the purchase of $600 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds to further stimulate the economy.

QE3:
Start: September 13, 2012
End: October 29, 2014
Description: QE3 was an open-ended bond-buying program with monthly purchases of $85 billion in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

QE4 (COVID-19 Pandemic Response):
Start: March 15, 2020
End: March 10, 2022
Description: The Federal Reserve engaged in QE4 in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, purchasing Treasuries and MBS in an effort to provide liquidity.

Quantitative Tightening (QT) Periods:

QT1:
Start: October 1, 2017
End: August 1, 2019
Description: The Federal Reserve began shrinking its balance sheet in 2017, gradually reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities. This period ended in August 2019 when the Fed decided to stop reducing its balance sheet.

QT2:
Start: June 1, 2022
End: Ongoing (as of March 2025)
Description: The Federal Reserve started QT again in June 2022, reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries and MBS in response to rising inflation. The Fed has continued this tightening cycle.

These periods are key moments in U.S. monetary policy, where the Fed either injected liquidity into the economy (QE) or reduced its balance sheet by not reinvesting maturing securities (QT). The exact dates and nature of these policies may vary based on interpretation and adjustments to the Fed's actions during those times.