What does a rightward shift in the supply curve indicate?

A rightward shift in the supply curve is indicative of an increase in supply. When the supply curve shifts to the right, it shows that producers are willing to offer more goods for sale at each price level. This shift can result from various factors, such as improvements in technology, reductions in the cost of production, or favorable changes in government policies, all of which can enable suppliers to produce more at the same price point.

In contrast, a leftward shift in the supply curve would indicate a decrease in supply, where producers are less willing or able to offer goods, typically leading to higher prices if demand remains constant. The other choices do not pertain directly to the concept of shifts in the supply curve but rather reflect specific pricing or quantity dynamics that occur once the supply curve has shifted. Therefore, understanding that rightward shifts signify increased supply is crucial in analyzing market behavior and the relationship between price and quantity supplied.