Using the word ''underpinned'' in a sentence

Question

I wonder whether the use of the word "underpinned" is correct in the following sentence and if there is a synonym for this word that fits in the sentence (when I try to look for synonyms on thesaurus I do not find a right synonym):

Since some [people] have underpinned demand for these [items], the price of these [items] has to [decline/increase] to restore equilibrium in the [some] market.

Another example, taken from an academic paper, is the following:

If there are preferred habitats then the demand for these preferred securities is underpinned, giving scope for quantities to matter in their price determination.

To be clear, I talk about people (investors) who have a preference for a particular security. In this way, their demand is "underpinned". However, my supervisor found this word a bit odd. A synonym or rewriting the sentence could therefore also be an option.

Answer 1

"Underpinned" is not a word commonly used in English, and it's most common meaning is related to supporting a structure. It also has the meanings of support, justify or form the basis for, but you might want to instead use a synonym instead of underpinned so that your meaning is clear to your readers.

Some examples:

• Some investors have a preference for these bonds, which help support their current prices.
• The demand for these preferred securities helps explain their currently high prices.