The transmission of monetary policy impulses in Belgium

The first part of this article outlines the monetary policy transmission process. It pinpoints some special features of the Belgian economy, such as its high degree of openness, especially in relation to euro area partners, the high level of household financial assets, relatively weak dependence on bank lending at macroeconomic level, and the automatic indexation of wages. The macroeconomic simulations presented in the second part of the article show that, in Belgium as in the euro area, a monetary policy tightening tends to cause a temporary contraction in activity, due substantially to the decline in investment, and a slower but more persistent fall in prices. The euro appreciation normally caused by such a monetary policy shock amplifies its effects on activity, but above all accelerates its impact on prices. The reaction of the Belgian economy does not appear to be obviously different from that of the rest of the euro area. It seems to be slightly more moderate in volume, owing to the lower sensitivity of investment, and more rapid in terms of prices.

End of the crisis in the housing markets ? An international survey

The article examines recent developments in international housing markets and makes an assessment of the current situation. The first section demonstrates that the last upward movement in house prices in advanced economies, that started during the mid-1990s, differed from previous upward phases because of its strength, duration and degree of synchronisation across countries. Low interest rates, financial innovation, relaxed credit conditions and demographic factors stimulated housing demand and led to higher prices and investment. The strongest increases were recorded in the UK, Spain, Ireland and France. Starting around the mid-2000s, housing markets increasingly displayed signs of overheating and the American subprime crisis of 2006 triggered a downward correction in the US housing market. Housing markets elsewhere displayed a similar pattern around the same period. Nevertheless, developments were less synchronised during this downturn than during the upturn, as the fall in house prices seems to be over in some countries while the correction continues in other countries. The degree of over- or undervaluation of recent house prices can be calculated on the basis of some frequently used measures. Taking into account fundamental factors like disposable income, population growth and the very low interest rate level, it appears that current prices in most countries are more or less in line with fundamentals. These simple measures have their limitations, and consequently one should be cautious when interpreting the results. Additionally, several common risk factors (normalisation of interest rates, lower potential growth after the economic crisis, fiscal consolidation) and some country-specific risk factors might hinder a further recovery of housing markets. The recent crisis clearly demonstrated the need for stricter rules and control of the financial sector. Various initiatives have already been taken, and international institutions have also formulated recommendations for housing policy reform and the functioning of residential property and mortgage markets. Subsequently, the European government debt crisis that started in 2010 stimulated initiatives to strengthen economic governance in the European Union. In the new surveillance framework, macroeconomic risks will be monitored more closely and more broadly, and this will include the use of indicators related to the housing sector.house prices, investment in housing, interest rates, financial innovation, demography, valuation, disposable income, United States, United Kingdom, euro area, Belgium