Monetary policy and asset prices: the investment channel

The role of monetary policy during periods of asset price volatility has been the subject of discussion among economists and policymakers at least since the 1920s and the Great Depression that followed. In this paper we survey the recent and rapidly growing literature on this topic, with an emphasis on the investment channel. We present a detailed discussion of the hypotheses that have been used to justify, or criticise, a response to asset prices. These hypotheses concern imperfections in financial markets, bubbles in asset prices, and the information on which firm managers and central banks base their decisions.Investment; Asset Prices; Inflation Targeting; Fundamentals.

Equitity prices and Monetary Policy: An Overview with an Exploratory Model

Financial stability, with an emphasis on the relevance of asset prices stability to the stability of the overall economy, has become the sub ject of wide discussion among monetary authorities. Closely related to these issues are the concerns of central bankers with a bubble economy and its aftermath. After briefly surveying the potential links between financial markets and the real economy and its implications for the design of monetary policy, we illustrate some of the issues in this literature through the analysis of a simple linear rational expectations model. From this exercise we conclude that the benefits of reacting to asset prices depend crucially on the kind of shock hitting the economy. Ideally, reacting to the misalignment of equity prices is desirable. However, the presence of uncertainty in the estimation of the variables to which the policy rule responds may overturn this conclusion.Asset Prices, Inflation Targeting, Taylor Rule, Rational Expectations, Uncertainty.

The Consumption-Wealth Ratio Under Asymmetric Adjustment

This paper argues that nonlinear adjustment may provide a better explanation of fluctuations in the consumption-wealth ratio. The nonlinearity is captured by a Markov-switching vector error-correction model that allows the dynamics of the relationship to differ across regimes. Estimation of the system suggests that these states are related to the behaviour of financial markets. In fact, estimation of the system suggests that short-term deviations in the consumption-wealth ratio will forecast either asset returns or consumption growth: the first when changes in wealth are transitory; the second when changes in wealth are permanent. Our approach uncovers a richer and more complex dynamics in the consumption-wealth ratio than previous results in the literature, whilst being in accordance with theoretical predictions of a simple model of consumption under uncertainty.Consumption, Financial markets, Uncertainty, Forecast, Markov switching

Taylor-type rules versus optimal policy in a Markov-switching economy¤

We analyse the e®ect of uncertainty concerning the state and the nature of asset price movements on the optimal monetary policy response. Uncertainty is modelled by adding Markov-switching shocks to a DSGE model with capital accumulation. In our analysis we consider both Taylor-type rules and optimal policy. Taylor rules have been shown to provide a good description of US monetary policy. Deviations from its implied interest rates have been associated with risks of ¯nancial disruptions. Whereas interest rates in Taylor-type rules respond to a small subset of information, optimal policy considers all state variables and shocks. Our results suggest that, when a bubble bursts, the Taylor rule fails to achieve a soft landing, contrary to the optimal policy.Asset Prices, Monetary Policy, Markov Switching.

Taylor-type rules versus optimal policy in a Markov-switching economy

We analyse the effect of uncertainty concerning the state and the nature of asset price movements on the optimal monetary policy response. Uncertainty is modeled by adding Markov-switching shocks to a DSGE model with capital accumulation. In our analysis we consider both Taylor-type rules and optimal policy. Taylor rules have been shown to provide a good description of US monetary policy. Deviations from its implied interest rates have been associated with risks of financial disruptions. Whereas interest rates in Taylor-type rules respond to a small subset of information, optimal policy considers all state variables and shocks. Our results suggest that, when a bubble bursts, the Taylor rule fails to achieve a soft landing, contrary to the optimal policy.Asset Prices, Monetary Policy, Markov Switching

Optimal monetary policy with a regime-switching exchange rate in a forward-looking model

We evaluate the macroeconomic performance of different monetary policy rules when there is exchange rate uncertainty. We do this in the context of a non-linear rational expectations model. The exchange rate is allowed to deviate from its fundamental value and the persistence of the deviation is modeled as a Markov switching process. Our results suggest that taking into account the switching nature of the economy is important only in extreme cases.Exchange Rates, Monetary Policy, Markov Switching.

On the Stability of the Wealth Effect

Evidence of instability of the wealth effect in the USA is presented through the estimation of a Markov switching model of the long-run aggregate consumption function. The dating of the regimes appears to bear relation to movements in asset prices. A model-based explanation of the findings is suggested, highlighting the importance of the short-run relation between consumption, income and wealth in explaining the estimated long-run coefficients.Parameter instability; Markov switching; Consumption; Wealth effect

On the Stability of the Wealth Effect

Evidence of instability of the wealth effect in the USA is presented through the estimation of a Markov switching model of the long-run aggregate consumption function. The dating of the regimes appears to bear relation to movements in asset prices. A model-based explanation of the findings is suggested, highlighting the importance of the short-run relation between consumption, income and wealth in explaining the estimated long-run coefficients.Parameter instability, Markov switching, Consumption, Wealth effect.

The Consumption-Wealth Ratio Under Asymmetric Adjustment

This paper argues that nonlinear adjustment may provide a better explanation of °uctuations in the consumption-wealth ratio. The nonlinearity is captured by a Markov-switching vector error-correction model that allows the dynamics of the relationship to di®er across regimes. Estimation of the system suggests that these states are related to the behaviour of ¯nancial markets. In fact, estimation of the system suggests that short-term deviations in the consumption-wealth ratio will forecast either asset returns or consumption growth: the ¯rst when changes in wealth are transitory; the second when changes in wealth are permanent. Our approach uncovers a richer and more complex dynamics in the consumption-wealth ratio than previous results in the literature, whilst being in accordance with theoretical predictions of a simple model of consumption under uncertainty.Consumption; Financial markets; Uncertainty; Forecast; Markov switching

Employment and exchange rates: the role of openness and technology

Real exchange rate movements are important drivers of the reallocation of resources between sectors of the economy. Economic theory suggests that the impact of exchange rates should vary with the degree of exposure to internacional competition and with the technology level. This paper contributes by bringing together these two views, both theoretically and empirically. We show the both the degree of openness and the technology level mediate the impact of exchange rate movements on labour market developments. According to our estimations, whereas employment in high-technology sectors seems to be relatively immune to changes in real exchange rates, these appear to have sizable and significant effects on highly open low-technology sectors. The analysis of job flows suggests that the impact of exchange rates on these sectors occurs through employment destruction.exchange rates; international trade; employment destruction.