The relevance of real-time data in estimating reaction functions for the Euro area

This paper tackles the issue of the incompleteness of information available to the central bank when taking its monetary policy decisions. It is focused on euro area data and based on the simplistic assumption of the central bank following a simple monetary policy rule à-la-Taylor. Along the lines of the work by Orphanides (2001), our aim is to assess whether estimates of reaction functions which are carried out using revised data for the euro area can be misleading. In essence, the analysis yields indications which are consistent with the findings by Orphanides for the United States. First of all, the results found suggest that it would be preferable for a central bank not to attach too much weight on output gap measures in policy analysis, given that such measures are subject to large revisions over time. Moreover, the coefficients of a simple Taylor rule estimated in real time differ quite considerably from those related to the same rule estimated on the basis of ex post revised data. More precisely, a coefficient for inflation larger than one (which is a requirement for a unique equilibrium in many theoretical models) in real time is found only in case a forward-looking specification based on the Survey of Professional Forecasters is used. On the contrary, when using revised data, the same result is obtained if the Taylor rules include the current inflation rate. This shows how a misleading inference can occur when the appropriate available data are not taken into account. --Taylor rules,reaction functions,monetary policy,euro area,real-time data

Taylor rules for the euro area: the issue of real-time data

Recently, a number of studies have made an attempt to deal with the key issue of the incompleteness of information available to the central bank when taking its monetary policy decisions. This study adds to this literature by tackling the problem with regard to the euro area. The analysis is based on the simplistic assumption of the central bank following a simple monetary policy rule ?-la-Taylor. Along the lines of work suggested by Orphanides, the study tries to assess whether estimates of reaction functions which are carried out using revised data for the euro area can convey a misleading message in terms of policy recommendations. --Taylor Rules,Reaction Functions,Monetary Policy,Euro Area,Real Time Data

Excess money growth and inflation dynamics

The paper analyses the short-run impact of periods of strong monetary growth on inflation dynamics for 15 industrialised economies. We find that, over a 3-year horizon, the positive link between monetary aggregates and prices holds in approximately fifty percent of the cases. An econometric investigation suggests that a contemporaneous increase in the gap measures of the real stock price and real housing price and strong dynamics of loans to the private sector significantly increase the probability of turning an episode of excessive money growth into an inflationary outburst. JEL Classification:inflation, money growth, quantity theory of money

Excess money growth and inflation dynamics

The paper analyzes the short-run impact of periods of strong monetary growth on inflation dynamics for 15 industrialized economies. We find that when robust money growth is accompanied by large increases in stock and house prices and loose credit conditions, the probability of recording an inflationary outburst over a three-year horizon is significantly increased. In contrast, significant money stock expansions which are not associated with sustained credit increases and strong dynamics in other asset prices seem to be less likely to have inflationary consequences and thus, less worrying from a policy perspective.Inflation, money growth, quantity theory of money

Monetary analysis: a VAR perspective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic relationships between some key variables for the euro area by means of a systems approach (i.e. so-called Vector Autoregression) and to simulate their responses with respect to monetary policy shocks. The main result is that rather simple models can provide plausible reactions to changes in monetary policy. In particular, a positive shock in the short-term nominal interest rate is followed by a transitory decline in real income as well as a negative and permanent effect on the price level and nominal M3, leaving real M3 broadly unchanged. --Monetary analysis,VAR models,generalized impulse response functions

The sustainability of government financial policies in overlapping-generations models

The objective of this thesis is to examine the implications of different government financial policies on the real sector of the economy. For this purpose we develop two overlapping-generations models. The first one allows us to evaluate the performance of the economy when debt is managed with different types of financial assets. A general result of the analysis is shown to be that an increase in the burden of debt leads to crowding out of the capital stock. A criterion for deriving endogenously the maximum sustainable level of debt within the model is also identified. The model turns out to be useful to provide an explanation of the poverty trap which is a very common phenomenon in some developing countries. The second model is developed to discuss the effects on the real economic variables of two different government deficit financing policies. The framework is an overlapping-generations monetary economy with population growth. Firstly, we analyse the effects of public deficit financing policy by injection of money into the economy at an exogenous constant rate and we emphasise the Mundell-Tobin (or non-superneutrality of money). Secondly, we extend the previous financing policy to include an endogenised money growth rate and we succeed in providing a powerful framework to explain the conditions under which dynamics of hyperinflation may arise. The novelty and importance of the findings are highlighted throughout the thesis

Monetary policy rules in the pre-EMU era: Is there a common rule?

Despite the great importance and final success of the convergence process that led to the establishment of the European Monetary Union, there is no clear agreement regarding the monetary policy pursued in the member countries during the convergence process. This paper contributes to the literature with an empirical analysis of the period from 1993 to 1998 that encompasses eleven EMU countries. In particular, Taylor type interest rate rules are estimated with monthly national data to find that, despite certain similarities and exceptions, the rule followed by each country is distinct and differs substantially from the standard Taylor rule. However, for most countries, the parameter estimates reflect the principles proclaimed by the monetary policy authorities and, in addition, it is shown that in most cases the estimated rules reproduce the policy setting quite closely. JEL Classification: E58, F41ERM, monetary policy, output gap, Taylor rule

Asset price misalignments and the role of money and credit

This paper contributes to the literature on the properties of money and credit indicators for detecting asset price misalignments. After a review of the evidence in the literature on this issue, the paper discusses the approaches that can be considered to detect asset price busts. Considering a sample of 17 OECD industrialised countries and the euro area over the period 1969 Q1 – 2008 Q3, we construct an asset price composite indicator which incorporates developments in both the stock price and house price markets and propose a criterion to identify the periods characterised by asset price busts, which has been applied in the currency crisis literature. The empirical analysis is based on a pooled probit-type approach with several macroeconomic monetary, financial and real variables. According to statistical tests, credit aggregates (either in terms of annual changes or growth gap), changes in nominal long-term interest rates and investment-to-GDP ratio combined with either house prices or stock prices dynamics turn out to be the best indicators which help to forecast asset price busts up to 8 quarters ahead. JEL Classification: E37, E44, E51asset price busts, asset prices, credit aggregates, financial crisis, House prices, monetary aggregates, probit models, stock prices

The Eurosystem, the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan: similarities and differences

The paper provides a systematic comparison of the Eurosystem, the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan. These monetary authorities exhibit somewhat different status and tasks, which reflect different historical conditions and national characteristics. However, widespread changes in central banking practices in the direction of greater independence and increased transparency, as well as changes in the economic and financial environment over the past 15-20 years, have contributed to reduce the differences among these three world’s principal monetary authorities. A comparison based on simple “over-the-counter” policy reaction functions shows no striking differences in terms of monetary policy implementation. JEL Classification: E40, E52, E58central banks and their policies, monetary policy, monetary policy committees

Long-run money demand in the new EU Member States with exchange rate effects

Generally speaking, money demand models represent a natural benchmark against which monetary developments can be assessed. In particular, the existence of a well-specified and stable relationship between money and prices can be perceived as a prerequisite for the use of monetary aggregates in the conduct of monetary policy. In this study a money demand analysis in the new Member States of the European Union (EU) is conducted using panel cointegration methods. A well-behaved long run money demand relationship can be identified only if the exchange rate as part of the opportunity cost is included. In the long-run cointegrating vector the income elasticity exceeds unity. Moreover, over the whole sample period the exchange rates vis-à-vis the US dollar turn out to be significant and a more appropriate variable in the money demand than the euro exchange rate. The present analysis is of importance for the new EU Member States as they are expected to join in the future years the euro area, where money is deemed to be highly relevant - within the two-pillar monetary strategy of the European Central Bank (ECB) - in order to detect risks to price stability over the medium term. JEL Classification: C23, E41, E52exchange rate, Money demand, new EU member states, Panel Cointegration