[PDF] Optimal Monetary Policy The Zero Bound And The Term Structure Of Interest Rates eBook

Author : Sven R. Skallsjö
Publisher :
Page : 47 pages
File Size : 24,35 MB
Release : 2004
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ISBN :

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The paper studies optimal monetary policy and its implication for the term structure of interest rates when the nominal short rate is bounded at zero. We state the monetary authority's optimization problem in continuous time according to two specifications, interest rate stabilization and interest rate smoothing. For the former the optimization problem is solved analytically, while numerical procedures are adopted for the latter. The paper then turns to study implications for the term structure of interest rates under risk-neutrality. Term structure equations are solved numerically and implications for yield curves and yield volatility curves are discussed. Data for a low-interest rate country like Japan for 1996-2003 exhibits s-shaped yield curves and yield volatility curves. According to our results this shape is consistent with a smoothing objective for the short rate.

Author : Ryō Katō
Publisher :
Page : 50 pages
File Size : 13,32 MB
Release : 2003
Category : Interest rates
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This paper characterizes the optimal monetary policy reaction function in the presence of a zero lower bound on the nominal interest rate. We analytically prove and numerically show that the function is highly nonlinear, more expansionary, and more aggressive than the Taylor rule. We then test its empirical validity taking the case of Japan in the 1990s. Qualitatively, we find some evidence of nonlinear monetary policy. Quantitatively, we find the actual monetary policy to be too contractionary during the first half of the decade, while the low interest policy during the latter half turns out to be fairly consistent with the simulated path.

Author : Ben S. Bernanke
Publisher : www.bnpublishing.com
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 20,72 MB
Release : 2009-03
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ISBN : 9781607961055

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The success over the years in reducing inflation and, consequently, the average level of nominal interest rates has increased the likelihood that the nominal policy interest rate may become constrained by the zero lower bound. When that happens, a central bank can no longer stimulate aggregate demand by further interest-rate reductions and must rely on "non-standard" policy alternatives. To assess the potential effectiveness of such policies, we analyze the behavior of selected asset prices over short periods surrounding central bank statements or other types of financial or economic news and estimate "noarbitrage" models of the term structure for the United States and Japan. There is some evidence that central bank communications can help to shape public expectations of future policy actions and that asset purchases in large volume by a central bank would be able to affect the price or yield of the targeted asset.

Author : Gauti B. Eggertsson
Publisher :
Page : 77 pages
File Size : 42,83 MB
Release : 2003
Category : Liquidity (Economics)
ISBN :

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We consider the consequences for monetary policy of the zero floor for nominal interest rates. The zero bound can be a significant constraint on the ability of a central bank to combat deflation. We show, in the context of an intertemporal equilibrium model, that open-market operations, even of unconventional' types, are ineffective if they do not change expectations about the future conduct of policy; in this sense, a liquidity trap' is possible. Nonetheless, a credible commitment to the right sort of history-dependent policy can largely mitigate the distortions created by the zero bound. In our model, optimal policy involves a commitment to adjust interest rates so as to achieve a time-varying price-level target, when this is consistent with the zero bound. We also discuss ways in which other central-bank actions, while irrelevant apart from their effects on expectations, may help to make credible a central bank's commitment to its target, and consider implications for the policy options currently available for overcoming deflation in Japan

Author : Anton Nakov
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 29,21 MB
Release : 2004
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I study how the zero bound on nominal interest rates affects optimal discretionary monetary policy within the standard New Keynesian framework. I find that the non-negativity constraint implies an optimal policy which is more expansionary and more aggressive near the zero bound compared to the optimal rule, which ignores this constraint. This "precautionary loosening" of monetary policy when the risk of deflation is high is required to offset the negative effect of private sector expectations on the current output gap and inflation. The effect is found to be quantitatively significant and to increase with the variance and persistence of the natural real interest rate.