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Should the government increase investment in infrastructure improvements when interest rates decline?

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua R Hendrickson

    (University of Mississippi)

Abstract

During recessions, the real interest rate declines and therefore a number of public investment projects might meet the net present value criteria. It has been argued that the government should increase public investment during these times. This paper begins with the assumption that the projects that the government would undertake in these situations are likely to be infrastructure improvement projects. This paper then uses the option theory of investment to determine the criteria for investment. In particular, the government solves an optimal stopping problem. The paper shows that if the government uses the real interest rate to discount the future, the effect of falling real interest rates on investment thresholds is ambiguous. It is therefore not obvious that the government should increase public investment when the real interest rate declines.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua R Hendrickson, 2015. "Should the government increase investment in infrastructure improvements when interest rates decline?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 35(3), pages 1687-1692.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-15-00521
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. David Andolfatto, 2012. "Liquidity shocks, real interest rates, and global imbalances," Review, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, vol. 94(May), pages 187-196.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    optimal stopping time; public infrastructure; government spending; interest rates;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H5 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies

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