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Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises

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  • Smales, L.A.
  • Apergis, N.

Abstract

Monetary policy announcements have a significant impact on financial market liquidity. This study provides a novel perspective on the factors driving this relationship in the market for 10-year Treasury note futures: Target rate surprises and the complexity of the monetary policy statement language are important determinants. Differences of opinion resulting from interpretation of complex language appear to result in more trading volume despite relatively low levels of liquidity (a negative liquidity-volume relationship), while large target rate surprises reduce trading activity (a positive liquidity-volume relationship). The dynamic changes over time, as unconventional polices are adopted by monetary authorities and, high frequency traders become more pervasive. Central bankers may aid market liquidity by minimizing surprises, and issuing statements that are easier to understand (with shorter sentences and more familiar words).

Suggested Citation

  • Smales, L.A. & Apergis, N., 2017. "Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 33-50.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:80:y:2017:i:c:p:33-50
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2017.03.017
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    3. Smales, L.A., 2019. "Slopes, spreads, and depth: Monetary policy announcements and liquidity provision in the energy futures market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 234-252.
    4. Doojin Ryu & Robert I. Webb & Jinyoung Yu, 2023. "Who pays the liquidity cost? Central bank announcements and adverse selection," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 904-924, July.
    5. Ryu, Doojin & Webb, Robert I. & Yu, Jinyoung, 2022. "Foreign institutions and the behavior of liquidity following macroeconomic announcements," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    6. Hayo, Bernd & Henseler, Kai & Steffen Rapp, Marc & Zahner, Johannes, 2022. "Complexity of ECB communication and financial market trading," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    7. Smales, L.A. & Lucey, B.M., 2019. "The influence of investor sentiment on the monetary policy announcement liquidity response in precious metal markets," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 19-38.
    8. Markus Heckel & Kiyohiko G. Nishimura, 2020. "Unconventional Monetary Policy through Open Market Operations: A Principal Component Analysis," CARF F-Series CARF-F-501, Center for Advanced Research in Finance, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo.
    9. Martin Baumgaertner, 2022. "Financial Markets and ECB Monetary Policy Communication – A Second QE Surprise," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202203, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    10. Smales, L.A. & Apergis, N., 2017. "Does more complex language in FOMC decisions impact financial markets?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 171-189.
    11. Yu, Zhen & Liu, Wei & Yang, Fuyu, 2023. "A central bankers’ sentiment index of global financial cycle," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    12. Aromi, J. Daniel & Clements, Adam, 2021. "Facial expressions and the business cycle," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Monetary policy decisions; Financial markets; Federal Reserve; Linguistic complexity; FOMC statements; 10-year Treasury note futures;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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