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The promises (and perils) of control-contingent forward guidance

Author

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  • He Nie

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Jordan Roulleau-Pasdeloup

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

We develop a model with control-contingent forward guidance: the central bank explicitly anchors future policy announcements to short run inflation. Even though the model features past promises, we compute a closed form solution using a simple Markov chain representation. This allows us to show analytically that control-contingent forward guidance can rid the model of sunspot liquidity traps. The same holds for a policy of price level targeting, which emerges as a special case. Finally, we leverage this new framework to formally show that announced interest rates are only a means to an end: what truly matters is expected inflation. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Suggested Citation

  • He Nie & Jordan Roulleau-Pasdeloup, 2023. "The promises (and perils) of control-contingent forward guidance," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 49, pages 77-98, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:issued:21-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.red.2022.07.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Zero lower bound; Forward guidance; Sunspot equilibria; Monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination

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