This paper examines the implications of the expectations theory of the term structure for the implementation of inflation targeting. We show that the responsiveness of the central bank's instrument to the underlying state of the economy is increasing in the duration of the long-term bond. On the other hand, an increase in duration will make long-term inflationary expectations and therefore also the long-term nominal interest rate less responsive to the state of the economy. The extent to which the central bank cares about output stabilization will exert a moderating influence on the central bank's response to the current indicators of future inflation. However, the effect of an increase in this parameter on the long-term nominal interest rate turns out to be ambiguous. Next, we show that both the sensitivity of the nominal term spread to economic fundamentals and the extent to which the spread predicts future output are increasing in the duration of the long bond and the degree of structural output persistence. However, if the central bank becomes relatively less concerned about inflation stabilization the term spread will be less successful in predicting real economic activity.
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Paper provided by C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers in its series CEPR Discussion Papers with number
2375.
Find related papers by JEL classification: E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Determination of Interest Rates; Term Structure of Interest Rates 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
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John Driffill & Zeno Rotondi, 2007.
"Inertia in Taylor Rules,"
WEF Working Papers
0032, ESRC World Economy and Finance Research Programme, Birkbeck, University of London.
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Tesfaselassie, M.F. & Schaling, E. & Eijffinger, S.C.W., 2006.
"Learning About the Term Structure and Optimal Rules for Inflation Targeting,"
Research Paper
ERS-2006-058-F&A Revision, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus Uni.
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