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ECB communication policies: An overview and comparison with the Federal Reserve

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  • de Haan, Jakob
  • Hoogduin, Lex

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of (research on) the communication policies of the ECB. We first compare the communication policies of the ECB and the Fed. Despite many similarities, there are also some differences which in part reflect that both central banks have different objectives. This became more pronounced after both central banks had concluded their monetary policy strategy reviews. Thereafter, we zoom in on forward guidance and discuss recent research on the impact of the ECB’s communications, and recent changes therein as a result of the ECB’s monetary policy strategy review. It is concluded that this review was to a large extent a confirmation of the actual change in the ECB strategy. Due to the rapid increase in inflation that started after the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic, the review was quickly outdated.

Suggested Citation

  • de Haan, Jakob & Hoogduin, Lex, 2024. "ECB communication policies: An overview and comparison with the Federal Reserve," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:142:y:2024:i:c:s0261560624000378
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2024.103050
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    Cited by:

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    5. Wang, Yanning & Wang, Xichen, 2024. "The role of central bank communication in the long-term stock-bond correlations: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    6. Jung, Alexander & Mongelli, Francesco Paolo, 2025. "Central bank communication with non-experts: insights from a randomized field experiment," Working Paper Series 3103, European Central Bank.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Systems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General
    • 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
    • E71 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on the Macro Economy

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