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Monetary policy, customer capital, and market power

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  • Morlacco, Monica
  • Zeke, David

Abstract

In U.S. firm-level data, large firms increase their spending on customer capital significantly more than small firms following an interest rate decline. We interpret this evidence in a model with product market frictions where heterogeneous firms strategically advertise to build a customer base. When a firm advertises, it shifts customers’ demand away from competitors. This externality is especially severe when firms have a sizable existing customer base, discouraging smaller competitors and making them less responsive to interest rate shocks. The model provides a rationale for the rise in market concentration and market power in recent decades, while interest rates fell.

Suggested Citation

  • Morlacco, Monica & Zeke, David, 2021. "Monetary policy, customer capital, and market power," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 116-134.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:moneco:v:121:y:2021:i:c:p:116-134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2021.04.010
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    1. Thomas Kroen & Ernest Liu & Atif Mian & Amir Sufi, 2021. "Falling Rates and Rising Superstars," Working Papers 2021-3, Princeton University. Economics Department..
    2. Rakshit, Bijoy & Bardhan, Samaresh, 2023. "Does bank competition affect the transmission mechanism of monetary policy through bank lending channel? Evidence from India," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    3. Gulnara Nolan & Jonathan Hambur & Philip Vermeulen, 2023. "Does Monetary Policy Affect Non-mining Business Investment in Australia? Evidence from BLADE," RBA Research Discussion Papers rdp2023-09, Reserve Bank of Australia.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Customer capital; Monetary policy; Industry concentration; Product market competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E40 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - General
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection

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