IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jjrfmx/v18y2025i4p191-d1626325.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Who Is Leading in Communication Tone? Wavelet Analysis of the Fed and the ECB

Author

Listed:
  • Pinar Deniz

    (Department of Economics, Marmara University, Istanbul 34854, Türkiye
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Thanasis Stengos

    (Department of Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the communication tone of the Fed and that of the ECB over the period from January 2000 to September 2023. The tones were measured using both lexicon-based and transform-based algorithms. Wavelet coherence analysis helped distinguish the scale of the relationship over time and frequency domains. Our findings suggest a dynamic process regarding the lead/lag positions, and the similarity of the two algorithms in the medium run highlights the leading role of the ECB during the (pre-)crisis period of the US and the leading role of the Fed during the QE period of the ECB. Hence, the variability in the leader/follower role suggests no strong predictive structural relationship between the two communication tones.

Suggested Citation

  • Pinar Deniz & Thanasis Stengos, 2025. "Who Is Leading in Communication Tone? Wavelet Analysis of the Fed and the ECB," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:191-:d:1626325
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/18/4/191/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/18/4/191/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Burdekin, Richard C. K., 1989. "International transmission of US macroeconomic policy and the inflation record of Western Europe," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 401-423, September.
    2. Picault, Matthieu & Renault, Thomas, 2017. "Words are not all created equal: A new measure of ECB communication," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 136-156.
    3. Ullrich, Katrin, 2008. "Inflation expectations of experts and ECB communication," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 93-108, March.
    4. Sylvester Eijffinger, 2008. "How much inevitable US-Euro Area interdependence is there in monetary policy?," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 43(6), pages 341-348, November.
    5. Frederic S. Mishkin, 2005. "The Fed after Greenspan," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 31(3), pages 317-332, Summer.
    6. Christina D. Romer & David H. Romer, 1989. "Does Monetary Policy Matter? A New Test in the Spirit of Friedman and Schwartz," NBER Chapters, in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 1989, Volume 4, pages 121-184, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Ansgar Belke & Daniel Gros, 2005. "Asymmetries in Transatlantic Monetary Policy‐making: Does the ECB Follow the Fed?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 921-946, December.
    8. Arina Wischnewsky & David‐Jan Jansen & Matthias Neuenkirch, 2021. "Financial stability and the Fed: Evidence from congressional hearings," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(3), pages 1192-1214, July.
    9. Pappa, Evi, 2004. "Do the ECB and the fed really need to cooperate? Optimal monetary policy in a two-country world," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 753-779, May.
    10. Parle, Conor, 2022. "The financial market impact of ECB monetary policy press conferences — A text based approach," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Vukovic, Darko B. & Lapshina, Kseniya A. & Maiti, Moinak, 2021. "Wavelet coherence analysis of returns, volatility and interdependence of the US and the EU money markets: Pre & post crisis," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    12. Michael B. Devereux & Charles Engel, 2003. "Monetary Policy in the Open Economy Revisited: Price Setting and Exchange-Rate Flexibility," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(4), pages 765-783.
    13. Eric T. Swanson, 2023. "The Importance of Fed Chair Speeches as a Monetary Policy Tool," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 113, pages 394-400, May.
    14. Gertler, Pavel & Horvath, Roman, 2018. "Central bank communication and financial markets: New high-frequency evidence," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 336-345.
    15. Szyszko, Magdalena & Rutkowska, Aleksandra & Kliber, Agata, 2022. "Do words affect expectations? The effect of central banks communication on consumer inflation expectations," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 221-229.
    16. Batten, Dallas S & Ott, Mack, 1985. "The Interrelationship of Monetary Policies under Floating Exchange Rates: A Note," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 17(1), pages 103-110, February.
    17. Laskar, Daniel, 1986. "International cooperation and exchange rate stabilization," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(1-2), pages 151-164, August.
    18. Anastasiou, Dimitris & Krokida, Styliani-Iris & Tsouknidis, Dimitris & Drakos, Konstantinos, 2023. "Can the tone of central bankers’ speeches discourage potential bank borrowers in the Eurozone?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    19. Hayo, Bernd & Zahner, Johannes, 2023. "What is that noise? Analysing sentiment-based variation in central bank communication," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    20. Apel Mikael & Grimaldi Marianna Blix, 2014. "How Informative Are Central Bank Minutes?," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 65(1), pages 53-76, April.
    21. 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).
    22. Canzoneri, Matthew B & Gray, Jo Anna, 1985. "Monetary Policy Games and the Consequences of Non-cooperative Behavior," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 26(3), pages 547-564, October.
    23. Bjerkander, Lena & Glas, Alexander, 2024. "Talking in a language that everyone can understand? Clarity of speeches by the ECB Executive Board," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    24. El-Shagi, Makram & Jung, Alexander, 2015. "Does the Greenspan era provide evidence on leadership in the FOMC?," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 173-190.
    25. Justyna Klejdysz & Robin L. Lumsdaine, 2023. "Shifts in ECB Communication: A Textual Analysis of the Press Conference," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 19(2), pages 473-542, June.
    26. Kaminskas, Rokas & Jurkšas, Linas, 2024. "ECB communication sentiments: How do they relate to the economic environment and financial markets?," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    27. Jansen, David-Jan & de Haan, Jakob, 2007. "Were verbal efforts to support the euro effective? A high-frequency analysis of ECB statements," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 245-259, March.
    28. Matthieu Picault & Thomas Renault, 2017. "Words are not all created equal: A new measure of ECB communication," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-03205121, HAL.
    29. Yu, Zhen & Liu, Wei & Yang, Fuyu, 2023. "A central bankers’ sentiment index of global financial cycle," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    30. Hamza Bennani & Matthias Neuenkirch, 2017. "The (home) bias of European central bankers: new evidence based on speeches," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(11), pages 1114-1131, March.
    31. Adam Hale Shapiro & Daniel J Wilson, 2022. "Taking the Fed at its Word: A New Approach to Estimating Central Bank Objectives using Text Analysis," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(5), pages 2768-2805.
    32. Möller, Rouven & Reichmann, Doron, 2021. "ECB language and stock returns – A textual analysis of ECB press conferences," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 590-604.
    33. Ferrara, Federico Maria & Angino, Siria, 2022. "Does clarity make central banks more engaging? Lessons from ECB communications," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    34. Bohl, Martin T. & Kanelis, Dimitrios & Siklos, Pierre L., 2023. "Central bank mandates: How differences can influence the content and tone of central bank communication," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    35. Hamza Bennani & Matthias Neuenkirch, 2017. "The (home) bias of European central bankers: new evidence based on speeches," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(11), pages 1114-1131, March.
    36. Hüpper, Florian & Kempa, Bernd, 2023. "Inflation targeting and inflation communication of the Federal Reserve: Words and deeds," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mikael Apel & Marianna Blix Grimaldi & Isaiah Hull, 2022. "How Much Information Do Monetary Policy Committees Disclose? Evidence from the FOMC's Minutes and Transcripts," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 54(5), pages 1459-1490, August.
    2. Feldkircher, Martin & Hofmarcher, Paul & Siklos, Pierre L., 2024. "One money, one voice? Evaluating ideological positions of euro area central banks," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Baranowski, Paweł & Doryń, Wirginia & Łyziak, Tomasz & Stanisławska, Ewa, 2021. "Words and deeds in managing expectations: Empirical evidence from an inflation targeting economy," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 49-67.
    4. Baranowski, Pawel & Bennani, Hamza & Doryń, Wirginia, 2021. "Do the ECB's introductory statements help predict monetary policy? Evidence from a tone analysis," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    5. Niţoi, Mihai & Pochea, Maria-Miruna & Radu, Ştefan-Constantin, 2023. "Unveiling the sentiment behind central bank narratives: A novel deep learning index," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    6. Jonne Lehtimäki & Marianne Palmu, 2022. "Who Should You Listen to in a Crisis? Differences in Communication of Central Bank Policymakers," Journal of Central Banking Theory and Practice, Central bank of Montenegro, vol. 11(3), pages 33-57.
    7. Martin Baumgaertner & Johannes Zahner, 2021. "Whatever it takes to understand a central banker - Embedding their words using neural networks," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202130, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    8. Johannes Zahner, 2020. "Above, but close to two percent. Evidence on the ECB’s inflation target using text mining," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202046, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    9. Bennani, Hamza & Fanta, Nicolas & Gertler, Pavel & Horvath, Roman, 2020. "Does central bank communication signal future monetary policy in a (post)-crisis era? The case of the ECB," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    10. Parle, Conor, 2022. "The financial market impact of ECB monetary policy press conferences — A text based approach," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Bohl, Martin T. & Kanelis, Dimitrios & Siklos, Pierre L., 2023. "Central bank mandates: How differences can influence the content and tone of central bank communication," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    12. Dimitrios Kanelis & Pierre L. Siklos, 2022. "Emotion in Euro Area Monetary Policy Communication and Bond Yields: The Draghi Era," CQE Working Papers 10322, Center for Quantitative Economics (CQE), University of Muenster.
    13. Aleksandra Rutkowska & Magdalena Szyszko, 2024. "Dictionary-based sentiment analysis of monetary policy communication: on the applicability of lexicons," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(6), pages 5421-5444, December.
    14. Dimitrios Kanelis & Pierre L. Siklos, 2025. "The ECB press conference statement: deriving a new sentiment indicator for the euro area," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 652-664, January.
    15. Youngjoon Lee & Soohyon Kim & Ki Young Park, 2018. "Deciphering Monetary Policy Committee Minutes with Text Mining Approach: A Case of South Korea," Working papers 2018rwp-132, Yonsei University, Yonsei Economics Research Institute.
    16. Magdalena Szyszko & Agata Kliber & Aleksandra Rutkowska & Mariusz Próchniak, 2024. "Central bank communication and expectations: Evidence for inflation‐targeting economies," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 1316-1340, August.
    17. Picault, Matthieu & Pinter, Julien & Renault, Thomas, 2022. "Media sentiment on monetary policy: Determinants and relevance for inflation expectations," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    18. Agata Kliber & Magdalena Szyszko & Mariusz Próchniak & Aleksandra Rutkowska, 2023. "Impact of uncertainty on inflation forecast errors in Central and Eastern European countries," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 13(3), pages 535-574, December.
    19. 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).
    20. Yin Germaschewski & Jaroslav Horvath & Jiansheng Zhong, 2022. "Oral interventions in the foreign exchange market: evidence from Australia," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 62(6), pages 2713-2737, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:191-:d:1626325. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.