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Calvo Contracts - Optimal Indexation in General Equilibrium

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Calvo contracts, which are the basis of the current generation of New Keynesian models, widely include indexation to general inflation. We argue that the indexing formula should be expected inflation rather than lagged inflation. This is likely to optimise the welfare of the representative agent in a general equilibrium model of the New Keynesian type. The economy's behaviour under rational indexation is similar to that of a New Classical model, with shocks producing an immediate fluctuation in both prices and output followed by a fairly rapid return to steady state. A monetary policy that targets the price level increases economic stability.

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  • Le, Vo Phuong Mai & Minford, Patrick, 2007. "Calvo Contracts - Optimal Indexation in General Equilibrium," Cardiff Economics Working Papers E2007/8, Cardiff University, Cardiff Business School, Economics Section, revised Oct 2008.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdf:wpaper:2007/8
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    2. Le, Vo Phuong Mai & Minford, Patrick, 2007. "Optimising indexation arrangements under Calvo contracts and their implications for monetary policy," Cardiff Economics Working Papers E2007/7, Cardiff University, Cardiff Business School, Economics Section.

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    JEL classification:

    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • F42 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Policy Coordination and Transmission
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System

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