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The response of euro area sovereign spreads to the ECB unconventional monetary policies

Author

Listed:
  • Hans Dewachter

    (Economics and Research Department, NBB, University of Leuven, Center for Economic Studies and CESifo.)

  • Leonardo Iania

    (University of Louvain, Louvain School of Management.)

  • Jean-Charles Wijnandts

    (University of Louvain, Louvain School of Management.)

Abstract

We analyse variations in sovereign bond yields and spreads following unconventional monetary policy announcements by the European Central Bank. Using a two-country, arbitrage-free, shadow-rate dynamic term structure model (SR-DTSM), we decompose countries'yields into expectation and risk premium components. By means of an event study analysis, we show that the ECB's announcements reduced both the average expected instantaneous spread and risk repricing components of Italian and Spanish spreads. For countries such as Belgium and France, the ECB announcements impacted primarily the risk repricing component of the spread.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Dewachter & Leonardo Iania & Jean-Charles Wijnandts, 2016. "The response of euro area sovereign spreads to the ECB unconventional monetary policies," Working Paper Research 309, National Bank of Belgium.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbb:reswpp:201610-309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Richhild Moessner, 2018. "Effects of asset purchases and financial stability measures on term premia in the euro area," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(43), pages 4617-4631, September.
    2. Wojciech Grabowski & Ewa Stawasz-Grabowska, 2021. "How have the European central bank’s monetary policies been affecting financial markets in CEE-3 countries?," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(1), pages 43-83, March.
    3. B. De Backer & M. Deroose & Ch. Van Nieuwenhuyze, 2019. "Is a recession imminent? The signal of the yield curve," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue i, pages 69-93, June.
    4. Vedolin, Andrea & Leombroni, Matteo & , & Whelan, Paul, 2018. "Central Bank Communication and the Yield Curve," CEPR Discussion Papers 12970, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. J. Boeckx & M. de Sola Perea & M. Deroose & G. de Walque & Th. Lejeune & Ch. Van Nieuwenhuyse, 2018. "What will happen when interest rates go up?," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue iii, pages 35-56, september.
    6. van Holle, Frederiek, 2017. "Essays in empirical finance and monetary policy," Other publications TiSEM 30d11a4b-7bc9-4c81-ad24-5, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. Lemke, Wolfgang & Werner, Thomas, 2020. "Dissecting long-term Bund yields in the run-up to the ECB’s public sector purchase programme," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    8. Fanelli, Luca & Marsi, Antonio, 2022. "Sovereign spreads and unconventional monetary policy in the Euro area: A tale of three shocks," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    9. repec:nbb:ecrart:y:2017:m:september:i:iii:p:35-56 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Coroneo, Laura & Pastorello, Sergio, 2020. "European spreads at the interest rate lower bound," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    11. R. Wouters, 2016. "The transmission mechanism of new and traditional instruments of monetary and macroprudential policy," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue iii, pages 105-117, December.
    12. Luca Fanelli & Antonio Marsi, 2021. "Unconventional Monetary Policy in the Euro Area: A Tale of Three Shocks," Working Papers wp1164, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita' di Bologna.
    13. Berardi, Andrea, 2023. "Term premia and short rate expectations in the euro area," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • L5 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy

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