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The Debt-Inflation Channel of the German Hyperinflation

Author

Listed:
  • Markus K. Brunnermeier
  • Sergio A. Correia
  • Stephan Luck
  • Emil Verner
  • Tom Zimmermann

Abstract

This paper studies how a large increase in the price level is transmitted to the real economy through firm balance sheets. Using newly digitized macro- and micro-level data from the German inflation of 1919-1923, we show that inflation led to a large reduction in real debt burdens and bankruptcies. Firms with higher nominal liabilities at the onset of inflation experienced a larger decline in interest expenses, a relative increase in their equity values, and higher employment during the inflation. The results are consistent with real effects of a debt-inflation channel that operates even when prices and wages are flexible.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus K. Brunnermeier & Sergio A. Correia & Stephan Luck & Emil Verner & Tom Zimmermann, 2023. "The Debt-Inflation Channel of the German Hyperinflation," NBER Working Papers 31298, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31298
    Note: CF DAE EFG ME
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    Cited by:

    1. Berger, Allen N. & Bouwman, Christa H.S. & Norden, Lars & Roman, Raluca A. & Udell, Gregory F. & Wang, Teng, 2025. "Is a friend in need a friend indeed? How relationship borrowers fare during the COVID-19 crisis," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    2. Francesco Ferrante & Andrea Prestipino & Immo Schott, 2025. "Corporate Debt Maturity and Business Cycle Fluctuations," International Finance Discussion Papers 1409, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    3. Schnorpfeil, Philip & Weber, Michael & Hackethal, Andreas, 2023. "Households' response to the wealth effects of inflation," SAFE Working Paper Series 400, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    4. Albertazzi, Ugo & Hooft, James ’t & Ter Steege, Lucas, 2025. "The causal effect of inflation on financial stability, evidence from history," Working Paper Series 3108, European Central Bank.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • G0 - Financial Economics - - General
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • N2 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions

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