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ECB's evolving communication and policy preferences since 2021 strategy review

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  • Haavio, Markus
  • Heikkinen, Joni
  • Jalasjoki, Pirkka
  • Kilponen, Juha
  • Paloviita, Maritta

Abstract

We study the evolution of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy since July 2021, following the adoption of a new strategy and amid a period of volatile inflation. Utilizing text analysis, we assess changes in the general sentiment of the ECB's communication. Additionally, we employ topic modeling to develop an inflation focused tone index. By integrating these tone indices with real-time data from monetary policy meetings, we directly estimate the ECB's loss function. Our findings indicate a recent shift towards a more inflation-centered communication approach by the ECB. Preliminary results also suggest that the ECB's policy preferences have become more symmetric since July 2021.

Suggested Citation

  • Haavio, Markus & Heikkinen, Joni & Jalasjoki, Pirkka & Kilponen, Juha & Paloviita, Maritta, 2025. "ECB's evolving communication and policy preferences since 2021 strategy review," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 3/2025, Bank of Finland.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:bofrdp:313643
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Tillmann, Peter & Walter, Andreas, 2019. "The effect of diverging communication: The case of the ECB and the Bundesbank," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 68-74.
    3. 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.
    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. 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.
    6. Haavio, Markus & Heikkinen, Joni & Jalasjoki, Pirkka & Kilponen, Juha & Paloviita, Maritta & Vänni, Ilona, 2024. "Reading between the lines: Uncovering asymmetry in the central bank loss function," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 6/2024, Bank of Finland.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    asymmetric loss function; central bank communication; textual analysis; topic model; optimal monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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