The monetary policy literature has recently devoted considerable attention to Taylor-type rules, in which the interest rate set by the central bank depends on measures of inflation and aggregate output. We show that if policy-makers attempt to choose the optimal rule within a Taylor-type...

This paper investigates the precision of multivariate models of the output gap and considers their implications for the formulation of macroeconomic policy. Multivariate models identify the gap by including information from structural economic relationships, such as Okun's Law, the Phillips...

Monetary policy is sometimes formulated in terms of a target level of inflation, a fixed time horizon and a constant interest rate that is anticipated to achieve the target at the specified horizon. These requirements lead to constant interest rate (CIR) instrument rules. Using the standard New...

We evaluate the case for perfect price (inflation) stabilization in a New Keynesian (NNS) model that includes capital accumulation, a variety of shocks, a monetary and an imperfect competition distortion. In such a model, price rigidity may provide the monetary authorities with an opportunity to...

The one-sector neoclassical growth model (Solow, 1956,RES) can generate only simple dynamics. The dynamic properties of the Solow model follow from the saving behaviour and the neoclassical technology. As shown by Day (1982, AER), when average savings are allowed to vary, the discrete-time...

Several papers have documented how the reaction function of the U.S. monetary authority has been passive, and destabilising, before Volcker"s appointment, and active and stabilising since then. In this paper we first compare the two sub-periods in terms of several key business-cycle 'stylised...

This paper proposes a model of endogenous fluctuations in investment. A monopolistic producer has an incentive to invest when the aggregate demand is high. This causes a propagation of investment across sectors. When the investment follows an (S,s) policy, the propagation size can exhibit a...

An effective and easy-to-implement frequency filter is designed by convolving a Hamming window with the ideal rectangular filter response function. Three other filters, Hodrick-Prescott, Baxter-King, and Christiano-Fitzgerald, are critically reviewed. The behavior of the Hamming-windowed filter...

Using a sticky price-wage model with capital accumulation and adjustment costs, this paper analyses the welfare effects of non-fundamental asset price and investment fluctuations for the representative household. The welfare effect depends strongly on the steady state level around which the...

In this paper, we provide empirical evidence for some European countries, over the period 1963-2000, on whether business cycle affects convergence process or catching-up. To do so, we first evaluate beta-convergence. We find evidence in favour of this type of convergence for six countries...