In this paper we estimate the yield curve of U.S. government bonds using a Markov switching latent variable model. We show how measures such as the level, slope, and curvature of the yield curve are a¤ected by business cycle conditions. We present a switching latent model which not only seem to...

We study how competition from privately supplied currency substitutes a¤ects monetary policy. We focus on regimes where monetary policy must be sequentially optimal. We obtain that the workings of competition between currency and currency substitutes depend critically on government objectives....

We study the interaction of competition and reputation as e¢- ciency enhancing mechanisms in environments where informational or lack of commitment constraints a¤ect the ability of …rms to compete for market shares. We …rst analyze a dynamic model of monopolistic competition with...

This paper shows that state contingent debt can be syntethically constructed using non-contingent debt of di¤erent maturities. A main policy implication of this principle is that the complete markets Ramsey allocation can be sustained with non-contingent debt only, by properly managing its...

The relationship between devaluation and default risk is a central issue in the discussion of the costs and bene…ts of dollarizing emerging economies. Correct measures of these two unobserved variables are essential for assessing the welfare implications of dollarization. This paper studies...