This paper investigates in a consistent semi-structural empirical framework three current issues of monetary policy in the euro area. First, regarding policy transmission we offer a three-stage procedure to combine the efficient estimation of economic structure prior to EMU with current ECB...

In this paper, we analyze the determinants of US monetary policy stance as expressed in speeches by Federal Reserve (Fed) officials over the period January 1998–September 2009. Econometrically, we use a probit model with regional and national macroeconomic variables to explain the content of...

We examine how Bank of Canada communications and media reporting on them impacts Canadian bond and stock market returns. Official communications exert a relatively larger influence on the bond market, whereas media coverage is more relevant for the stock market.

We analyze the influence of US monetary policy on commodity price volatility. Expected target rate changes and communications decrease volatility, whereas target rate surprises and unorthodox measures increase it. The “calming” effect of communication is reduced during the financial crisis.

This paper studies monetary policy committee transparency (MPCT) based on a new index that measures central bankers’ educational and professional backgrounds as disclosed through central bank websites. Based on a novel cross-sectional data set covering 75 central banks, we investigate the...

This paper studies the effects of Federal Reserve communications on US financial market returns from 1998 to 2009 and asks whether they changed significantly during the global financial crisis of August 2007–July 2009. We find, first, that central bank communication moves financial markets in...