Both the optimal inflation target and the optimal degree of output stabilization are found to be conditional on the prevailing wage bargaining structure. If monopolistic wage setters act as strategic leaders of the monetary policy game, an explicit inflation targeting regime removes inflation...

We estimate the ECB's monetary policy reaction function by using real time Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projection data, which are presented to the ECB's Governing Council when it assesses the monetary policy stance in the euro area. Alternative specifications of the reaction function...

We measure the tone (sentiment) of the ECB's Governing Council regarding economic outlook at the time of each monetary policy meeting and use this information together with the Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projections to directly estimate the Governing Council's loss function. Our results...