What Does "Below, but Close to, 2 Percent" Mean? Assessing the ECB's Reaction Function with Real-Time Data

B-Tier
Journal: International Journal of Central Banking
Year: 2021
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 125-169

Authors (4)

Maritta Paloviita (not in RePEc) Markus Haavio (not in RePEc) Pirkka Jalasjoki (not in RePEc) Juha Kilponen (Suomen Pankki)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Using unique real-time quarterly macroeconomic projections of the Eurosystem/ECB staff, we estimate competing specifications of the ECB's monetary policy reaction function. We consider specifications which include inflation and output growth projections, a past inflation gap, a time-varying natural real interest rate, and different inflation targets. Our first key finding is that the de facto inflation target of the ECB lies between 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent. Our second key finding is that the ECB reacts both to short-term macroeconomic projections and to past deviations of inflation from its de facto target.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ijc:ijcjou:y:2021:q:2:a:4
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25