Arbeitspapier
R-star: A new approach to estimate the polar star of monetary policy
The necessary adjustments to prominent measures of the neutral rate of interest following the COVID pandemic sparked a wide-ranging debate on the measurement and usefulness of r-star. Due to high uncertainty about relevant determinants, trend patterns and the correct estimation method, we propose in this paper a simple alternative approach derived from a standard macro model. Starting from a loss function, neutral periods can be determined in which a neutral real interest rate is observable. Using these values, a medium-term trend for a neutral interest rate can be determined. An application to the USA shows that our simple calculation of a neutral interest rate delivers comparable results to existing studies. A Taylor rule based on our neutral interest rate also does a fairly good job of explaining US monetary policy over the past 60 years.
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Series: Würzburg Economic Papers ; No. 106
- Classification
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Wirtschaft
- Subject
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Neutral rate of interest
equilibrium real interest rate
monetary policy rul
- Event
-
Geistige Schöpfung
- (who)
-
Bofinger, Peter
Haas, Thomas
- Event
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Veröffentlichung
- (who)
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University of Würzburg, Department of Economics
- (where)
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Würzburg
- (when)
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2023
- DOI
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doi:10.25972/OPUS-32739
- Handle
- URN
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urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-327394
- Last update
- 10.03.2025, 11:46 AM CET
Data provider
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Object type
- Arbeitspapier
Associated
- Bofinger, Peter
- Haas, Thomas
- University of Würzburg, Department of Economics
Time of origin
- 2023