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
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Series: Würzburg Economic Papers ; No. 106

Classification
Wirtschaft
Subject
Neutral rate of interest
equilibrium real interest rate
monetary policy rul

Event
Geistige Schöpfung
(who)
Bofinger, Peter
Haas, Thomas
Event
Veröffentlichung
(who)
University of Würzburg, Department of Economics
(where)
Würzburg
(when)
2023

DOI
doi:10.25972/OPUS-32739
Handle
URN
urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-327394
Last update
10.03.2025, 11:46 AM CET

Data provider

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Object type

  • Arbeitspapier

Associated

  • Bofinger, Peter
  • Haas, Thomas
  • University of Würzburg, Department of Economics

Time of origin

  • 2023

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