1. Chapter 9: Monetary Policy in the Eurozone
De Grauwe:
Economics of Monetary Union

2. Monetary policy when asymmetric shocks occur
In an optimum currency area few asymmetric shocks occur
ECB has a relatively easy time to stabilize shocks
There are few conflicts between member-states and the ECB

3. The ECB and asymmetric shocks: policy paralysis
France
Germany PF PG SG SF DG DF YF YG

4. stabilisation is possible
The ECB and symmetric shocks:
stabilisation is possible
France
Germany PF PG YF YG

5. Have asymmetric shocks been important in the operation of the Eurosystem since 1999?
Figure 9.4: Growth of real GDP in the Eurozone
2003
2005
Wide range of experiences

6. Figure 9.5: Inflation in the Eurozone

7. Output gap is a good measures of the business cycle position of countries
Output growth differences also reflect permanent asymmetric shocks (e.g. productivity growth differences
A measure of temporary shocks (business cycle) is provided by the output gap
We observe large differences
These differences in inflation and output gap experiences lead to different desired interest rates of different countries
We can measure these different desired interest rates using the Taylor rule
Output gaps in the Eurozone in 2005 (%)

8. Wide range of desired interest rates in 2003 (Germany desired interest rate of 1.22%, Ireland desired interest rate of 7.9%
ECB computes average desired interest rate
Many countries are likely to be less than enthusiastic about the interest rate decisions of the ECB

9. Asymmetric shocks and housing prices
Large inflation differences within Eurozone
Combined with the same nominal interest rate in the Eurozone
Create large differences in real interest rates

10. Large differences in real interest rates in Eurozone
Figure B17.1: Average real interest rates in Eurozone countries (1997–2005)

11. Create large differences in house price inflation
Figure B17.2: House price indices (% change over 1997–2006)

12. Figure B17.3: Real interest rate and house prices (% change) 1998–2005

13. The Monetary Policy Strategy of the ECB: a description
Monetary Policy Strategy (MPS) of ECB consists of two parts:
A definition of the objectives
The instruments to achieve these objectives

14. The objectives
The Governing Council of the ECB has adopted the following definition:
‘price stability shall be defined as a year-on-year increase in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for the euro area of below 2%’
Thus target range of inflation is 0% to 2%
However, recent ‘clarification’: “inflation should remain below but close to 2%
‘Medium run’ objective
The ECB does not define what the ‘medium run’ is
No mention of other objectives

15. The instruments Two pillars
First pillar: Money stock is reference value
M3 reference value: 4.5%
implicit model:
m + v = p + y
m + v = p + y
m = p* + yf - vf
Same procedure of Bundesbank

16. The second pillar Second pillar Other reference values Wages
Energy prices
Exchange rate
Yield curve
Possibly other variables

17. The Monetary Policy Strategy of the ECB: an evaluation
The selection of the target
Is inflation target of at most 2% too low?
Two-pillar strategy

18. Selection of the target
In interpreting its mandate ECB has been influenced by the theory of flexible inflation targeting as developed by Svensson (1996, 2000)
The central claim made by this theory is that by stabilizing the price level, the central bank also stabilizes the output level
In this view there is no need to target output explicitly
Not consistent with mandate set out in Maastricht Treaty

19. Shocks in aggregate demand and supply
Demand shock
Supply shock
AS’ AS AS
Price level
Price level
AD’ AD AD
Normal Output
Output
Normal Output
Output

20. When demand shocks occur, inflation targeting stabilizes prices and output
Not so when supply shocks occur; in this case there is trade-off between output and inflation stabilization
ECB has made clear that when such a trade-off occur it will choose for inflation stabilization
Even then gradualism can be applied

21. Is the inflation target of at most 2% too low? Answer : Yes
Rapid technological progress changes the conventional measures of inflation
The true inflation rate is overestimated by 0.5% to 1.5% a year (quality bias)
Some inflation is good for the economy
It works as a lubricant and allows for more flexible adjustments in real wages
Argument is based on money illusion

22. 3. Large differences in inflation together with low target pushes inflation in some countries close to zero, possibly below zero

23. Conclusion on objectives
2% maximum inflation rate is too low
The idea of setting a maximum rate is not a good one
The economy is subjected to shocks
A precise control of the rate of inflation is very difficult
Setting a maximum rate creates an issue of credibility

24. Inflation in Eurozone

25. A different target is necessary
ECB should redefine its target to be a number between 2 to 3%
Then it should allow some flexibility around this new target in a symmetric way
This is the approach taken by the Bank of England (target = 2.5%, with some leeway above and below it)

26. Excessive reliance on the money stock?
Is money targeting passé?
Measuring the money stock in a world of financial innovation
Volatility of velocity in new monetary regime
Money stock often gives wrong signals especially in low inflation environment (see next slide)
Since May 2003 the ECB has reduced the prominence it gives to the money stock
Monetary analysis remains important

28. Inflation targeting: a model for the ECB?
Instrument Intermediate target Ultimate target
MS-targeting
Interest rate
Money stock
Inflation
Inflation forecast
Inflation
Inflation-targeting
Interest rate
Inflation targeting is superior to money stock targeting (see Svensson (1998))
The reason is that with inflation targeting the central bank uses information of all the variables (including the money stock) that will affect future inflation
The inflation forecast is then the best possible intermediate target

29. The instruments of monetary policy in Euroland
Three types of instruments:
Open market operations
Standing facilities (credit lines)
Minimum reserve

30. 1. Open market operations
Buying and selling of securities with the aim of increasing or reducing money market liquidity
ECB uses system of tenders, called main refinancing operations
Governing Council sets the interest rate that will be applied in the main refinancing operations

31. ECB Financing rate

32. The ECB then announces a tender procedure
This can be a fixed rate or a variable rate tender
If a fixed rate tender, the interest rate chosen by the Governing Council is fixed at which financial institutions can make bids
These bids are collected by the NCBs and centralized by the ECB
The ECB decides about the total amount to be allotted, and distributes this to the bidding parties pro rata of the size of the bids
ECB now only uses variable rate tenders

33. Table 8.3: Hypothetical example of variable rate tender (million euros)
Interest rate
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
Total bids
Cumulative
(%)
bids
3.07
3.06 5 10
3.05 20
3.04 30
3.03 50
3.02 15 80
3.01 35
115
3.00
130
2.99
145
Total 45 70
Source: EMI ,
The Single Monetary Policy in Stage Three
, 1997

34. Assume that the minimum bid rate set by the Governing Council is 3%
Three cases:
First, ECB decides to allot 80 million Euros, then all bids of 3.02% and more are satisfied
The minimum bid rate does not bind
Second, ECB decides to allot 150 million.
The minimum bid rate is binding. All bids of 3% and more are accepted (130)
The allotted amount of liquidity (150) is not exhausted

35. Third, ECB decides to allot 120
There is unsatisfied bidding at the minimum bid rate of 3%
All bids at 3.01% and more are accepted, and each bank is allotted 1/3 (5/15) of the amounts they bid at the minimum rate

36. In sum…
Open market operations are the main tools for the ECB to affect monetary conditions
By increasing or reducing the interest rate on its main financing operations it affects the market interest rates
In addition, by changing the size of the allotments it affects the amount of liquidity directly

37. 2. Standing facilities
These facilities aim to provide and absorb overnight liquidity
Banks can use the marginal lending facility to obtain overnight liquidity from the NCBs
The Governing Council fixes the marginal lending rate (1% above the interest rate used in the main financing facility)
No borrowing limit, provided collateral
The marginal lending rate acts as a ceiling for the overnight market interest rate

38. Banks can use the deposit facility to make overnight deposits
The Governing Council fixes the interest rate on the deposit facility (1% below the interest rate used in the main financing facility)
This interest rate acts as a floor for the overnight market interest rate

39. 3. Minimum reserves
By manipulating reserve requirements the ECB can affect money market conditions
ECB remunerates the minimum reserves
The ECB uses the minimum reserve requirements as an instrument to smooth short term interest rates

40. Conclusion ECB has quite a large range of instruments at its disposal
As money markets in Euroland integrate further, the interventions in the money markets will increasingly be centralized