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Permanent income hypothesis and variability of consumption

Author

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  • Timo Koivumäki

    (Department of Economics, University of Oulu)

Abstract

This paper investigates the variability of Finnish consumption with a purpose to determine whether traditional permanent income hypothesis is consistent with Finnish consumption data, or is consumption excessively smooth as suggested in recent empirical studies. A spectral density based measure is used to determine the variability ratios for nondurables consumption and durables expenditures. Results show strong excess smoothness in durables expenditures, and slight excess smoothness in nondurables consumption. The issue of excess smoothness is also approached using cross spectral analysis. The role of features such as liquidity constraints, uncertainty and irreversibility of durables stock in causing excess smoothness is discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Timo Koivumäki, 1996. "Permanent income hypothesis and variability of consumption," Finnish Economic Papers, Finnish Economic Association, vol. 9(2), pages 144-154, Autumn.
    • Handle: RePEc:fep:journl:v:9:y:1996:i:2:p:144-154
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gali, Jordi, 1991. "Budget Constraints and Time-Series Evidence on Consumption," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 81(5), pages 1238-1253, December.
    2. Gali, Jordi, 1993. "Variability of Durable and Nondurable Consumption: Evidence for Six O.E.C.D. Countries," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 75(3), pages 418-428, August.
    3. West, Kenneth D., 1988. "The insensitivity of consumption to news about income," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 17-33, January.
    4. Flavin, Marjorie A, 1981. "The Adjustment of Consumption to Changing Expectations about Future Income," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(5), pages 974-1009, October.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • C4 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics

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