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The Information Content of the Interest Rate and Optimal Monetary Policy

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  • Matthew B. Canzoneri
  • Dale W. Henderson
  • Kenneth S. Rogoff

Abstract

Optimal monetary policy rules are derived in a rational expectations cum contracting framework. Monetary policy is redundant if wage setters exploit the incomplete current information embodied in today's nominal interest rate. However, the monetary authorities can save wage setters the costs of “indexing†to the interest rate. A contemporaneous money supply feedback rule is as effective as wage indexation. A lagged rule, relevant under a regime of money supply targeting, is also as effective if investors use the interest rate. Both rules have the same implications for the real interest rate as Poole's combination policy. However, the two rules have strikingly different implications for the nominal interest rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew B. Canzoneri & Dale W. Henderson & Kenneth S. Rogoff, 1983. "The Information Content of the Interest Rate and Optimal Monetary Policy," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 98(4), pages 545-566.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:qjecon:v:98:y:1983:i:4:p:545-566.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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