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“Good” Inflation, “Bad” Inflation: Implications for Risky Asset Prices

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Abstract

Using inflation swap prices, we study how changes in expected inflation affect firm-level credit spreads and equity returns, and uncover evidence of a time-varying inflation sensitivity. In times of “good inflation,” when inflation news is perceived by investors to be more positively correlated with real economic growth, movements in expected inflation substantially reduce corporate credit spreads and raise equity valuations. Meanwhile in times of “bad inflation,” these effects are attenuated and the opposite can take place. These dynamics naturally arise in an equilibrium asset pricing model with a time-varying inflation-growth relationship and persistent macroeconomic expectations.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Bonelli & Berardino Palazzo & Ram S. Yamarthy, 2025. "“Good” Inflation, “Bad” Inflation: Implications for Risky Asset Prices," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2025-002, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2025-02
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2025.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inflation Sensitivity; Time Variation; Asset Prices; Stock-Bond Correlation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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