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Sticky Price Models and Durable Goods

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Barsky

    (University of Michigan)

  • Christopher L. House

    (University of Michigan)

  • Miles Kimball

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

This paper shows that there are striking implications that stem from including durable goods in otherwise conventional sticky price models. The behavior of these models depends heavily on whether durable goods are present and whether these goods have sticky prices. If long-lived durables have sticky prices, then even small durables sectors can cause the model to behave as though most prices were sticky. Conversely, if durable goods prices are flexible then the model exhibits unwelcome behavior. Flexibly priced durables contract during periods of economic expansion. The tendency towards negative comovement is very robust and can be so strong as to dominate the aggregate behavior of the model. In an instructive limiting case, money has no effects on aggregate output even though most prices in the model are sticky.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Barsky & Christopher L. House & Miles Kimball, 2005. "Sticky Price Models and Durable Goods," Macroeconomics 0501031, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0501031
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 41
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sticky prices; Durables; Comovement; Neutrality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E30 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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