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Monetary policy and rejections of the expectations hypothesis

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  • Ravenna, Federico
  • Seppälä, Juha

Abstract

We study the rejection of the expectations hypothesis within a New Keynesian business cycle model.Earlier research has shown that the Lucas general equilibrium asset pricing model can account for neither sign nor magnitude of average risk premia in forward prices, and is unable to explain rejection of the expectations hypothesis.We show that a New Keynesian model with habitformation preferences and a monetary policy feedback rule produces an upwardsloping average term structure of interest rates, procyclical interest rates, and countercyclical term spreads.In the model, as in U.S. data, inverted term structure predicts recessions.Most importantly, a New Keynesian model is able to account for rejections of the expectations hypothesis.Contrary to earlier work, we identify systematic monetary policy as a key factor behind this result.Rejection of the expectation hypothesis can be entirely explained by the volatility of just two real shocks which affect technology and preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Ravenna, Federico & Seppälä, Juha, 2006. "Monetary policy and rejections of the expectations hypothesis," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 25/2006, Bank of Finland.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:bofrdp:rdp2006_025
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    term structure of interest rates; monetary policy; sticky prices; habit formation; expectations hypothesis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • 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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