The Neutral Interest Rate: Past, Present and Future Staff Discussion Paper 2024-3 Matteo Cacciatore, Bruno Feunou, Galip Kemal Ozhan The decline in safe real interest rates over the past three decades has reignited discussions on the neutral real interest rate, known as R*. We address the determinants and estimation methods of R*, as well as the factors influencing its decline and its future trajectory. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff discussion papers Research Topic(s): Interest rates, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E4, E43, E5, E52, E6, E62
December 21, 2023 How higher interest rates affect inflation When the Bank of Canada changes its policy interest rate, it affects every part of the economy – but that does not happen all at once. Learn more about how raising and lowering interest rates takes effect through the monetary policy transmission mechanism. Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Research Topic(s): Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Interest rates, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Monetary policy transmission
September 7, 2023 Staying the course Speech summary Tiff Macklem Calgary Chamber of Commerce Calgary, Alberta Speaking a day after we decided to maintain the policy interest rate at 5%, Governor Tiff Macklem explores some key factors behind the decision. He also explains why the 2% inflation target supports a stable economy and greater prosperity for households and businesses. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Speech summaries Research Topic(s): Credibility, Domestic demand and components, Expectations, Firm dynamics, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Inflation: costs and benefits, Labour markets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Monetary policy transmission, Price stability, Recent economic and financial developments
September 7, 2023 Economic progress report: Target in sight, but we’re not there yet Remarks Tiff Macklem Calgary Chamber of Commerce Calgary, Alberta Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem talks about the Bank’s latest interest rate announcement and what’s happening with inflation beyond the headline numbers. He also discusses why the Bank’s 2% inflation target is the right one. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Research Topic(s): Credibility, Domestic demand and components, Expectations, Firm dynamics, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Inflation: costs and benefits, Labour markets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Monetary policy transmission, Price stability, Recent economic and financial developments
Gazing at r-star: A Hysteresis Perspective Staff Working Paper 2023-5 Paul Beaudry, Katya Kartashova, Césaire Meh Many explanations for the decline in real interest rates over the last 30 years point to the role that population aging or rising income inequality plays in increasing the long-run aggregate demand for assets. Notwithstanding the importance of such factors, the starting point of this paper is to show that the major change driving household asset demand over this period is instead an increased desire—for a given age and income level—to hold assets. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Research Topic(s): Economic models, Fiscal policy, Inflation and prices, Inflation targets, Interest rates, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): E, E2, E21, E3, E31, E4, E43, E5, E52, E58, E6, E62, G, G5, G51, H, H6
November 10, 2022 Getting back to stable prices and a balanced jobs market Speech summary Tiff Macklem Public Policy Forum Toronto, Ontario Governor Tiff Macklem discusses the relationship between inflation and employment and how the Bank of Canada is working to cool an overheated economy. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Speech summaries Research Topic(s): Central bank research, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Domestic demand and components, Expectations, Inflation and prices, Interest rates, Labour markets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Potential output, Price stability, Productivity, Recent economic and financial developments
November 10, 2022 Restoring labour market balance and price stability Remarks Tiff Macklem Public Policy Forum Toronto, Ontario Governor Tiff Macklem outlines the link between high inflation and tight labour markets. He explains how the Bank is working to rebalance the labour market and discusses how structural changes may influence the supply of workers in Canada. Content Type(s): Press, Speeches and appearances, Remarks Research Topic(s): Central bank research, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Domestic demand and components, Expectations, Inflation and prices, Interest rates, Labour markets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Potential output, Price stability, Productivity, Recent economic and financial developments
Harnessing the benefit of state-contingent forward guidance Staff Analytical Note 2022-13 Vivian Chu, Yang Zhang A low level of the neutral rate of interest increases the likelihood that a central bank’s policy rate will reach its effective lower bound (ELB) in future economic downturns. In a low neutral rate environment, using an extended monetary policy toolkit including forward guidance helps address the ELB challenge. Using the Bank’s Terms-of-Trade Economic Model, we assess the benefits and limitations of a state-contingent forward guidance implemented within a flexible inflation targeting framework. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff analytical notes Research Topic(s): Central bank research, Economic models, Monetary policy framework, Monetary policy transmission JEL Code(s): E, E2, E27, E3, E37, E4, E5, E52, E58
A Horse Race of Monetary Policy Regimes: An Experimental Investigation Staff Working Paper 2022-33 Olena Kostyshyna, Luba Petersen, Jing Yang How should central banks design monetary policy in stable times and during recessions? We run a horse race between five monetary policy frameworks in an experimental laboratory to assess how well the different approaches can manage the public’s expectations and stabilize the economy. Content Type(s): Staff research, Staff working papers Research Topic(s): Inflation targets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy communications, Monetary policy framework JEL Code(s): C, C9, D, D8, D84, E, E5, E52, E58
July 4, 2022 Household differences and why they matter Sharon Kozicki Differences in income, wealth and debt across households are important—for the economy, for the health of the financial system and for monetary policy. Content Type(s): Publications, The Economy, Plain and Simple Research Topic(s): Central bank research, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Domestic demand and components, Economic models, Housing, Inflation and prices, Labour markets, Monetary policy, Monetary policy framework, Recent economic and financial developments