Financial institutions

Hawkish or dovish central bankers: do different flocks matter for fiscal shocks?

12/19/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

This column presents evidence on the role that US monetary policy plays in how fiscal spending affects the economy. A dovish Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) delays policy rate increases, while a hawkish FOMC tightens monetary policy more promptly, following increased fiscal spending. We show that the dovish response supports fiscal expansions. In contrast, the hawkish response results in a GDP decline but effectively controls inflation expectations.

Reports of AI ending human labour may be greatly exaggerated

11/28/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have been met with anxiety about the future of jobs. This article examines the link between AI-enabled technologies and employment shares across 16 European countries, finding that occupations potentially more exposed to AI-enabled technologies increased their employment share during the period 2010-19. This has been particularly the case for occupations with a relatively higher proportion of younger and skilled workers.

Reports of AI ending human labour may be greatly exaggerated

11/28/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have been met with anxiety about the future of jobs. This article examines the link between AI-enabled technologies and employment shares across 16 European countries, finding that occupations potentially more exposed to AI-enabled technologies increased their employment share during the period 2010-19. This has been particularly the case for occupations with a relatively higher proportion of younger and skilled workers.

Forecasting euro area inflation with machine-learning models

10/17/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Inflation forecasts and their risks are key for monetary policy decisions. The strategy review concluded in 2021 highlighted how most Eurosystem models used to forecast inflation are linear. Linear models assume that changes in, for example, wages, always have the same fixed, proportional effect on inflation. A new machine learning model, recently developed at the ECB, captures very general forms of non-linearity, such as a changing sensitivity of inflation dynamics to prevailing economic circumstances.

Forecasting euro area inflation with machine-learning models

10/17/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Inflation forecasts and their risks are key for monetary policy decisions. The strategy review concluded in 2021 highlighted how most Eurosystem models used to forecast inflation are linear. Linear models assume that changes in, for example, wages, always have the same fixed, proportional effect on inflation. A new machine learning model, recently developed at the ECB, captures very general forms of non-linearity, such as a changing sensitivity of inflation dynamics to prevailing economic circumstances.

The outlook is mixed: the asymmetric effects of weather shocks on inflation

10/10/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Climate change has implications for price stability and the work of central banks. It may increase the volatility and heterogeneity of inflation, and hotter summers may lead to more frequent and persistent upward pressures on food and services inflation. Our empirical study provides evidence for the four largest euro area economies and outlines the relationship between temperature and inflation.

The outlook is mixed: the asymmetric effects of weather shocks on inflation

10/10/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Climate change has implications for price stability and the work of central banks. It may increase the volatility and heterogeneity of inflation, and hotter summers may lead to more frequent and persistent upward pressures on food and services inflation. Our empirical study provides evidence for the four largest euro area economies and outlines the relationship between temperature and inflation.

Bonds at a premium: the impact of insurers on corporate bond issuers

09/20/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

On the basis of insurance companies’ bond investments, I examine how shifts in investors’ demand for corporate bonds affect non-financial bond issuers. When demand for their bonds increases, firms’ financing costs decrease, which encourages them to increase their bond debt and invest more. These effects crucially depend on how credit-constrained firms are. My findings emphasise the critical role that institutional investors play in shaping non-financial firms’ financing decisions and real economic activity.

Bonds at a premium: the impact of insurers on corporate bond issuers

09/20/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

On the basis of insurance companies’ bond investments, I examine how shifts in investors’ demand for corporate bonds affect non-financial bond issuers. When demand for their bonds increases, firms’ financing costs decrease, which encourages them to increase their bond debt and invest more. These effects crucially depend on how credit-constrained firms are. My findings emphasise the critical role that institutional investors play in shaping non-financial firms’ financing decisions and real economic activity.

Carbon trade-offs: how firms respond to emission controls

07/17/2023 European Central Bank Central banks

Regulation to control carbon emissions challenges firms to develop optimal carbon management policies. We set out a unified approach to study the trade-offs carbon pricing poses for firms and how they should therefore best respond. Our model shows that while carbon pricing curtails firms’ carbon emissions, polluting firms tilt their green investment mix towards more immediate yet short-lived options – such as solely reducing emissions (abatement) instead of investing in green innovation – as it becomes costlier to comply.

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