Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Sveriges Riksbank (Central Bank of Sweden)

No 148: Inflation, Markups and Monetary Policy

Magnus Jonsson () and Stefan Palmqvist ()
Additional contact information
Magnus Jonsson: Research Department, Central Bank of Sweden, Postal: Sveriges Riksbank, SE-103 37 Stockholm, Sweden
Stefan Palmqvist: Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Sweden, Postal: Sveriges Riksbank, SE-103 37 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: The correlation between persistent changes in the markup in one sector of an economy and the inflation rate is quantified in a 2-sector dynamic general equilibrium model. How this relationship is affected by monetary policy is also studied. We find that the correlation is in general positive under an exogenous money growth rule as well as under an inflation targeting rule. That is, a decrease of the markup leads to a decrease in the CPI-inflation rate. However, if inflation is measured by an optimal price index that also includes the wage rate the correlation is slightly negative. That is, a decrease in the markup leads to higher inflation rates. This is due to higher wage rates. The correlation is sensitive to whether the policy rule includes an output term. If monetary policy accommodates output strongly the correlation is negative. A decrease in the markup leads to higher inflation rates, as measured by both the CPI and the optimal price index.

Keywords: Price indices; monopolistic competition; monetary policy rules

JEL-codes: D43; E31; E52

30 pages, April 1, 2003

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