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Business and Economics > Public Finance

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 121 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Business Fluctuations; Cycles x
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Cover IMF Working Papers
Evaluating Historical Episodes using Shock Decompositions in the DSGE Model
Zamid Aligishiev
,
Michael Ben-Gad
, and
Joseph Pearlman
We present alternative methods for calculating and interpreting the influence of exogenous shocks on historical episodes within the context of DSGE models. We show analytically why different methods for calculating shock decompositions can generate conflicting interpretations of the same historical episodes. We illustrate this point using an extended version of Drautzburg and Uhlig’s (2015) model of the U.S. economy, focusing on the periods 1964–1966, 1979–1987, 2006–2009, 2016–2020 and 2020–2023. We argue that the best method for analyzing particular episodes is one which isolates the influence of the shocks during the period under consideration and where the initial conditions represent the system’s distance from balanced growth path at the beginning of the episode.
Keywords:
DSGE model; Shock Decomposition; Financial Frictions; Fiscal Policy; copyright page; influence of the shock; monetary policy shock; differencing method; decomposition method; Sovereign bonds; Central bank policy rate; Private investment; Public investment spending; Global
Cover Selected Issues Papers
Financial Conditions and Their Growth Implications for Qatar
Dorothy Nampewo
This paper develops a Financial Conditions Index (FCI) for Qatar and uses the Growth-at-Risk (GaR) framework to examine the impact of financial conditions on Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon growth. The analysis shows that the FCI is an important leading indicator of Qatar’s non-hydrocarbon growth, highlighting its predictive potential for future economic performance. The GaR framework suggests that overall, the current downside risks to Qatar’s baseline non-hydrocarbon growth projections are relatively mild.
Keywords:
Financial conditions; non-hydrocarbon growth; Qatar; GaR framework; growth projection; Qatar's baseline; copyright page; financial conditions indicator; Financial conditions index; Oil prices; Central bank policy rate; Deposit rates; Post-clearance customs audit; Global
Cover IMF Working Papers
The Role of Corporate Cash Holdings in the Transmission of Monetary Policy Tightening
JaeBin Ahn
,
Euihyun Bae
, and
Jing Zhou
The U.S. economy has been exceeding expectations amid one of the most aggressive monetary policy tightening cycles. This paper provides firm-level evidence showing that abundant cash holdings enable firms to benefit from higher interest rates, thereby reducing net interest payments and mitigate the adverse impact from interest rate hikes to firms' investment and employment.
Keywords:
Corporate cash; Monetary policy transmission; Interest income; Interest expense; Net interest payment; cash holding; tightening JaeBin Ahn; Monetary tightening; Interest payments; Income; Employment; Capital spending; North America; Global
Cover IMF Working Papers
Productive Capacities, Economic Vulnerability and Growth Volatility in Sub-Saharan Africa
Aminou Yaya
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, like most developing countries, face major challenges to achieve strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth with the view to reduce significantly persistent poverty and inequality. Many of these challenges results from a high level of economic vulnerability due to simultaneous shocks, notably the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and the multiplicity of armed conflicts. Hence the need to study policies and means of strengthening economic resilience to shocks. This paper analyzes the effects of productive capacities on the volatility of economic growth in SSA countries when faced with significant vulnerability. The study covers the period 2000-2018 for 43 SSA countries. Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), the results show that economic vulnerability contributes to growth volatility in SSA. However, this effect varies according to the performance of productive capacities. Countries with high productive capacities have greater opportunities to mitigate the effect of economic vulnerability on growth volatility. Some specific dimensions of productive capacities (Institutions, ICT) seem to matter more than others. The results of this study provide important recommendations to policy makers.
Keywords:
Productive capacities; economic vulnerability; growth volatility; estimation methodology; Real GDP growth in SSA; i. sensitivity; Human capital; Export diversification; Exports; Sub-Saharan Africa; Caribbean; Africa
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cabo Verde: Fourth Review of the Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and First Review of the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility and Request of Rephasing of Availability Dates-Press Release; and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
This paper discusses Cabo Verde’s Fourth Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for Modifications of Performance Criteria, and First Review of the Arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) and Request of Rephasing of Availability Dates. Macroeconomic performance in 2023 was strong, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.1 percent, a strong primary fiscal surplus, low inflation, and a prudent level of reserves to protect the peg. The public debt-to-GDP ratio continues on a downward path, and the financial sector remains resilient. The authorities are improving the monetary and financial policy frameworks. Reforms to foster productivity and diversification underpin the authorities’ growth and climate resilience strategy. The RSF arrangement supports strong reforms in the energy-water nexus with the aim of facilitating private sector development, building the appropriate infrastructure, reducing costs, and managing the energy transition. The near-term outlook is favorable despite some downside risks. Reforms focus on climate-resilience, preserving debt sustainability, advancing strong reforms in the energy-water nexus and managing the energy transition, while targeting social spending to protect the most vulnerable from the costs of the transition. State-owned enterprises reforms are key to reducing fiscal risks, and improving inter-island connectivity is critical for competitiveness.
Keywords:
RSF arrangement; Cabo Verdean authorities; RSF reform; public debt-to-GDP ratio; climate resilience strategy; Public enterprises; Fiscal risks; Economic recession; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Pakistan: Second and Final Review Under the Stand-by Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Pakistan
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This paper presents Pakistan’s Second and Final Review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). In order to move Pakistan from stabilization to a strong and sustainable recovery the authorities need to continue their policy and reform efforts, including strict adherence to fiscal targets while protecting the vulnerable; a market-determined exchange rate to absorb external shocks; and broadening of structural reforms to support stronger and more inclusive growth. Macroeconomic conditions have improved over the course of the program. The authorities have stabilized the energy sector’s circular debt over the course of the SBA through timely tariff adjustments and enhanced collection efforts. While these actions need to continue, it is also critical that the authorities undertake cost-side reforms to address the sector’s underlying issues and viability. Achieving strong, long-term inclusive growth and creating jobs require accelerating structural reforms and continued protection of the most vulnerable through an adequately financed Benazir Income Support Program. Priorities include advancing the reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including to ensure that all SOEs fall under the new policy framework; strengthening governance and anti-corruption institutions; and continuing to build climate resilience.
Keywords:
Pakistani authorities; excl. IMF obligation; sitting government; resolute commitment; policy reform; Fiscal stance; Public sector; Global
Cover IMF Working Papers
Public Debt Dynamics and the Impact of Fiscal Policy
Nikhil Patel
and
Adrian Peralta Alva
Public debt-to-GDP ratios have undergone substantial fluctuations over both the short and long term. Most recently, global debt-to-GDP ratios peaked at 100% on average in 2020 due to COVID-19, retracting substantially by 2022. To understand what drives these movements, we propose a structural approach to debt decompositions based on a SVAR identified with narrative sign restrictions. We find that GDP growth shocks and the corresponding comovements of macroeconomic variables are the key drivers of debt to GDP, accounting for 40% of the observed yearly variation in 17 advanced economies since the 1980s. Discretionary fiscal policy changes, in turn, account for less than 20% of the observed changes. The analysis also finds the primary balance multiplier on GDP to be very small. We reconcile our results with the literature, underscoring the importance of accurate shock identification and accounting for cross-country heterogeneity.
Keywords:
Public Debt; Fiscal Consolidation; Structural Vector Autoregression.; GDP growth shock; discretionary fiscal policy change; public debt dynamics; sign restriction; growth shock; Fiscal stance; Vector autoregression; Structural vector autoregression; Global
Cover IMF Working Papers
Can Energy Subsidies Help Slay Inflation?
Christopher J. Erceg
,
Marcin Kolasa
,
Jesper Lindé
, and
Andrea Pescatori
Many countries have used energy subsidies to cushion the effects of high energy prices on households and firms. After documenting the transmission of oil supply shocks empirically in the United States and the Euro Area, we use a New Keynesian modeling framework to study the conditions under which these policies can curb inflation. We first consider a closed economy model to show that a consumer subsidy may be counterproductive, especially as an inflation-fighting tool, when applied globally or in a segmented market, at least under empirically plausible conditions about wage-setting. We find more scope for energy subsidies to reduce core inflation and stimulate demand if introduced by a small group of countries which collectively do not have much influence on global energy prices. However, the conditions under which consumer energy subsidies reduce inflation are still quite restrictive, and this type of policy may well be counterproductive if the resulting increase in external debt is high enough to trigger sizeable exchange rate depreciation. Such effects are more likely in emerging markets with shallow foreign exchange markets. If the primary goal of using fiscal measures in response to spikes in energy prices is to shield vulnerable households, then targeted transfers are much more efficient as they achieve their goals at lower fiscal cost and transmit less to core inflation.
Keywords:
Energy Prices; Energy Subsidies; Monetary Policy; International Spillovers; closed economy model; headline inflation; Phillips curve; core CPI; equilibrium allocation; price inflation; Energy pricing; Inflation; Government subsidies; Global; Europe
Cover IMF Working Papers
Estimating Fiscal Multipliers Under Alternative Exchange Rate Regimes: The Case of Bolivia
Tannous Kass-Hanna
,
Julien Reynaud
, and
Chris Walker
Empirical (employing the Blanchard-Perotti framework) and modeling (using a country-specific DSGE model) approaches are used to estimate fiscal multipliers by policy instrument for Bolivia, to evaluate possible adjustments in a fiscal consolidation strategy. Multipliers are also estimated using alternative assumptions about the accompanying exchange rate regime and capital mobility, highlighting the importance of the policy mix in determining the impact of fiscal adjustments. The study exploits the DSGE modeling structure to assess this interaction of fiscal and monetary policy in a lower middle-income country under different exchange rate regimes. It finds that expenditure multipliers fall into the range of 1/3 to 2/3, with public investment multipliers slightly higher than government consumption multipliers over longer horizons, and multipliers generally higher under a peg than inflation targeting. Tax multipliers are shown to be about half of expenditure multipliers.
Keywords:
fiscal multiplier; capital mobility; Bolivia; DSGE model; expenditure multiplier; DSGE modeling; IMF working paper 23/240; tax multiplier; Fiscal multipliers; Public investment spending; Consumption; Current spending; Caribbean
Cover IMF Working Papers
Identifying News Shocks from Forecasts
Jonathan J. Adams
and
Mr. Philip Barrett
We propose a method to identify the anticipated components of macroeconomic shocks in a structural VAR. We include empirical forecasts about each time series in the VAR. This introduces enough linear restrictions to identify each structural shock and to further decompose each one into “news” and “surprise” shocks. We estimate a VAR on US time series using forecast data from the SPF, CBO, Federal Reserve, and asset prices. Unanticipated fiscal stimulus and interest rate shocks we identify have typical effects that match existing evidence. In our news-surprise decomposition, we find that news drives around one quarter of US business cycle volatility. News explains a larger share of the variance due to fiscal shocks than for monetary policy shocks. Finally, we use the news structure of the shocks to estimate counterfactual policy rules, and compare the ability of fiscal and monetary policy to moderate output and inflation. We find that coordinated fiscal and monetary policy are substantially more effective than either tool is individually.
Keywords:
Identification; Structural shocks; SVAR; News; Fiscal multiplier; Fiscal policy; Monetary policy; Policy counterfactuals; monetary policy shock; coordinated fiscal policy; using forecast data; data from the SPF; impulse response; Inflation; Vector autoregression; Fiscal stimulus; Global