Economics
Scale of Covid-19 impact shows up starkly in US stats
All of the US’s key macroeconomic indicators point to a dramatic slump
US lockdown policy ‘too restrictive’ – Minneapolis Fed paper
Researchers model optimal lockdown policy for lowest aggregate welfare cost to society
Bank of Italy paper examines expectations’ effects on spending
Researchers find inflation levels affect strength of income and intertemporal substitution effects
Covid-19 could cut eurozone GDP by 5%, 8% or 12% in 2020 – ECB
ECB publishes alternative scenarios for the uncertain economic outlook created by the pandemic
Podcast: An interdisciplinary approach to Covid-19 surveying
FedSpeak talks with the Minneapolis Fed’s Abigail Wozniak on her new real-time survey combining social science and epidemiology
Fed’s Jackson Hole conference hit by temporary venue closure
Kansas City Fed is considering implications and will release details when available
Fed banks ramp up Covid-19 surveying
Real-time and weekly surveys reveal deepening economic fallout
El-Erian on Covid-19 policy risks, ‘zombie’ markets and central bank capture
Former Pimco chief says Fed move into high yield is a step too far, new rules needed on leverage and false liquidity, and narrow window emerges for central banks to shed some of their policy load
People: Sarb and BoE renew senior appointments
Senior Sarb and BoE officials receive new terms; MAS picks new assistant managing director; ECB appoints director; William Dudley takes consulting job
Should the Fed be next to implement yield curve control?
The Reserve Bank of Australia is now the second G20 central bank trying to control longer-term interest rates. Could the Fed be next?
IMF programmes must not get too large – Bundesbank paper
Preferred creditor status can lead to large-scale IMF operations crowding out private investors
Pricing the lives saved by coronavirus policies
How does the effort to reduce risks to human life from Covid-19 compare with the economic losses?
Economists must study ‘certainty shocks’ – Bundesbank paper
Policy-makers must distinguish between shocks which raise or lower certainty, researcher says
US health system likely to be overwhelmed – Minneapolis Fed paper
Policy-makers must support massive healthcare investment and severe social distancing – researcher
Major economies already engaging in ‘currency wars’ – former IMF chief
De Larosière floats new commodity-based exchange rate regime; says “trust” is key to avoiding “beggar-thy-neighbour” policies
The Tokyo Olympics: downside risks prevail
The Bank of Japan’s latest stimulus effort seems to be weak, and comes at a time when the benefits of hosting the Tokyo Olympics may be overstated – even if the games still take place
Bank of Spain paper looks at macro-pru and growth at risk
Financial cycle, time elapsed and type of measure has major impact on effectiveness – researcher
Dutch economy more volatile than European peers – DNB research
Changes to pension system, mortgage markets and budgets could reduce volatility, paper argues
Book notes: The art of economic catch-up, by Keun Lee
Rather than merely catch-up, the book offers countries advice in making a sea change in their economic statuses
Do low rates spur investment?
Many believe low interest rates spur investment, but there appears to be little hard evidence to support such claims, writes former IMF head Jacques de Larosière
Riksbank research looks at older workers in Sweden
More old people may remain in labour force due to changes in laws, researcher says
Why Bulgaria needs to deepen its currency board
The BNB’s currency board rules should be extended to transaction deposits at commercial banks, which could in turn issue digital currencies, even in the event of euro adoption
Bulgaria: long live the currency board
Bulgaria should reject the euro and extend its currency board to cover bank deposits
Central Banking Awards 2020: the winners
All the winners in the 2020 Central Banking Awards