Federal Reserve System

About: Federal Reserve System is a other organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Monetary policy & Inflation. The organization has 2373 authors who have published 10301 publications receiving 511979 citations.

Diverging Trends in Aggregate and Firm Volatility

Abstract: This note documents the diverging trends in volatility of the growth rate of sales at the aggregate and firm levels. We establish that the upward trend in firm volatility is not simply driven by a compositional bias in the sample studied.We argue that this new fact brings into question the proposed explanations for the decline in aggregate volatility and that, given the symmetry of the diverging trends at the micro and macro levels, a common explanation is likely. We conclude by describing one such theory.

Does the Fed act gradually? a VAR analysis

Abstract: The tendency for changes in the federal funds rate to be implemented gradually has been considered evidence of an interest-rate smoothing objective for the Federal Reserve. This paper investigates whether gradual movements in the federal funds rate can be explained by the dynamic structure of the economy and the uncertainty that the Fed faces regarding this structure, without recourse to including an ad-hoc interest rate smoothing argument in the objective function of the Fed. The analysis calculates the optimal funds rate policy given the structural form of the economy estimated in a VAR. In the absence of parameter uncertainty, the calculated policy responds more aggressively to changes in the economy than the observed policy, resulting in a substantially higher volatility of the funds rate than observed. Parameter uncertainty, however, limits the willingness of the Fed to deviate from the policy rule that has been previously implemented. Because the Fed has historically smoothed interest rates, the calculated policy under parameter uncertainty can account for a considerable portion of the gradualism observed in funds rate movements.

Interest Rates and Equity Extraction During the Housing Boom

Abstract: Using credit record panel data from 1999-2010, we show that the likelihood of home equity extraction (borrowing, on average, about $40,000 against one's home) peaked in 2003 when mortgage rates hit historic lows, and estimate that a 100 basis point rate decline is associated with a 25 percent rise in the likelihood of extraction. Further, this relationship is amplified in ZIP codes with substantial house price growth. Differential responses to interest rates and home price appreciation by age and credit score provide new evidence of financial frictions. Finally, equity extraction is associated with higher default risk, especially for extractors in 2006 who were more than twice as likely to become delinquent on a mortgage than non-extractors over the next four years.