Monetary policy and long-term interest rates: a survey of empirical literature.

This paper surveys recent empirical literature on effects of monetary policy on long-term interest rates. Most studies reviewed here suggest that tightening monetary policy results in higher long-term interest rates. But available evidence suffers from conceptual and empirical problems and fails to indicate the magnitude of short-run and long-run policy effects on long rates. Also, recent studies have not investigated the possibility of shifts in recent-year effects of monetary policy on long rates. Finally, the paper offers a policy perspective on limitations of existing evidence and suggests future research on monetary policy effects on long rates.

I. INTRODUCTION

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Two views seem to have clearly emerged about the conduct of monetary policy in the country. There are several analysts who think that there is now enough evidence to suggest that the monetary policy stance of the State Bank needs to be eased.

With import growth contained and a steady downward trend achieved in (non-food, non-energy) core inflation, the SBP is in a position to reverse its tight policy and ease interest rates as early as the first quarter of 2007.

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“This is Banana Republic-type stuff! And I’m not talking about the clothing store. Printing money out of thin air at the central bank, only to turn around and buy debt securities issued by your Treasury, is the kind of practice you typically see in emerging market regimes. We’re essentially monetizing our country’s debt and deliberately devaluing our country’s currency.”

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