Monetary Policy and Real Exchange Rate Dynamics in Sticky-Price Models

Abstract

We study how real exchange rate dynamics are affected by monetary policy in dynamic, stochastic, general equilibrium, sticky-price models. Our analytical and quantitative results show that the source of interest rate persistence - policy inertia or persistent policy shocks - is key. In the presence of persistent monetary shocks, increasing policy inertia may decrease real exchange rate persistence, hampering the ability of sticky-price models to generate persistent real exchange rate deviations from parity. When we take the model to the data, the latter favors a policy rule with high shock persistence and low policy inertia.

Keywords: real exchange rates, monetary policy, interest rate smoothing, PPP puzzle, persistence

JEL Classification: F3, F41, E0