Estimation and control of an optimization-based model with sticky prices and wages

This paper provides estimates of an optimization-based equilibrium model with sticky prices and wages. The estimated model is used to analyse the welfare properties of various interest rate rules for conducting monetary policy. An important feature of this model is that it involves a tradeoff between the variances of price and wage inflation and the output gap. This tradeoff implies that it is desirable for the monetary authority to respond to wage inflation, in addition to price inflation, output, and past interest rates, when setting the current interest rate. The issue whether wages and prices can be indexed to steady-state inflation has important implications both for the characterization of optimal interest rate rules and interest rate volatility. In particular, optimal policy in the presence of indexation induces implausibly high steady-state inflation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.