Navigation path
European Economy. Economic Papers
Ralph Setzer - European Commission and Guntram B. WOLFF – European Commission
(European Economy. Economic Papers. 373. March 2009.
26pp. Tab. Graph. Ann. Bibliogr. )
KC-AI-09-373-EN-N ISBN: 978-92-79-11184-6 ISSN: ISSN 1725-3187
Summary for non-specialists 
[67 KB] 
Conventional money demand specifications in the euro area have become unstable since 2001. We specify a money demand equation in deviations of individual euro area Member States variables from the euro area average and show that the income elasticity as well as the interest rate semi-elasticity remains stable. The corresponding deep parameters of the utility function have not changed. Aggregate money demand instability does therefore not result from altered standard factors determining the preference for holding money. Instead, other factors determine the aggregate monetary overhang. Since monetary developments cannot easily be explained by changing preferences, they should be closely monitored and might be a sign of imbalances.
JEL classification:E41, E51, E52
DOI:10.2765/31474
[67 KB]
Conventional money demand specifications in the euro area have become unstable since 2001. We specify a money demand equation in deviations of individual euro area Member States variables from the euro area average and show that the income elasticity as well as the interest rate semi-elasticity remains stable. The corresponding deep parameters of the utility function have not changed. Aggregate money demand instability does therefore not result from altered standard factors determining the preference for holding money. Instead, other factors determine the aggregate monetary overhang. Since monetary developments cannot easily be explained by changing preferences, they should be closely monitored and might be a sign of imbalances.
JEL classification:E41, E51, E52
DOI:10.2765/31474
Additional tools
