The opportunistic approach to monetary policy and financial market conditions
We test the concept of the opportunistic approach to monetary policy in South Africa post-2000 inflation targeting regime. The article contributes to the current debate on central banks having additional objectives over and above inflation and output by incorporating a measure of financial
conditions in the modelling framework. Our findings support the two features of the opportunistic approach. First, we find that the models that include an intermediate target that reflects the recent history of inflation rather than simple inflation target improve the fit of the models. Second,
the data supports the view that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) behaves with some degree of nonresponsiveness when inflation is within the zone of discretion but react aggressively otherwise. Recursive estimates from our preferred model reveal that overall there has been a subdued reaction
to inflation, output and financial conditions amidst the increased economic uncertainty of the 2007–2009 financial crisis.
Keywords: C51; C52; C53; E52; E58; financial conditions; intermediate inflation; monetary policy; opportunistic approach
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Room 4-17, cnr Lynnwood & Roper Streets Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Publication date: 01 June 2013
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