Research Details

Abstract

We assess the importance of nominal rigidities using a new weekly scanner data set. We find that nominal rigidities are important but do not take the form of sticky prices. Instead, they take the form of inertia in reference prices and costs, defined as the most common prices and costs within a given quarter. Reference prices are particularly inertial and have an average duration of roughly one year, even though weekly prices change roughly once every two weeks. We document the relation between prices and costs and find sharp evidence of state dependence in the probability of reference price changes and in the magnitude of these changes. We use a simple model to argue that reference prices and costs are useful statistics for macroeconomic analysis.

Type

Article

Author(s)

Martin Eichenbaum, Nir Jaimovich, Sergio Rebelo

Date Published

2011

Citations

Eichenbaum, Martin, Nir Jaimovich, and Sergio Rebelo. 2011. Reference Prices, Costs and Nominal Rigidities. American Economic Review.(1): 234-62.