Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Bo E. Honoré
Author-Name-First: Bo E.
Author-Name-Last: Honoré
Author-Name: Daniel Kaufmann
Author-Name-First: Daniel
Author-Name-Last: Kaufmann
Author-Person:  pka480
Author-Name: Sarah M. Lein
Author-Name-First: Sarah M.
Author-Name-Last: Lein
Author-Person: pru69
Title: Asymmetries in Price-Setting Behavior: New Microeconometric Evidence from Switzerland
Abstract: In this paper we follow the recent empirical literature that has specified reduced-form models for price setting that are closely tied to (S, s)-pricing rules. Our contribution to the literature is twofold. First, we propose an estimator that relaxes distributional assumptions on the unobserved heterogeneity. Second, we use the estimator to examine asymmetries in price-setting behavior. Using micro price data underlying the Swiss CPI we find that a substantial share of asymmetries in the frequency of price changes can be traced back to a rising aggregate price level. We show that asymmetries would be reduced substantially in the absence of aggregate inflation.
Length: 57 pages
Creation-Date: 2012
Contact-Email: forschung@snb.ch
File-URL: https://www.snb.ch/en/publications/research/working-papers/2012/working_paper_2012_09
File-Format: text/html
Number: 2012-09
Classification-JEL: E31, E4, E5, C3, C23
Keywords: Asymmetric price setting, downward nominal price rigidity, front loading, menu-cost model, heterogeneity, CPI micro data, panel data
Handle: RePEc:snb:snbwpa:2012-09