Does more complex language in FOMC decisions impact financial markets?
Journal article
Authors | Smales, Lee and Apergis, Nicholas |
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Abstract | This paper is built around a simple premise that is based on the theoretical models of Harris and Raviv (1993) and Kandel and Pearson (1995). Complex statements are more difficult to interpret and may be construed in different ways by different agents. This creates heterogeneity of beliefs among market participants that manifests in increased market activity. We introduce novel measures of linguistic complexity (readability and word count) for the FOMC statements that accompany monetary policy decisions. The empirical evidence shows that monetary policy surprises have a significant impact on financial markets, and clearly demonstrates that more complex language significantly increases the trading volume, and volatility of returns, in stock, bond, and currency markets. We also establish that financial markets are more responsive to monetary policy decisions (and the language of those statements) during recession. |
Keywords | Monetary policy decisions; Monetary policy decisionsFinancial markets; FOMC statements; Linguistic complexity |
Year | 2017 |
Journal | Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 1042-4431 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intfin.2017.08.003 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/623293 |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | |
hdl:10545/623293 | |
Publication dates | 10 Oct 2017 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 14 Jan 2019, 15:05 |
Accepted | 25 Aug 2017 |
Contributors | Curtin University and University of Piraeus |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/9564v/does-more-complex-language-in-fomc-decisions-impact-financial-markets
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