ECO102H1 Lecture 40: Lecture 40-Inflation
March 25th 2010
Inflation
Interest Rates and Inflation
Borrowers and lenders: concern is with Real interest rate Ć change in purchasing power
Nominal interest rate = Real Interest Rate + Expected inflation
Ć
Real Interest Rate = Nominal Interest Rate Ā± Expected Inflation
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1. Firm wishes to borrow for one year to build plant. Interest Rate is 10%.
2. Is this interest rate High or Low?
Answer: Depends on inflation rate.
Example:
Inflation 10% Ć
(i) cost of building plant (materials, labour) will be 10% higher next
year
(ii) goods to be produced @ plant will sell @ 10% higher prices next
year
Ć interest rate is low
Year
1981
2006
(nominal) interest rate,
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16%
4.25%
Expected inflation
13%
2.00%
Real interest Rate
3%
2.25%
Does inflation hurt savers?
Answer: only if unanticipated
Redistributive Effects (again)
Real Interest Rate 4%
Expected Inflation Rate 5%
Nominal Interest Rate 9%
#1 Actual Inflation (8%) > Expected Inflation (5%)
Real Interest Rate = 9% - 8% = 1% (not 4%)
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