TY  - JOUR
AU  - Svensson,Lars E.O.
TI  - The Simplest Test of Inflation Target Credibility
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 4604
PY  - 1993
Y2  - December 1993
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w4604
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w4604.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
Lars E.O. Svensson
Sveriges Riksbank
SE-103 37 Stockholm
SWEDEN
Tel: +46 8 787 0107
Fax: +46 8 21 0531
E-Mail: lars.svensson@iies.su.se
AB  - A simple test of inflation target credibility is constructed by subtracting the maximum and minimum inflation rates consistent with the inflation targets from the yields to maturity on nominal bonds. This results in a target-consistent range of real yields on nominal bonds.  If expected real yields, or market real interest rates on real bonds if such are available, fall outside the range of target- consistent real yields, credibility is rejected.  Two concepts of credibility, called absolute credibility and credibility in expectation, are distinguished.  The inflation targets of Canada, New Zealand and Sweden are examined with convenient diagrams over yields to maturity and forward interest rates.
ER  -