Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

With the existing "historic cost" method of depreciation, higher inflation rates reduce the real value of future depreciation deductions and therefore raise the real net cost of investment. The calculations in this paper show that this rise in the net cost can be quite substantial at recent inflation rates; e.g., the real net cost of an equipment investment with a 13 year tax life is raised 21 percent by an 8 percent expected inflation rate if the firm uses a 4 percent real discount rate. The effects of inflation on the net cost of investment can be completely eliminated by indexing depreciation. A more accelerated depreciation schedule can also lower the net cost of investment and make that net cost less sensitive to the rate of inflation. The current paper examines a particular acceleration proposal and finds that, for moderate rates of inflation and real discount rates, the acceleration proposal and full indexation are quite similar. For low rates of inflation, high discount rates, or very long-lived investments, the acceleration proposal causes greater reductions in net cost than would result from complete indexing. Conversely, for high rates of inflation, low discount rates, or very short-lived investments, the acceleration method fails to offset the adverse effects of inflation. Since the acceleration and indexation methods have quite similar effects under existing economic conditions, the choice between them requires balancing the administrative simplicity and other possible advantages of acceleration against the automatic protection that indexation offers against the risk of significant changes from the recent inflation rates and discount rates.

Inflation (Finance)

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

This paper considers the problem of optimal long run monetary policy. It shows that optimal inflation policy involves trading off two quite different considerations. First, increases in the rate of inflation tax the holding of many balances, leading to a deadweight loss as excessive resources are devoted to economizing on cash balances. Second, increases in the rate of inflation raise capital intensity. As long as the economy has a capital stock short of the golden rule level, increases in capita intensity raise the level of consumption. Ignoring the second consideration leads to the common recommendation that the money growth rate be set so that the nominal interest rate is zero. Taking it into account can lead to significant modifications in the "full liquidity rule." Inter-actions of inflation policy with financial intermediation and taxation are also considered. The results taken together suggest that inflation can have important welfare effects, and that optimal inflation policy is an empirical question, which depends on the structure of the economy.

Inflation (Finance)

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Inflation (Finance) --- Congresses

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Money. Monetary policy --- Business cycles --- Capitalism --- Industrial policy --- Inflation (Finance) --- Capitalisme --- Politique industrielle --- Inflation --- Industry and state --- crise economique --- inflation --- economische crisis --- inflatie --- Capitalism. --- Industrial policy. --- Inflation (Finance).

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Saving and investment --- Effect of inflation on