How to Limit the Spillover from an Inflation Surge to Inflation Expectations?

Abstract

We study the effects of forward-looking communication in an environment of rising inflation rates on German consumers’ inflation expectations using a randomized control trial. We show that information about rising inflation increases short- and long-term inflation expectations. This initial increase in expectations can be mitigated using forward-looking information about inflation. Among these information treatments, professional forecasters’ projections seem to reduce inflation expectations by more than policymaker’s characterization of inflation as a temporary phenomenon.

Keywords

JEL codes