Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises

© 2017 Elsevier B.V.Monetary policy announcements have a significant impact on financial market liquidity. This study provides a novel perspective on the factors driving this relationship in the market for 10-year Treasury note futures: Target rate surprises and the complexity of the monetary policy...

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Main Authors: Smales, Lee, Apergis, N.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62870
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author Smales, Lee
Apergis, N.
author_facet Smales, Lee
Apergis, N.
author_sort Smales, Lee
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2017 Elsevier B.V.Monetary policy announcements have a significant impact on financial market liquidity. This study provides a novel perspective on the factors driving this relationship in the market for 10-year Treasury note futures: Target rate surprises and the complexity of the monetary policy statement language are important determinants. Differences of opinion resulting from interpretation of complex language appear to result in more trading volume despite relatively low levels of liquidity (a negative liquidity-volume relationship), while large target rate surprises reduce trading activity (a positive liquidity-volume relationship). The dynamic changes over time, as unconventional polices are adopted by monetary authorities and, high frequency traders become more pervasive. Central bankers may aid market liquidity by minimizing surprises, and issuing statements that are easier to understand (with shorter sentences and more familiar words).
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publishDate 2017
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-628702018-02-06T06:23:10Z Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises Smales, Lee Apergis, N. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.Monetary policy announcements have a significant impact on financial market liquidity. This study provides a novel perspective on the factors driving this relationship in the market for 10-year Treasury note futures: Target rate surprises and the complexity of the monetary policy statement language are important determinants. Differences of opinion resulting from interpretation of complex language appear to result in more trading volume despite relatively low levels of liquidity (a negative liquidity-volume relationship), while large target rate surprises reduce trading activity (a positive liquidity-volume relationship). The dynamic changes over time, as unconventional polices are adopted by monetary authorities and, high frequency traders become more pervasive. Central bankers may aid market liquidity by minimizing surprises, and issuing statements that are easier to understand (with shorter sentences and more familiar words). 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62870 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2017.03.017 Elsevier restricted
spellingShingle Smales, Lee
Apergis, N.
Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title_full Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title_fullStr Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title_short Understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: The importance of language and surprises
title_sort understanding the impact of monetary policy announcements: the importance of language and surprises
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/62870