Inflation and Asymmetric Price Adjustment
利用独特的企业微观数据，发现价格调整的不对称性与通货膨胀系统相关，通胀会提高企业提价概率、降低降价概率，对成本下降和需求上升的反应也有类似不对称。
Using a unique micro data set, we find pervasive evidence of price asymmetry that is systematically related to inflation. An ordered probit model of pricing by manufacturing, building and merchandising firms shows that inflation: (i) increases the probability of a price increase in response to cost increases and (ii) decreases the probability of a price decrease in response to decreases in demand. Predicted inflation-induced asymmetries also show up for price responses to cost decreases and demand increases but not as overwhelmingly. Similar asymmetries are evident in firm's expectations of price changes, with a slight optimistic bias relative to actual changes. © 2000 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology