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Sticky Prices in The Euro Area: a Summary of New Micro Evidence

Authors 
Jouko Vilmunen
Philip Vermeulen
H. Stahl
R. Sabbatini
Patrick Lünnemann
Hervé Le Bihan
C. Kwapil
Marco Hoeberichts
Emmanuel Dhyne
Luis J. Álvarez
Publication Year 
2006
JEL Code 
C25 - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models
D40 - General
E31 - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
Abstract 
This paper presents original evidence on price setting in the euro area at the individual level. We use micro data on consumer (CPI) and producer (PPI) prices, as well as survey information. Our main findings are: (i) prices in the euro area are sticky and more so than in the US; (ii) there is evidence of heterogeneity and of asymmetries in price setting behaviour; (iii) downward price rigidity is only slightly more marked than upward price rigidity and (iv) implicit or explicit contracts and coordination failure theories are important, whereas menu or information costs are judged much less relevant by firms.
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