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ASYMMETRY AND THE AMPLITUDE OF BUSINESS CYCLE FLUCTUATIONS: A QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL FRICTIONS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 August 2016

Manoj Atolia ,
John Gibson  and
Milton Marquis
Manoj Atolia
Affiliation:
Florida State University
John Gibson*
Affiliation:
Georgia State University
Milton Marquis
Affiliation:
Florida State University
*
Address correspondence to: John Gibson, Department of Economics, Georgia State University, 14 Marietta St. NW, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; e-mail: jgibson25@gsu.edu.
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Abstract

We examine the quantitative significance of financial frictions that reduce firms' access to credit in explaining asymmetric business cycles characterized by disproportionately severe downturns. Using rate spread data to calibrate the severity of these frictions, we successfully match several key features of U.S. data. Specifically, although output and consumption are relatively symmetric (with output being slightly more asymmetric), investment and hours worked display significant asymmetry over the business cycle. We also demonstrate that our financial frictions are capable of significantly amplifying adverse shocks during severe downturns. Although the data suggest that these frictions are only active occasionally, our results indicate that they are still a significant source of macroeconomic volatility over the business cycle.

Keywords

Business Cycle AsymmetryMoral HazardAgency CostsLiquidity ShocksOccasionally Binding Constraints
Type
Articles
Information
Macroeconomic Dynamics , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , March 2018 , pp. 279 - 306
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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