The Diminishing Impact of Monetary Policy on Asset Prices Around Non-FOMC Macroeconomic Announcements

Abstract

I examine the effects of monetary policy surprises on asset prices around non-FOMC macroeconomic announcements that are directly relevant to the Fed's monetary policy decisions. While FOMC announcements are known to have similar effects during periods of conventional and unconventional monetary policies, I show that non-FOMC announcements affect asset prices much less in the latter period. Moreover, bond premium, volatility and the overall resolution of uncertainty decrease on these announcements. These findings are described in an information framework. Taken together, the evidence suggests unconventional monetary policies deter market's ability to anticipate Fed actions, which has implications for its transmission to asset prices.