Theoretical Economics

Journal of the Econometric Society

Edited by: Federico Echenique • ISSN (e): 1555-7561 • ISSN (print): 1933-6837

Theoretical Economics: Jan, 2024, Volume 19, Issue 1

Asset bubbles and product market competition

https://doi.org/10.3982/TE5066
p. 325-364

Francisco Queirós

This paper studies the interplay between asset bubbles and product market competition. It offers two main insights. The first is that imperfect competition creates a wedge between interest rates and the marginal product of capital. This makes rational bubbles possible even when there is no overaccumulation of capital. The second is that, when providing a production subsidy, bubbles stimulate competition and reduce monopoly rents. I show that bubbles can destroy efficient investment and have ambiguous welfare consequences. However, when they stimulate competition, they can have crowding-in effects on capital.


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