Indeterminacy and Sunspot Fluctuations in Two-Sector RBC models: Theory and Calibration

We analyze sunspot-driven fluctuations in the standard 2-sector RBC model with moderate increasing returns to scale. We provide a detailed theoretical analysis enabling us to derive relevant bifurcation loci and to characterize the steady-state local stability properties as a function of various structural parameters. With GHH preferences, we show that local indeterminacy occurs through flip and Hopf bifurcations for a large set of values of the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption if the labor supply is sufficiently inelastic. With additively-separable preferences, we prove that local indeterminacy occurs through flip and Hopf bifurcations for any value of the elasticity of the labor supply, and can even be compatible with an arbitrarily low elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption. Finally, we provide a detailed quantitative analysis of the model. Computing, on a quarterly basis, a new set of empirical moments related to two broadly defined consumption and investment sectors, we are able to identify, among the set of admissible calibrations consistent with sunspot equilibria, the ones that provide the best fit of the data. The model properly calibrated solves several empirical puzzles traditionally associated with 2-sector RBC models.

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Source https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00796703
Author Dufourt, Frédéric, Nishimura, Kazuo, Venditti, Alain
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 13, 2026, 16:32 (UTC)
Created May 13, 2026, 16:32 (UTC)
Identifier halshs-00796703
Language en
Rights https://about.hal.science/hal-authorisation-v1/
contributor Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille (GREQAM) ; École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-École Centrale de Marseille (ECM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
creator Dufourt, Frédéric
date 2013-02-13T00:00:00
harvest_object_id 60d1f400-44cb-4b38-864d-6a5902c7c3fd
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2025-12-05T00:00:00
set_spec type:UNDEFINED