Transition path in the simplest RBC model

Dear Professor Johannes Pfeifer,

I am trying to compute the transition path for the simplest rbc model with log utility and full depreciation. I am unable to find a reasonable transition path (although the “solution is found”, it does not find it, as you can see in the figure).

I have tried with multiple solvers. There appear to be no problem if delta (the depreciation rate) is set to a sufficiently low value. Do you have any insight on what could be the issue? I was trying to implement several simple algorithms for the case that we have a closed form solution, and I was surprised that I cannot get the path with Dynare.

Thanks a lot in advance for you time. The code is below.

Sergio

%--Solving a simple RBC model
var  c k;
predetermined_variables k;

parameters alpha bet delta sigma k_b;

alpha = 0.27;                                         %parameter production function f=k^alpha
bet   = 0.994;                                        %discount factor
delta = 1;                                            %depreciation rate
sigma = 1;                                            %risk aversion
k_b   = (alpha*bet/(1-bet*(1-delta)))^(1/(1-alpha));  %k in steady state

model;

%--- Eq 1 resource constraint

k(+1)-(1-delta)*k+c = k^alpha;

%--- Eq 2 Euler equation

c^(-sigma) = bet*c(+1)^(-sigma)*(alpha*k^(alpha-1)+1-delta);

end;


initval;
k = 0.1*k_b;
end;


endval;
k = k_b;
c = k_b^alpha-delta*k_b;
end;

resid;

perfect_foresight_setup(periods=200);
perfect_foresight_solver;
%perfect_foresight_solver(stack_solve_algo=7, solve_algo=9);

rplot k;
1 Like

It needs to be k(+1) in your Euler equation.

Thank you Professor,

Best regards,

Sergio