Price formation in the Mexican manufacturing industry. Results of a survey

This paper identifies the origins and types of price rigidities that are present in Mexican manufacturing industries. The results were obtained through a survey carried during the second semester of 2005 with 398 participating firms. The main findings may be summarized as follows: First, on average firms maintain their prices unchanged for a period close to six months. Second, the majority of firms review their price schedules on a predetermined period of time; however, when significant shocks occur, more than half switch to a pricing strategy contingent on the evolution of the variables that affect their balance sheet. Third, price stickiness is mainly associated to production costs and to the existence of explicit and implicit contracts. Finally, prices react to the type and direction of the shocks that impact each firm.