Theoretical Economics 19 (2024), 325–364

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.

Keywords: Rational bubbles, overaccumulation, competition, market power

JEL classification: E44, L13, L16