How Persistent are International Capital Flows?

This paper documents the dynamic properties of the current account, trade balance and international capital flows. For this purpose, three different approaches are taken: probit, non-parametric estimation and an asymmetric autoregression. The probabilistic approach shows that, in general, deficits and net inflows tend to be more persistent than surpluses and net outflows. This result is robust to either specification of pooled and country-specific probits. Current account reversals have a significant effect on the persistence of capital flows, especially in developing countries. The latter also have more persistent deficits and net inflows than industrial countries. The results of non-parametric estimation are in line with the results obtained from the probit. In the case of asymmetric autoregression, we find that surpluses are more persistent than deficits: although the probability of remaining in a surplus state is lower, the scale of surpluses tends to show more persistence than the scale of deficits.

Terms of Trade in the Medium-run

This paper contributes to empirical research on the dynamics of the terms of trade. We start by proposing a method for constructing different measures of the terms of trade. This is achieved by estimating a range of substitution elasticities using a panel data approach and highly disaggregated data on trade flows. Next, various measures of the terms of trade and trade margins are related to productivity and demand proxies. We find that domestic demand side movements are positively related to the terms of trade, while domestic productivity gains result in a deterioration of the terms of trade. Our results suggest that higher relative productivity raises the real component of exports relative to imports along the intensive margin inducing a weakening of the terms of trade.Terms of trade; Trade margins; International prices

Productivities, Trade, and Relative Prices in a Ricardian World

In an extended Ricardian model of trade, we study the effects of improving trade deficits on relative prices, and the relation between growth rates and real exchange rates. An improvement in the trade balance induces relative wages to overshoot their long-run value, placing downward pressure on the terms of trade of the same order of magnitude found in Armington type models. Once the pattern of specialization changes, some of the decline is reversed with a smaller value of long-run depreciation. We find that divergent growth rates do not cause distinct trends in the terms of trade. The result depends on the size of the non-tradable sector and the variability of industry-specific efficiencies. We also find that self-selection into export markets causes the relative price of non-traded goods to respond to demand re-balancing, giving birth to an endogenous Balassa-Samuelson effect. The model also suggests that in the long-run the stochastic variation of the real exchange rate is dominated by the volatility of the terms of trade.Trade re-balancing; Relative prices; Ricardian trade; Growth

The Dynamics of Portfolio Holdings in Emerging Europe

In this paper we examine shifts in the bilateral patterns in international portfolio holdings in emerging Europe during the 2001-2008 period. In relation to the 2001-2007 pre-crisis period, we find some evidence that shifts in the geographical composition of portfolio debt liabilities reflect shifts in bilateral trade patterns. In addition, we find that the new member states disproportionately attracted portfolio equity investment from other members of the European Union after 2004. During the crisis period, we find that the bilateral composition of the shift in portfolio positions is affected by the scale of pre-crisis holdings and the geographical proximity of creditors. We also find that countries in the euro area are more likely to maintain portfolio positions in emerging Europe than were investors from other regions.Portfolio holdings, crises, emerging Europe

Fiscal Policy and International Competitiveness: Evidence from Ireland

Our goal in this paper is to investigate the relation between government spending and the long-run behaviour of the Irish real exchange rate. We postulate that an increase in government consumption should be associated with real appreciation, while the impact of government investment is ambiguous. Empirically, we find that an increase in government consumption indeed appreciates the real exchange rate while an increase in government investment is associated with real depreciation. Accordingly, the level and composition of government spending matters for Irish external competitiveness.

The Composition of Government Spending and the Real Exchange Rate

We show that the composition of government spending influences the long-run behaviour of the real exchange rate. We develop a two-sector small open economy model in which an increase in government consumption is associated with real appreciation, while an increase in government investment may generate real depreciation. Our empirical work confirms that government consumption and government investment have differential effects on the real exchange rate and the relative price of nontradables.

External Imbalances and the Extensive Margin of Trade

We quantify the role of the extensive margin in the recent trade dynamics of selected countries that are running large and persistent trade imbalances. We find that the role of the extensive margin is quite substantial, although it varies in significance across the countries in the sample. Finally, we highlight differences in behaviour between the fixed-varieties and varieties-adjusted terms of trade.

Fiscal Policy and International Competitiveness: Evidence from Ireland

Our goal in this paper is to investigate the relation between government spending and the long-run behaviour of the Irish real exchange rate. We postulate that an increase in government consumption should be associated with real appreciation, while the impact of government investment is ambiguous. Empirically, we find that an increase in government consumption indeed appreciates the real exchange rate while an increase in government investment is associated with real depreciation. Accordingly, the level and composition of government spending matters for Irish external competitiveness.

Taxation, Debt and Relative Prices in the Long Run: the Irish Experience.

This paper investigates the effects of public debt and distortionary labour taxation on the long-run behaviour of Irish relative non-traded goods prices. We highlight that higher public debt, acting through higher taxes, has an equivocal impact on the relative supply of non-traded goods and, correspondingly, relative prices. Our empirical analysis for Ireland suggests that taxes and public debt play significant roles in the long run, comoving negatively with the relative price of non-tradables. Accordingly, shifts in public debt and taxation bear implications for the country’s international price competitiveness