The Nominal Exchange Rate and Monetary Fundamentals: Evidence from Nonlinear Unit Root Tests

In this paper we model the deviation of the nominal exchange rate from the long run equilibrium level predicted by monetary fundamentals in a nonlinear framework consistent with the presence of transaction costs. In contrast to standard linear methods and studies which test for linearity only, we consider a novel approach that allows for the joint testing of nonlinearity and nonstationarity. Within this approach, we employ nonlinear threshold autoregressive (TAR) unit root tests to investigate whether the deviation of the nominal exchange rate from the level predicted by monetary fundamentals for three major currencies vis-à-vis the US dollar is mean reverting. We are able to reject the null hypotheses of linearity and nonstationarity indicating nonlinear mean reversion of the deviation of the exchange rate from monetary fundamentals. Further, large deviations are found to have faster speed of mean reversion than small deviations.

Central bank policy rates: are they cointegrated?

This paper analyses the stochastic properties of and the bilateral linkages between the central bank policy rates of the US, the Eurozone, Australia, Canada, Japan and the UK using fractional integration and cointegration techniques respectively. The univariate analysis suggests a high degree of persistence in all cases: the fractional integration parameter d is estimated to be above 1, ranging from 1.26 (US) to 1.48 (UK), with the single exception of Japan, for which the unit root null cannot be rejected. Concerning the bivariate results, Australian interest rates are found to be cointegrated with the Eurozone and UK ones, Canadian rates with the UK and US ones, and Japanese rates with the UK ones. The increasing degree of integration of international financial markets and the coordinated monetary policy responses following the global financial crisis might both account for such linkages

Does the Nominal Exchange Rate Regime Affect the Real Interest Parity Condition?

The real interest partity (RIP) condition combines two cornerstones in international finance, uncovered interest parity (UIP) and ex ante purchasing power parity (PPP). The extent of deviation from RIP is therefore an indicator of the lack of product and financial market integration. This paper investigates whether the nominal exchange rate regime has an impact on RIP. The analysis is based on 15 annual real interest rates and covers a long time span, 1870-2006. Four subperiods are distinguished and linked to fixed and flexible exchange rate regimes: the Gold Standard, the interwar float, the Bretton Woods system and the current managed float. Panel integration techniques are used to increase the power of the tests. Cross section correlation is embedded via common factor structures. The results suggest that RIP holds as a long run condition irrespectively of the exchange rate regimes. Adjustment towards RIP is affected by the institutional framework and the historical episode. Half lives of shocks tend to be lower under fixed exchange rates and in the first part of the sample, probably due to higher price flexibility before WWII. Although barriers to foreign trade and capital controls were substantially removed after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, they did not lead to lower half lives during the managed float