This paper empirically investigates the dynamic effects of monetary policy and uncertainty in monetary policy on U.S. dollar exchange rates using a vector autoregression (VAR) methodology. The federal funds rate (FFR) is considered a measure of U.S. monetary policy over the period 1984:3-1996:5 during which the Fed followed a consistent regime of targeting the FFR. The time-varying conditional standard deviation of FFR generated by a first order of autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model is used as a measure of uncertainty in U.S. monetary policy. Contractionary shocks to U.S. monetary policy are found to lead to persistent appreciation in both nominal and real dollar exchange rates, a pattern that is inconsistent with the simple overshooting hypothesis proposed by Dornbusch (1976). Increased uncertainty in U.S. monetary policy is found to lead to persistent appreciation in both spot and forward dollar exchange rates. It is found that shocks to uncertainty in monetary policy explain substantial portion of the variation in the dollar exchange rate against major currencies. Comparable results on the effects of the uncertainty in monetary policy are obtained for the United Kingdom. These results support the prediction of intertemporal asset pricing models with cash-in-advance constraints.

Central banks in emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) have been modernizing their monetary policy frameworks, often moving toward inflation targeting (IT). However, questions regarding the strength of monetary policy transmission from interest rates to inflation and output have often stalled progress. We conduct a novel empirical analysis using Jordà’s (2005) approach for 40 EMDEs to shed a light on monetary transmission in these countries. We find that interest rate hikes reduce output growth and inflation, once we explicitly account for the behavior of the exchange rate. Having a modern monetary policy framework—adopting IT and independent and transparent central banks—matters more for monetary transmission than financial development.

Exchange Rates and Global Financial Policies brings together research and work done by world-class economist Paul De Grauwe over the past two decades. Drawing inspiration from behavioural finance literature, De Grauwe covers topics such as exchange rate economics, monetary integration (with particular attention on the Eurozone), and international macroeconomics.His work is categorised across three parts. The first part develops new theoretical and empirical approaches to exchange rate modelling. The second part features a collection of papers on the theory and empirical analysis of monetary unions. The final part contains criticism of mainstream macroeconomic models as well as proposed alternative modelling approaches.

An empirical study of exchange rate regimes based on data compiled from 150 member countries of the International Monetary Fund over the past thirty years. Few topics in international economics are as controversial as the choice of an exchange rate regime. Since the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system in the early 1970s, countries have adopted a wide variety of regimes, ranging from pure floats at one extreme to currency boards and dollarization at the other. While a vast theoretical literature explores the choice and consequences of exchange rate regimes, the abundance of possible effects makes it difficult to establish clear relationships between regimes and common macroeconomic policy targets such as inflation and growth. This book takes a systematic look at the evidence on macroeconomic performance under alternative exchange rate regimes, drawing on the experience of some 150 member countries of the International Monetary Fund over the past thirty years. Among other questions, it asks whether pegging the exchange rate leads to lower inflation, whether floating exchange rates are associated with faster output growth, and whether pegged regimes are particularly prone to currency and other crises. The book draws on history and theory to delineate the debate and on standard statistical methods to assess the empirical evidence, and includes a CD-ROM containing the data set used.

Maxwell Fry was known internationally for his research into international and domestic financial issues. This book constitutes a tribute to his pioneering work in so many areas, and draws together contributions from a range of academic and policy-making colleagues who were fortunate enough to experience the depth of knowledge and insights which Max

Based on the observed behavior of monetary aggregates and exchange rates, we classify inflation-stabilization episodes into two categories: de facto exchange rate-based stabilizations (ERBS) and non-ERBS. Unlike the standard de jure ERBS studied in the literature, de facto ERBS encompass cases in which the central bank intervenes in the foreign exchange market but does not preannounce the use of an exchange rate anchor. The number of the de facto ERBS is twice as large as that of de jure ERBS. Output dynamics during disinflation do not differ significantly between these two groups. We conclude that empirical studies on the effects of exchange rate anchors must seek to disentangle the effects of their announcement from those related to their role in the remonetization process.

These essays review recent advances in exchange rate analysis and new empirical analysis of the behavior of exchange rates and their effects on international trade and the U.S. economy. The first section deals with the determination of exchange rates and their alleged volatility and disequilibrium levels. The second section concerns the effects of flexible exchange rates on international trade, and the third treats the macroeconomic linkages between economies and international influences on the U.S. economy. ISBN 0-88410-948-8 : $39.95.