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Absence of speculation in the European sovereign debt markets

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  • Frijns, Bart
  • Zwinkels, Remco C.J.

Abstract

European sovereign debt markets have been under scrutiny since the sovereign debt crisis of 2009. In this paper, we study to what extent the extreme dynamics were driven by fundamentals or speculation. We do so by decomposing bond and CDS spreads into fundamental and non-fundamental parts using a heterogeneous agent model. We find that bond markets are driven for 80% by liquidity trading, 13% by credit news, and only 5.4% by speculation. The CDS market is for 49% driven by credit news, 45% liquidity trading, and 5.5% speculation. The relative importance of the different types of agents varies over time, though.

Suggested Citation

  • Frijns, Bart & Zwinkels, Remco C.J., 2020. "Absence of speculation in the European sovereign debt markets," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 245-265.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:169:y:2020:i:c:p:245-265
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.11.017
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Credit risk; sovereign bonds; Credit default swap; heterogeneous agent models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C5 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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