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Is there momentum or reversal in weekly currency returns?

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  • Raza, Ahmad
  • Marshall, Ben R.
  • Visaltanachoti, Nuttawat

Abstract

We investigate whether momentum or reversal is the dominant phenomenon in short horizon (one- to four-week) foreign exchange rate returns. We find, based on a broad sample of 63 emerging and developed market currencies, evidence of momentum rather than reversal. Momentum strategy returns are as large as 8% p.a. The short-term momentum effect appears to be robust. Returns are larger in the earlier sub-period but still exist in the more recent period. The strategies are also profitable when the USD is appreciating or depreciating but they perform better in business cycle expansions.

Suggested Citation

  • Raza, Ahmad & Marshall, Ben R. & Visaltanachoti, Nuttawat, 2014. "Is there momentum or reversal in weekly currency returns?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 38-60.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:45:y:2014:i:c:p:38-60
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2014.02.009
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    Cited by:

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    4. Yamani, Ehab, 2021. "Can technical trading beat the foreign exchange market in times of crisis?," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    5. Chen, Chih-Nan & Lin, Chien-Hsiu, 2020. "The sources of pricing factors underlying the cross-section of currency returns," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 250-265.
    6. Jamali, Ibrahim & Yamani, Ehab, 2019. "Out-of-sample exchange rate predictability in emerging markets: Fundamentals versus technical analysis," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 241-263.
    7. Wang, Xi & Yang, Jiao-Hui & Wang, Kai-Li & Fawson, Christopher, 2017. "Dynamic information spillovers in intraregionally-focused spot and forward currency markets," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 78-110.
    8. Lee, Namhoon & Choi, Wonseok & Pae, Yuntaek, 2021. "Market efficiency in foreign exchange market," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    9. Zhuang, Chunjuan, 2018. "Improving performance of exchange rate momentum strategy using volatility information," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 510(C), pages 741-753.
    10. Hsu, Ching-Chi & Chen, Miao-Ling, 2021. "Currency momentum strategies based on the Chinese Yuan: Timing of foreign exchange volatility," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Currency; Momentum; Reversal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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