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The Measurement of External Accounts

Author

Listed:
  • Gustavo Adler
  • Mr. Daniel Garcia-Macia
  • Signe Krogstrup

Abstract

Growing international integration in trade and finance can challenge the measurement of external accounts. This paper presents a unified conceptual framework for identifying sources of mismeasurement of foreign investment income in current account balances. The framework allows to derive a precise definition of measurement distortions and an empirical strategy for estimating their importance. As an application, we empirically estimate two specific distortions related to inflation and retained earnings on portfolio equity for a broad set of countries. We find these may explain a non-trivial share of current account imbalances and that they are particularly relevant in countries with large external investment positions. We also discuss how merchanting and profit-shifting activities could lead to measurement distortions. We suggest areas for future research and underline the need to strengthen data collection efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Gustavo Adler & Mr. Daniel Garcia-Macia & Signe Krogstrup, 2019. "The Measurement of External Accounts," IMF Working Papers 2019/132, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Herkenhoff, Philipp & Sauré, Philip, 2021. "How expected inflation distorts the current account and the valuation effect," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Duncan van Limbergen, 2020. "Revisiting the income balance. What makes EU tax havens different?," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Bridging measurement challenges and analytical needs of external statistics: evolution or revolution?, volume 52, Bank for International Settlements.
    3. repec:prg:jnlcfu:v:2021:y:2021:i:2:id:561 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Paul Austin & Gabriel Quirós-Romero & Jennifer Ribarsky, 2020. "International integration and statistical challenges: the intersection between policy and measurement needs," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Bridging measurement challenges and analytical needs of external statistics: evolution or revolution?, volume 52, Bank for International Settlements.
    5. Mr. Luis M. Cubeddu & Signe Krogstrup & Gustavo Adler & Mr. Pau Rabanal & Mai Dao & Mrs. Swarnali A Hannan & Luciana Juvenal & Ms. Carolina Osorio-Buitron & Cyril Rebillard & Mr. Daniel Garcia-Macia &, 2019. "The External Balance Assessment Methodology: 2018 Update," IMF Working Papers 2019/065, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Hansen, Erwin & Wagner, Rodrigo, 2022. "The reinvestment by multinationals as a capital flow: Crises, imbalances, and the cash-based current account," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    7. Coutinho, Leonor & Turrini, Alessandro & Zeugner, Stefan, 2022. "Assessing the euro area current account," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    8. Mr. Shafik Hebous & Mr. Alexander D Klemm & Yuou Wu, 2021. "How Does Profit Shifting Affect the Balance of Payments?," IMF Working Papers 2021/041, International Monetary Fund.

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