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Optimal Exchange Rate Policy: The Influence of Price Setting and Asset Markets

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  • Charles Engel

Abstract

This paper examines optimal exchange-rate policy in two-country sticky-price general equilibrium models in which households and firms optimize over an infinite horizon in an environment of uncertainty. The models are in the vein of the new open-economy macroeconomics' as exemplified by Obstfeld and Rogoff (1995, 1998, 2000). The conditions under which fixed or floating exchange rates yield higher welfare depend on the exact nature of price stickiness and on the degree of risk-sharing opportunities. This paper presents some preliminary empirical evidence on the behavior of consumer prices in Mexico that suggests failures of the law of one price are important. The evidence on price setting and risk-sharing opportunities is not refined enough to make definitive conclusions about the optimal exchange-rate regime for that country.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Engel, 2000. "Optimal Exchange Rate Policy: The Influence of Price Setting and Asset Markets," NBER Working Papers 7889, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:7889
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    1. Pang, Ke, 2013. "Financial integration, nominal rigidity, and monetary policy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 75-90.
    2. Burstein, Ariel T. & Neves, Joao C. & Rebelo, Sergio, 2003. "Distribution costs and real exchange rate dynamics during exchange-rate-based stabilizations," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(6), pages 1189-1214, September.
    3. Fujiki, Hiroshi & Otani, Akira, 2002. "Do Currency Regimes Matter in the 21st Century? An Overview," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 20(S1), pages 47-79, December.
    4. Mathias Hoffmann, 2010. "International financial markets' influence on the welfare performance of alternative exchange rate regimes," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 62(3), pages 442-477, July.
    5. Devereux, Michael B. & Engel, Charles, 2002. "Exchange rate pass-through, exchange rate volatility, and exchange rate disconnect," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(5), pages 913-940, July.
    6. von Furstenberg, George M., 2006. "Mexico versus Canada: Stability benefits from making common currency with USD?," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 65-78, March.
    7. Shambaugh, Jay, 2008. "A new look at pass-through," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 560-591, June.
    8. Adrian, Tobias & Gros, Daniel, 2004. "The degree of openness and the cost of fixing exchange rate," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 83(1), pages 141-146, April.
    9. Yu‐Lin Wang & Hsiu‐Yun Lee, 2009. "Rules versus discretion on the choice between exchange‐rate‐targeting and monetary‐aggregate‐targeting," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 43-55.
    10. Constantino Hevia & Juan Pablo Nicolini, 2013. "Optimal Devaluations," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 61(1), pages 22-51, April.
    11. Oi, Hiroyuki & Otani, Akira & Shirota, Toyoichiro, 2004. "The Choice of Invoice Currency in International Trade: Implications for the Internationalization of the Yen," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 22(1), pages 27-63, March.
    12. Enrique G. Mendoza, 2005. "Real Exchange Rate Volatility and the Price of Nontradables in Sudden-Stop-Prone Economies," NBER Working Papers 11691, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Yu-Lin Wang & Hsiu-Yun Lee, 2009. "Rules versus discretion on the choice between exchange-rate-targeting and monetary-aggregate-targeting," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 43-55.
    14. Campa, Jose Manuel & Gonzalez Minguez, Jose M., 2006. "Differences in exchange rate pass-through in the euro area," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 121-145, January.
    15. Duarte, Margarida, 2003. "Why don't macroeconomic quantities respond to exchange rate variability?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(4), pages 889-913, May.
    16. Polterovich, Victor & Popov, Vladimir, 2003. "Accumulation of Foreign Exchange Reserves and Long Term Growth," MPRA Paper 20069, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Hoffmann, Mathias & Tillmann, Peter, 2012. "International financial integration and national price levels: The role of the exchange rate regime," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 1503-1528.
    18. Velasco, Andrés, 2005. "Editor's summary," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 123142, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    19. Mihailov, Alexander, 2003. "Effects of the Exchange-Rate Regime on Trade under Monetary Uncertainty: The Role of Price Setting," Economics Discussion Papers 8865, University of Essex, Department of Economics.
    20. Donayre, Luiggi & Panovska, Irina, 2016. "State-dependent exchange rate pass-through behavior," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 170-195.
    21. Tille, Cedric, 2005. "The welfare effect of international asset market integration under nominal rigidities," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 221-247, January.
    22. Alexander Mihailov, 2004. "Effects of the exchange-rate regime on trade: the role of price setting," Money Macro and Finance (MMF) Research Group Conference 2003 66, Money Macro and Finance Research Group.

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    JEL classification:

    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance
    • F4 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance

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