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Interest Rates, Convenience Yields and Inflation Expectations: Drivers of US Dollar Exchange Rates

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  • Bernoth, Kerstin
  • Herwartz, Helmut
  • Trienens, Lasse

Abstract

Using a data-driven approach to identify structural vector autoregressive models, we examine key factors influencing the US dollar exchange rate across eight advanced economies from 1980 to 2022. We find that shocks to inflation expectations, which are closely tied to unfunded government transfer payments, have a pronounced effect on the US dollar's value. This underscores the fiscal dimension of exchange rates. External shocks, related to the convenience yield investors forgo to hold US dollar assets, have emerged over time as the most powerful driver of US dollar exchange rate fluctuations. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay of monetary policy, fiscal dynamics, and global market forces in shaping US dollar exchange rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernoth, Kerstin & Herwartz, Helmut & Trienens, Lasse, 2024. "Interest Rates, Convenience Yields and Inflation Expectations: Drivers of US Dollar Exchange Rates," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302351, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association, revised 2024.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc24:302351
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    exchange rates; convenience yield; inflation expectations; monetary policy; fiscal policy; unfunded government transfer payment; monetary-fiscal policy mix;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • 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
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics

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