Quantitative Implications of Indexed Bonds in Small Open Economies
49 Pages Posted: 9 Dec 2007
Date Written: October 2007
Abstract
This paper analyzes the macroeconomic implications of real-indexed bonds, indexed to the terms of trade or GDP, using a general equilibrium model of a small open economy with financial frictions. Although indexed bonds provide a hedge to income fluctuations and can thereby mitigate the effects of financial frictions, they introduce interest rate fluctuations. Because of this tradeoff, there exists a nonmonotonic relation between the degree of indexation (i.e., the percentage of the shock reflected in the return) and the benefits that these bonds introduce. When the nonindexed bond market is shut down and only indexed bonds are available, indexation strengthens the precautionary savings motive, increases consumption volatility and deepens the impact of Sudden Stops for degrees of indexation higher than a certain threshold. When the nonindexed bond market is retained, nonmonotonic relationship between the degree of indexation and the benefits of indexed bonds still remain. Degrees of indexation higher than a certain threshold lead to more volatile consumption than lower degrees of indexation. The threshold degree of indexation depends on the volatility and persistence of income shocks as well as on the relative openness of the economy.
Keywords: indexed bonds, degree of indexation, financial frictions, sudden stops
JEL Classification: F41, F32, E44
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Recommended Papers
-
Holding International Reserves in an Era of High Capital Mobility
-
International Reserves: Precautionary Versus Mercantilist Views, Theory and Evidence
By Joshua Aizenman and Jaewoo Lee
-
International Reserves: Precautionary Versus Mercantilist Views, Theory and Evidence
By Joshua Aizenman and Jaewoo Lee
-
Seigniorage and Political Instability
By Alex Cukierman, Sebastian Edwards, ...
-
International Reserves: Precautionary vs. Mercantilist Views, Theory and Evidence
By Joshua Aizenman and Jaewoo Lee
-
The High Demand for International Reserves in the Far East: What's Going on?
-
The High Demand for International Reserves in the Far East: What's Going on?
-
The Optimal Level of International Reserves for Emerging Market Countries: Formulas and Applications
-
The Social Cost of Foreign Exchange Reserves
By Dani Rodrik
-
The Social Cost of Foreign Exchange Reserves
By Dani Rodrik