U.S. Intervention: Assessing the Probability of Success

Abstract

This paper estimates the unconditional and conditional probabilities that U.S. interventions successfully smooth short-term mark-dollar and yen-dollar exchange rates. The sample period extends from February 1987 to February 1990. Assuming a binomial distribution, the number of observed successes usually is greater than one would expect to see randomly. Results from a logit model suggest that coordinated intervention has a higher probability of success than unilateral intervention. The probability of success also increases with the dollar amount of an intervention. Other conditioning variables are not significant. The paper presents a reaction function, with adjustments for the incidentally truncated nature of intervention data. Predicted values serve as instruments for intervention in the logit models.