Phoenix Miracles in Emerging Markets: Recovering Without Credit from Systemic Financial Crises

47 Pages Posted: 14 May 2006 Last revised: 26 Dec 2022

See all articles by Guillermo A. Calvo

Guillermo A. Calvo

Columbia University - School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Alejandro Izquierdo

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Research Department

Ernesto Talvi

Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Economica y Social (CERES)

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Date Written: March 2006

Abstract

Using a sample of emerging markets that are integrated into global bond markets, we analyze thecollapse and recovery phase of output collapses that coincide with systemic sudden stops, defined as periods of skyrocketing aggregate bond spreads and large capital flow reversals. Our findings indicate the presence of a very similar pattern across different episodes: output recovers with virtually no recovery in either domestic or foreign credit, a phenomenon that we call Phoenix Miracle, where output "rises from its ashes", suggesting that firms go through a process of financial engineering to restore liquidity outside the formal credit markets. Moreover, we show that the US Great Depression could be catalogued as a Phoenix Miracle. However, in contrast to the US Great Depression, EM output collapses occur in a context of accelerating price inflation and falling real wages, casting doubts on price deflation and nominal wage rigidity as key elements in explaining output collapse, and suggesting that financial factors are prominent for understanding these collapses.

Suggested Citation

Calvo, Guillermo A. and Izquierdo, Alejandro and Talvi, Ernesto, Phoenix Miracles in Emerging Markets: Recovering Without Credit from Systemic Financial Crises (March 2006). NBER Working Paper No. w12101, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=892126

Guillermo A. Calvo (Contact Author)

Columbia University - School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA) ( email )

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Alejandro Izquierdo

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Research Department ( email )

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United States

Ernesto Talvi

Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Economica y Social (CERES) ( email )

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Uruguay
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(5982)622-0526 (Fax)

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