Econometrics of the forward premium puzzle

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Date

2005-09-15

Authors

Chakraborty, Avik, 1975-
Haynes, Stephen E., 1945-

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon, Dept of Economics

Abstract

This paper explores from a new perspective the forward premium puzzle, i.e., why a regression of the change in the future spot exchange rate on the forward premium paradoxically yields a coefficient that is frequently negative. This traditional specification is compared theoretically and empirically to a "level" regression of the future spot rate on the current forward rate, which does not display the puzzle. We explore both non-rationality and risk premium explanations. The general conclusionis that, with non-rationality, any modest deviation from unity in the level coefficient becomes greatly magnified in the forward premium coefficient because of the stationary/nonstationary properties of the relevant variables, thereby generating the puzzle.

Description

23 p.

Keywords

Forward premium puzzle, Spot and forward exchange rates, Foreign exchange market efficiency, Non-rationality in foreign exchange markets

Citation