Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/153048 
Year of Publication: 
2006
Series/Report no.: 
ECB Working Paper No. 614
Publisher: 
European Central Bank (ECB), Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
This paper develops a view of exchange rate policy as a trade-off between the desire to smooth fluctuations in real exchange rates so as to reduce distortions in consumption allocations, and the need to allow flexibility in the nominal exchange rate so as to facilitate terms of trade adjustment. We show that optimal nominal exchange rate volatility will reflect these competing objectives. The key determinants of how much the exchange rate should respond to shocks will depend on the extent and source of price stickiness, as well as the elasticity of substitution between home and foreign goods. Quantitatively, we find the optimal exchange rate volatility should be significantly less than would be inferred based solely on terms of trade considerations. Moreover, we find that the relationship between price stickiness and optimal exchange rate volatility may be non-monotonic.
Subjects: 
Exchange Rates
expenditure switching
monetary policy
JEL: 
F41
E52
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
607.87 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.