Uphill Capital Flows and the International Monetary System

Author/Editor:

Balazs Csonto ; Camilo E Tovar Mora

Publication Date:

July 26, 2017

Electronic Access:

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Summary:

Uphill capital flows constitute a key transmission channel through which reserve accumulation can distort the stability of the international monetary system. This paper examines and quantifies the importance of this transmission channel by examining how foreign official purchases of U.S. Treasuries influences the U.S. yield curve at different maturities. Our findings suggest that a percentage point increase in foreign official holdings relative to outstanding marketable securities reduces the term premium by 2.0–2.4 basis points at maturities of 2–3 years. These estimates are then used to gauge the role of a global policy in reducing excess reserve accumulation?e.g., a composite global reserve asset or through global liquidity facilities. Findings show that a policy that reduces the demand for Treasuries by $100 billion would increase yields by 1.5–1.8 basis points.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2017/174

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

July 26, 2017

ISBN/ISSN:

9781484311424/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2017174

Pages:

30

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