2. THE PORTFOLIO BALANCE APPROACH
The portfolio-balance approach is another model for exchange rate determination that is popular among Forex economists. More specifically, the portfolio balance approach is a modern theory based on the relationship between the relative price of bonds and exchange rates.
The Portfolio Balance Approach Explained
The portfolio balance approach is an extension of the monetary exchange rate models focusing on the impact of bonds. According to this approach, any change in the economic conditions of a country will have a direct impact on the demand and supply of domestic and foreign bonds. This shift in the demand/supply for bonds will in turn influence the exchange rate between the domestic and foreign economies.
The key advantage of the portfolio approach when compared to traditional approaches is that the financial assets tend to adjust considerably faster to new economic conditions than tradeable goods. Nevertheless, based on empirical evidence, the portfolio balance approach is not an accurate predictor of exchange rates.
The Assumptions of the Portfolio Balance Approach
The portfolio balance approach is based on several assumptions:
1. The purchasing power parity (PPP) does not hold
2. The uncovered interest parity does not hold
3. The exchange rate is expected unchanged
4. Only three (3) assets are available for investment for each household: money, domestic bonds, and foreign bonds
5. Bonds are not perfect substitutes
6. Assumes perfect capital mobility without capital controls and similar barriers to investment
7. Assumes narrow transaction costs and high completion in the money markets
Portfolio Balance Approach Key Points
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Emphasizes the importance of global financial markets (especially as concerns the bond markets)
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Assumes the existence of arbitrage between two economies
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Offers a realistic and simplistic analysis framework
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The portfolio balance approach, based on empirical evidence, hasn’t proven an accurate predictor of exchange rates
■ THE PORTFOLIO BALANCE APPROACH
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