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The Moses effect: can central banks really guide foreign exchange markets?

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  • Smita Roy Trivedi

    (National Institute of Bank Management)

Abstract

Central banks seek to guide the foreign exchange market through interventions. However, the success of the central bank in guiding the forex markets, much like the biblical Moses, depends on the differing perceptions and resulting bid–ask spreads of market participants following intervention. Using high-frequency data, we study the behaviour of exchange rate volatility (as reflected in change in bid–ask spreads) following intervention by Reserve Bank of India, India’s central bank. We find that intervention increases the probability of volatility being in higher ranges. Event-wise analysis shows an increase in volatility in shorter time frames and a decrease in volatility over the longer time frame of the day, following intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Smita Roy Trivedi, 2020. "The Moses effect: can central banks really guide foreign exchange markets?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(6), pages 2837-2865, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:58:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s00181-019-01671-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-019-01671-y
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central bank intervention; High-frequency data; Exchange rate volatility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models

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