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Ambiguity Aversion: Implications for the Uncovered Interest Rate Parity Puzzle

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  • Cosmin L. Ilut

Abstract

High-interest-rate currencies tend to appreciate in the future relative to low-interest-rate currencies instead of depreciating as uncovered-interest-parity (UIP) predicts. I construct a model of exchange-rate determination in which ambiguity-averse agents face a dynamic filtering problem featuring signals of uncertain precision. Solving a max-min problem, agents act upon a worst-case signal precision and systematically underestimate the hidden state that controls payoffs. Thus, on average, agents next periods perceive positive innovations, which generates an upward re-evaluation of the strategy's profitability and implies ex-post departures from UIP. The model also produces predictable expectational errors, ex-post profitability and negative skewness of currency speculation payoffs.

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  • Cosmin L. Ilut, 2010. "Ambiguity Aversion: Implications for the Uncovered Interest Rate Parity Puzzle," Working Papers 10-53, Duke University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:duk:dukeec:10-53
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    uncovered interest rate parity; carry trade; ambiguity aversion; robust filtering;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General

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