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Too much of a good thing? on the effects of limiting foreign reserve accumulation

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  • Yan, Isabel K.
  • Kumhof, Michael

Abstract

Some emerging economies have recently experienced large government surpluses and accelerating foreign exchange reserve accumulation far in excess of what would be implied by the literature on optimal reserves. China in particular has repeatedly stressed that there may be an upper limit to how many reserves it is willing to hold. Using a dynamic general equilibrium model, we show that the credible expectation of such a limit would lead to a balance of payments anti-crisis, which is characterized by an economic boom, real appreciation, growing demand for domestic currency, and domestic inflation, in the period prior to the limit being reached.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan, Isabel K. & Kumhof, Michael, 2011. "Too much of a good thing? on the effects of limiting foreign reserve accumulation," MPRA Paper 35231, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:35231
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Balance of payments anti-crises; foreign exchange reserves; foreign exchange intervention; inflation targeting; exchange rate targeting;
    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
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy

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