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The Determinants of Cross-Border Equity Flows: The Geography of=20 Information

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Portes

    (London Business School, DELTA, CEPR & NBER)

  • =20 H=E9l=E8ne Rey

    (London School of Economics & CEPR)

Abstract

We apply a new approach to a new panel data set on bilateral=20 gross cross-border equity flows between 14 countries, 1989- 96. The model=20 integrates elements of the finance literature on portfolio composition and= =20 the international macroeconomics and asset trade literature. Gross asset=20 flows depend on market size in both source and destination country as well= =20 as trading costs, in which both information and the transaction technology= =20 play a role. Distance proxies some information costs, and other variables=20 explicitly represent information transmission, an information asymmetry=20 between domestic and foreign investors, and the efficiency of transactions.= =20 The remarkably good results have strong implications for theories of asset= =20 trade. We find that the geography of information is the main determinant of= =20 the pattern of international transactions, while there is little support in= =20 our data for diversification and =91return-chasing=92 motives for= transactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Portes & =20 H=E9l=E8ne Rey, 2001. "The Determinants of Cross-Border Equity Flows: The Geography of=20 Information," International Finance 0012002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpif:0012002
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    Cited by:

    1. Devereux, Michael B. & Lane, Philip R., 2003. "Understanding bilateral exchange rate volatility," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 109-132, May.
    2. Ajay Shah & Ila Patnaik, 2007. "India's Experience with Capital Flows: The Elusive Quest for a Sustainable Current Account Deficit," NBER Chapters, in: Capital Controls and Capital Flows in Emerging Economies: Policies, Practices, and Consequences, pages 609-644, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Claudia M. Buch, 2005. "Distance and International Banking," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(4), pages 787-804, September.
    4. Buch, Claudia M. & Kleinert, Jorn & Toubal, Farid, 2004. "The distance puzzle: on the interpretation of the distance coefficient in gravity equations," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 83(3), pages 293-298, June.

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    JEL classification:

    • F36 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Financial Aspects of Economic Integration
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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