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Capital flows and sovereign debt markets: Evidence from index rebalancings

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  • Pandolfi, Lorenzo
  • Williams, Tomas

Abstract

We analyze how capital flows into the sovereign debt market affect government bond prices, liquidity, and exchange rates. To address endogeneity concerns, we construct a measure of informationless capital Flows Implied by (mechanical) Rebalancings (FIR) in the largest emerging markets local currency government debt index. FIR is associated with higher returns and greater depth in the sovereign debt market after the rebalancings. Also, larger inflows (outflows) are associated with greater currency appreciations (depreciations). Our results highlight the increasing importance of capital flows driven by demand shocks, due to the growing relevance of benchmark indexes as the preferred habitat for institutional investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Pandolfi, Lorenzo & Williams, Tomas, 2019. "Capital flows and sovereign debt markets: Evidence from index rebalancings," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(2), pages 384-403.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:132:y:2019:i:2:p:384-403
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2018.10.008
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    JEL classification:

    • F32 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Current Account Adjustment; Short-term Capital Movements
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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