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Dominant currency debt

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  • Eren, Egemen
  • Malamud, Semyon

Abstract

We propose a “debt view” to explain the dominant international role of the dollar. Within a simple capital-structure model with debt-currency choice, we show that the “dominant currency” is the one that (1) depreciates in global downturns over horizons of typical debt maturity and (2) has the steepest nominal yield curve. Empirically, we show the dollar fits this description better than other major currencies. The debt view can explain dollar-debt-issuance patterns over the past two decades. It also offers insights into the future of the dominance of the dollar in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Eren, Egemen & Malamud, Semyon, 2022. "Dominant currency debt," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(2), pages 571-589.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:144:y:2022:i:2:p:571-589
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.06.023
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    3. Arslanalp, Serkan & Eichengreen, Barry & Simpson-Bell, Chima, 2022. "The stealth erosion of dollar dominance and the rise of nontraditional reserve currencies," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    4. Sérgio Leão & Rafael Schiozer & Raquel F. Oliveira & Gustavo Araujo, 2022. "Lending Relationships and Currency Hedging," Working Papers Series 565, Central Bank of Brazil, Research Department.
    5. Georgios Georgiadis & Gernot J. Müller & Ben Schumann, 2023. "Dollar Trinity and the Global Financial Cycle," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2058, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dollar debt; Dominant currency; Exchange rates; Inflation; Monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions
    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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