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Behavioral Biases in Forward Rates as Forecasts of Future Exchange Rates: Evidence of Systematic Pessimism and Under-Reaction

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  • Raj Aggarwal

    (University of Akron, U.S.A.)

  • Sijing Zong

    (California State University-Stanislaus, U.S.A.)

Abstract

Even though the forward-spot relationship in currency markets is very important for policy makers and for corporate and investment managers, it remains a theoretical and empirical puzzle. In theory the forward rate should be an unbiased forecast of the future spot rate, but this hypothesis has little empirical support. For the currencies of the nine major industrialized countries, this paper documents that in spite of the very high trading volumes in currency markets, consistent with evidence for other asset markets, revisions in the forward rate forecasts of the future spot exchange rate reflect systematic pessimism and under-reaction to new information.

Suggested Citation

  • Raj Aggarwal & Sijing Zong, 2008. "Behavioral Biases in Forward Rates as Forecasts of Future Exchange Rates: Evidence of Systematic Pessimism and Under-Reaction," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 12(3-4), pages 241-277, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfj:journl:v:12:y:2008:i:3-4:p:241-277
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    Cited by:

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    2. Imad A. Moosa, 2015. "The random walk versus unbiased efficiency: can we separate the wheat from the chaff?," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(2), pages 251-279, October.
    3. Manolis G. Kavussanos & Ilias D. Visvikis, 2011. "The Predictability of Non-Overlapping Forecasts: Evidence from a New Market," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 15(1-2), pages 125-156, March - J.
    4. Merza, Ebrahim & Moosa, Imad A., 2023. "Pitfalls in Econometric Forecasting with Illustrations from Exchange Rate Economics," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 76(2), pages 147-172.
    5. Radim Gottwald, 2015. "The Forecasting of Spot Exchange Rates Based on the Forward Exchange Rates," MENDELU Working Papers in Business and Economics 2015-52, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics.
    6. Sami Jarboui, 2016. "Managerial psychology and transport firms efficiency: a stochastic frontier analysis," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 365-379, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    exchange rates; forward bias; market rationality; under-reaction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • F47 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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