Saving behaviour under terms-of-trade uncertainty: evidence from hidden cointegration approach

There are very few studies on the asymmetric relationship between private saving (PS) and terms-of-trade uncertainty. This paper examines the extent to which terms-of-trade shocks have an asymmetric effect on PSs in 18 Latin American countries (LACs) over the period 1970–2012. By using the recently developed hidden cointegration analysis within a likelihood-based panel framework and panel-error–correction technique, the results indicate that there exists a long-run relationship between PS and terms-of-trade volatility. It has found some support for the view that the PS ratios have responded asymmetrically to the terms-of-trade variability as an indicator of risk and income uncertainty. The findings of this study confirm that behavioural factors, particularly loss aversion as developed through prospect theory, influence PS patterns.