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The Causal Effects of Commodity Shocks

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  • Alisson Curatola-Melo
  • Bernardo Guimarães

Abstract

This paper disentangles the causal effects of commodity price movements on emerging market indicators from those driven by correlated external factors, such as global growth expectations and financial conditions. We employ an identificationthrough- heteroskedasticity approach using USDA Grain Stock reports, which have an exogenous impact on soybean, corn, and wheat prices. Our findings show that the causal effects of grain price shocks on default risk, stock indexes, and exchange rates are typically less than half the size of the unadjusted estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Alisson Curatola-Melo & Bernardo Guimarães, 2025. "The Causal Effects of Commodity Shocks," Working Papers Series 639, Central Bank of Brazil, Research Department.
  • Handle: RePEc:bcb:wpaper:639
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F34 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Lending and Debt Problems
    • F44 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Business Cycles
    • Q02 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Commodity Market

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