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Exchange Rate Insulation Revisited

Author

Listed:
  • Giancarlo Corsetti
  • Keith Kuester
  • Gernot J. Müller
  • Sebastian Schmidt
  • Ben Schumann
  • Gernot Müller

Abstract

We confront the notion that flexible exchange rates insulate countries from external disturbances with new evidence for the euro area (EA) and 20 of its neighbors. Using high-frequency data, we first establish that countries with flexible exchange rates ("floats") let their currencies depreciate in response to EA monetary policy shocks, while "pegs" raise interest rates. Yet at business cycle frequency, these depreciations do not translate into insulation: floats contract just as much as pegs—not only in response to monetary policy shocks but also to other shocks originating in the EA. This result appears puzzling in light of received wisdom, but we show that it can be rationalized within a state-of-the-art HANK model and flesh out the underlying transmission channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Giancarlo Corsetti & Keith Kuester & Gernot J. Müller & Sebastian Schmidt & Ben Schumann & Gernot Müller, 2026. "Exchange Rate Insulation Revisited," CESifo Working Paper Series 12635, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12635
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    JEL classification:

    • F42 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Policy Coordination and Transmission
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation

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