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The Global (Mis)Allocation of Capital

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Abstract

The allocative efficiency of capital flows is one of the oldest and most contentious questions. We answer it by matching cross-border securities holdings reported in the US external statistics from 1995 to 2022 with the corresponding firm-level measures of allocative efficiency. We find that US investors tilt their international equity investment toward firms with high MRPK and markups, thereby fostering their potential for growth. Foreign investors tilt their holdings toward US firms with high productivity and intangible capital. A horse race shows that productivity is the best predictor of foreign investment in US firms and MRPK for US investment in foreign firms. Both US and foreign firms that receive more international funding increase spending on intangible capital, and foreign firms also increase tangible capital. The results are stronger for more productive firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Carol C. Bertaut & Stephanie E. Curcuru & Ester Faia & Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, 2024. "The Global (Mis)Allocation of Capital," International Finance Discussion Papers 1399, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgif:1399
    DOI: 10.17016/IFDP.2024.1399
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    JEL classification:

    • E20 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • F60 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - General

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