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Debt as Safe Asset

Author

Listed:
  • Markus K. Brunnermeier
  • Sebastian A. Merkel
  • Yuliy Sannikov

Abstract

The price of a safe asset reflects not only the expected discounted future cash flows but also future service flows, since retrading allows partial insurance of idiosyncratic risk in an incomplete markets setting. This lowers the issuers' interest burden and allows the government to run a permanent (primary) deficit without ever paying back its debt. As idiosyncratic risk rises during recessions, so does the value of the service flows bestowing the safe asset with a negative beta. This resolves government debt valuation puzzles. Nevertheless, the government faces a “Debt Laffer Curve”. The paper also has important implications for fiscal debt sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus K. Brunnermeier & Sebastian A. Merkel & Yuliy Sannikov, 2022. "Debt as Safe Asset," NBER Working Papers 29626, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29626
    Note: AP EFG ME
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Colin Weiss, 2022. "Geopolitics and the U.S. Dollar's Future as a Reserve Currency," International Finance Discussion Papers 1359, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
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    3. Brumm, Johannes & Feng, Xiangyu & Kotlikoff, Laurence & Kubler, Felix, 2022. "Are deficits free?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    4. Takuji Fueki & Ken Matsushita & Ichiro Muto & Fumitaka Nakamura & Shunichi Yoneyama, 2021. "Adapting to the New Normal: Perspectives and Policy Challenges after the COVID-19 Pandemic Summary of the 2021 BOJ-IMES Conference," Monetary and Economic Studies, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, vol. 39, pages 1-18, November.

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    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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