Decomposition of the Sources of Real Exchange Rate Misalignment in Egypt: Evidence from the ARDL Model

This paper examines the behavior of the real exchange rate in Egypt over the period 1965–2018 by attempting to pursue three interrelated purposes. The first is to investigate the extent of deviations between the actual exchange rate and its equilibrium level and illustrate the magnitude of any currency misalignments. The second is to search for the different phases of over- and undervaluation of the local currency and explain the accompanying economic policies and/or factors leading to them. The third and ultimate purpose is to explore the role of transitory and permanent factors in deviating the actual real exchange rate from its equilibrium level. Understanding these factors should help in the design of economic policies directed to address the misalignment of the local currency. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test approach is used and conducted for both the bilateral and effective real exchange rates to achieve these three purposes during the selected period. To derive the equilibrium exchange rate estimate, the behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) approach is adopted. The findings reveal that the Egyptian pound was misaligned from its equilibrium value during most of the examined period. The results confirm the relative importance of the terms of trade and degree of openness variables in determining the equilibrium real exchange rate in Egypt followed by investment ratio and government consumption variables. The local currency witnessed a recent phase of overvaluation, which began in 2009, until the free float of the local currency in November 2016, after which, the Egyptian pound was found to have experienced a new phase of undervaluation till the end of the period examined. The findings show a considerable relative impact of fundamental-based factors over a prolonged period spanning from 1986 to 2003 and at the end of the period examined as well. Moreover, the documented results lend general support to the fact that both permanent or fundamental-based factors and short-run shocks prove to be important influential factors impacting currency misalignment in Egypt.

Russian ruble exchange rate: Modeling of comparative medium-term and long-term dynamics

The subject of the study is the dynamic mechanism of the formation of the exchange rate of the Russian ruble in a multilevel system of economic fundamental determinants-aggregates in the context of the independent floating rate of the national currency. The aim of the study is to develop the author’s theoretical and methodological conceptual approach to modeling the dynamics of the equilibrium exchange rate based on international flows (IFEER) and to develop a new model of the Russian ruble exchange rate dynamics on its basis. The methodological base of the research includes system analysis, fundamental methods of economic theory, classical methods of mathematical analysis, and economic and statistical analysis, and the provisions of national accounting. The paper presents data on the verifcation of the results of modeling mediumterm equilibrium dynamics. At the same time, the author pays considerable attention to the mathematical modeling of the long-term dynamics of the ruble exchange rate in comparison with the medium-term equilibrium dynamics and the mathematical analysis of internal functional relationships in modern conditions, which determines the scientifc novelty and relevance of the study. Based on the conducted mathematical modeling, the author concludes about the trends of a stronger ruble exchange rate in the long run, while maintaining the current long-term trends.

Real Effective Exchange Rate Misalignment of the Tunisian dinar

In the Tunisian context, the issue of the misalignment of the real exchange rate has arisen for some time for some reason, a question that has intensified after the adoption of the floating regime. In this article, we will look at the assessment of the effects, if any, of the misalignment of the real effective exchange rate (REER) to its equilibrium value over the period from 1986 to 2015. The results show that the equilibrium level of the long-run exchange rate depends on productivity, the terms of trade and government spending. Two sub-periods are noted, that of a positive mismatch (undervaluation) from 1986 to 2003 followed by another negative mismatch (overvaluation) from 2004 to 2015. Such a result can be explained by the orientation of Tunisia towards the flexibility of the real exchange rate which in turn is likely to reduce the degree of imbalance of the real exchange rate. Similarly, the Tunisian authorities must adopt gradual reforms in their decisions on liberalization and financial integration and they are called upon to strengthen their trade and exchange policies to meet the challenge of the new international financial architecture. Finally, concerning the misalignment, we found the difference between the observed exchange rate and the equilibrium exchange rate is very low, especially since the implementation of the structural adjustment plan.

Estimation of fiscal rule impact on Russian ruble equilibrium exchange rate

This paper describes a new approach that makes it possible to assess the impact of foreign exchange interventions implemented under the fiscal rule on the Russian ruble equilibrium exchange rate. The essence of the approach is to quantify the impact of foreign exchange interventions carried out within the framework of the fiscal rule on the balance of supply and demand of foreign exchange, and to reflect this influence in macroeconomic models using the “effective” oil price indicator. The article describes in detail the calculation of this indicator. The advantage of using the “effective” oil price indicator compared to alternative methods lies in the efficiency (the ability to apply for monthly data), simplicity (the possibility of using for scenario forecasting of the exchange rate), as well as the flexibility of the method (the possibility of taking into account periods of suspension of the fiscal rule and deferred purchases). The current gap in the real effective exchange rate of Russian ruble was calculated based on the data for February 2008 — October 2019. The assessment of the contribution of the fiscal rule to the equilibrium value of the real exchange rate was about 2 pp., at the end of 2019 Russian ruble was overvalued.

The real equilibrium exchange rate in a commodity­exporting economy: the experience of Azerbaijan

The case of Azerbaijan serves to study the adequacy of exchange-rate policy in a resource-rich economy. This paper analyses the behavior of Azerbaijan’s external accounts over the past twenty years. Declining oil prices made an existing exchange-rate peg unsustainable and led to a large devaluation in 2015. Since then, the current account balance has improved, but by less than expected. We use the EBA-Lite method to derive regression-based estimates of the equilibrium real exchange rate, and relate misalignments to measures of “policy gaps”. Our findings suggest that only a few years after the devaluation, Azerbaijan’s currency has once more become overvalued. Moreover, the equilibrium real exchange rate is volatile and hardly compatible with a long-run exchange rate peg. Exchange rate policy should try to accommodate shifts in the fundamental determinants such as relative productivity and real oil prices.

The misalignment of Tunisia's real effective exchange rate via the BEER approach

This paper adopts the methodology of error correction models on the BEER (Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate) approach to express the Tunisian real effective exchange rate based on-trade openness, the money supply in terms of GDP, and GDP per capita on the period (1975–2017). Indeed, the error correction mechanism confirms one of the convergences of the REER series of its trajectory to its long-term target value and on the other hand, it reflects the success of the monetary and commercial policies exploited to absorb all unpredictable shocks capable of preventing the stability of ERER from its equilibrium value. The empirical results also show the low sensitivity of the REER to monetary and trade shocks.