By: |
Roberto A. De Santis (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.);
Melanie Lührmann (Institute for Fiscal Studies, 7, Ridgmount Street, WC1E 7AE London, United Kingdom.) |
Abstract: |
In a panel covering a large number of countries from 1970 to 2003, we show
that net portfolio flows play an important role in correcting external
imbalances, since they are driven by common determinants represented by
countries’ demographic profiles, the quality of institutions, monetary
aggregates and initial net financial asset positions. Population ageing causes
current account deficits, net equity inflows and net outflows in debt
instruments. A higher money to GDP ratio – associated with lower interest
rates – favours international investments in domestic stocks to the detriment
of the less attractive domestic bonds. Additionally, current account balances
are driven negatively by real GDP growth, losses in competitiveness and
increases in the quality of the institutions; net equity flows are driven
positively by the quality of the institutions and negatively by per capita
income; while net flows in debt instruments are driven by long-term interest
rate differentials and deviations from the UIP. JEL Classification: F21, F32,
F41, O16. |
Keywords: |
Current accounts, net portfolio flows, panel regressions. |
Date: |
2006–07 |
URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20060651&r=fdg |