Accounting for Global Dispersion of Current Accounts

Author/Editor:

Jaewoo Lee ; Yongsung Chang ; Sun-Bin Kim

Publication Date:

December 1, 2009

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

We undertake a quantitative analysis of the dispersion of current accounts in an open economy version of incomplete insurance model, incorporating important market frictions in trade and financial flows. Calibrated with conventional parameter values, the stochastic stationary equilibrium of the model with limited borrowing can account for about two-thirds of the global dispersion of current accounts. The easing of financial frictions can explain nearly all changes in the current account dispersion in the past four decades whereas the easing of trade frictions has almost no impact on the current account dispersion.

Series:

Working Paper No. 09/276

Subject:

Capital transactions Consumer goods Cross country analysis Current account Economic models External shocks International capital markets International financial system International trade

English

Publication Date:

December 1, 2009

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451874211/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2009276

Format:

Paper

Pages:

33

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