Working Paper

The profitability of U.S. intervention


Abstract: In this paper I address some of the issues associated with measuring the profits and losses from intervention and show that U.S intervention since the beginning of generalized floating in 1973 has earned positive economic profits for the U.S. monetary authorities. Profitability has been largest during episodes of intervention that have generated large foreign-exchange exposures. Fundamental explanations for the profitability of intervention are difficult to isolate, but I discuss possibilities that are consistent with the data. Finally I consider the effects profitable intervention may have on macroeconomic activity through its effect on the government budget constraint.

Keywords: Foreign exchange - Law and legislation;

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File(s): File format is application/pdf http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/ifdp/1989/343/ifdp343.pdf

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Bibliographic Information

Provider: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.)

Part of Series: International Finance Discussion Papers

Publication Date: 1989

Number: 343