Convenience Yield and Real Exchange Rate Dynamics : A Present-Value Interpretation

In this paper, we empirically investigate the relationship between the convenience yield of government bonds and the real exchange rates using monthly data spanning from 1999 to 2018. We extend the conventional models, based on present-value relationship between real exchange rate and economic fundamentals, while explicitly considering the role of the convenience yield. Empirical results suggest that our present-value models are able to capture the dynamic properties of the real exchange rate documented in literature, including high persistence, and excess volatility and co-movement compared with real interest rate differentials. We also find the sum of expected convenience yields significantly drives real exchange rate movements. Moreover, we found that foreign exchange swap market friction also plays a role in explaining real exchange rates. Finally, we identified a deviation with regard to the monetary policy rule, and found that monetary policy at the zero lower bound is also significant for yen--dollar real exchange rate modeling