Using methods from machine learning we show that fundamentals from simple exchange rate models (PPP or UIRP) or Taylor-rule based models lead to improved exchange rate forecasts for major currencies over the floating period era 1973--2014 at a 1-month forecast horizon which beat the no-change...

We revisit the debt overhang question. We first use non-parametric techniques to isolate a panel of countries on the downward sloping section of a debt Laffer curve. In particular, overhang countries are ones where a threshold level of debt is reached in sample, beyond which (initial) debt ends...