Optimal devaluations
By: Constantino Hevia, Juan Pablo Nicolini.
Contributors: Nicolini, Juan Pablo.; World Bank.
Series: Policy research working paper -- 4926; Policy research working papers (Online) -- 4926.
Publisher: World Bank
Published: 2009
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Devaluation of currency; Recessions
Description: "According to the conventional wisdom, when an economy enters a recession and nominal prices adjust slowly, the monetary authority should devalue the domestic currency to make the recession less severe.  The reason is that a devaluation of the currency lowers the relative price of non-tradable goods, and this reduces the necessary adjustment in output relative to the case in which the exchange rate remains constant.  This paper uses a simple small open economy model with sticky prices to characterize optimal fiscal and monetary policy in response to productivity and terms of trade shocks.  Contrary to the conventional wisdom, in this framework optimal exchange rate policy cannot be characterized just by the cyclical properties of output.  The source of the shock matters: while recessions induced by a drop in the price of exportable goods call for a devaluation of the currency, those induced by a drop in productivity in the non-tradable sector require a revaluation. "--World Bank web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 5/26/2009.

Includes bibliographical references.

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Mode of access: World Wide Web.