How have Fed interest rate hikes affected other national economies?
Nov 9, 2023
auto_awesome
Fed interest rate hikes historically triggered crises in emerging markets, but not this time. Study explores improved monetary policy credibility in these countries. Discussion on the concept of capital leaving emerging markets and its consequences. Impact of improved credibility of central banks in major emerging markets and a new index to measure policy credibility. Potential consequences of rate hikes on emerging markets and poorer countries, emphasizing the importance of improving monetary policy credibility. Implications for countries planning to connect with global financial markets, emphasizing the need for improved policy frameworks and vulnerability management.
Improved policy credibility and lower dollar debt in emerging markets have helped maintain stability during Fed interest rate hikes.
Reduced reliance on borrowing in foreign currency has limited vulnerability to capital outflows and exchange rate pressures in emerging markets.
Deep dives
Emerging Markets' Resilience to US Interest Rate Hikes
Despite high inflation and multiple interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, emerging markets and developing economies have not experienced significant negative repercussions as in the past. This resilience can be attributed to improved policy credibility and lower dollar debt in their corporate sectors. In the past, the suggestion of Fed hikes alone, without actual tightening, has led to capital outflows, risk spreads, and sudden stops in emerging markets. However, recent events have shown a different outcome, thanks to countries gaining monetary policy credibility and reducing their reliance on borrowing in foreign currency. These factors have helped maintain investor trust and stability in emerging markets.
The Role of Monetary Policy Credibility
Improved policy credibility plays a crucial role in building economic resilience for emerging markets. By establishing a sound and consistent monetary policy framework and communicating it effectively, countries can limit discretionary practices, reduce uncertainty, and enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy. Policy credibility instills trust in investors and helps anchor inflation expectations, which encourages lending and investment in local currency rather than dollar borrowing. The decline in dollar borrowing is linked to improved monetary policy credibility, as investors view countries with greater credibility as more capable of managing currency risk. This has resulted in a shift towards borrowing more in local currency, reducing vulnerability to capital outflows and exchange rate pressures.
The Danger of Dollar Debt and Vulnerability
Dollar debt poses risks for emerging markets, particularly when the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates. Countries and corporates heavily indebted in dollars face challenges in paying back debt with a depreciating local currency. Central banks cannot provide banks with enough foreign exchange during financial crises, making it difficult to manage multiple objectives. However, the recent research shows that emerging markets with lower dollar debt, particularly in the corporate sector, have performed better during periods of rate hikes. Greater improvements in monetary policy credibility have contributed to a decline in available dollar debt, reducing the potential negative impacts of Fed hikes on emerging markets.
In an effort to quell post-pandemic inflation, the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates eleven times since March 2022, with the federal funds rate now at its highest in over 20 years. Historically, such interest rate hikes—or even the suggestion of hikes—has triggered financial crises in emerging markets and developing economies. But, so far, that hasn’t happened. In this episode of the Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity, Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan and Filiz Unsal discuss their new study, which examined how improved monetary policy credibility in these countries may have improved their resilience to American financial trends.
The Brookings Podcast on Economic Activity is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Send feedback email to podcasts@brookings.edu.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode