Diversification Role of Currency Momentum for Carry Trade: Evidence from Financial Crises

Posted: 18 Aug 2018 Last revised: 23 Sep 2019

Date Written: February 14, 2019

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the diversification role of currency momentum for carry trade crashes during the turbulent periods surrounding the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis and the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. The motivation is to use an important tendency of momentum strategy to yield statistically and economically significant profits during crises periods that are far higher than the crashes commonly experienced with the carry trade. I use an empirical heterogeneous agent model to design a new trading strategy which combines carry trade and momentum signals where the relative weight given to both signals is based on their past performance. The main finding is that the combined strategy is a good hedge with desirable diversification merits in times of financial stress. This evidence has important implications for the practices of currency portfolio management during times of heightened financial uncertainty.

Keywords: Exchange Rate; Carry Trade; Currency Momentum; Uncovered Interest Rate Parity; Random Walk Hypothesis; Heterogeneous Agent Models; Adaptive Market Hypothesis

JEL Classification: G01; G14; G15; F31

Suggested Citation

Yamani, Ehab Abdel-Tawab, Diversification Role of Currency Momentum for Carry Trade: Evidence from Financial Crises (February 14, 2019). Journal of Multinational Financial Management 49, 1-19, 2019 (Lead Article)., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3226417

Ehab Abdel-Tawab Yamani (Contact Author)

Chicago State University ( email )

College of Business
9501 S. King Drive / BHS 411
Chicago, IL 60628
United States
773-995-3954 (Phone)

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