United States Current Account Deficits: A Stochastic Optimal Control Analysis

54 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2006

See all articles by Jerome L. Stein

Jerome L. Stein

Brown University - Division of Applied Mathematics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Date Written: September 2006

Abstract

The Pessimists and the Optimists disagree whether the US external deficits and the associated buildup of US net foreign liabilities are problems that require urgent attention. A warning signal should be that the debt ratio deviates significantly from the optimal ratio. The optimal debt ratio or debt burden should take into account the vulnerability of consumption to shocks from the productivity of capital, the interest rate and exchange rate. The optimal debt ratio is derived from inter-temporal optimization using Dynamic Programming, because the shocks are unpredictable, and it is essential to have a feedback control mechanism. The optimal ratio depends upon the risk adjusted net return and risk aversion both at home and abroad. On the basis of alternative estimates, we conclude that the Pessimists' fears are justified on the basis of trends. The trend of the actual debt ratio is higher than that of the optimal ratio. The Optimists are correct that the current debt ratio is not a menace, because the current level of the debt ratio is not above the corresponding level of the optimum ratio.

Keywords: U.S. current account deficits, external debt, stochastic optimal control, dynamic

JEL Classification: C61, F32, F34, F37

Suggested Citation

Stein, Jerome L., United States Current Account Deficits: A Stochastic Optimal Control Analysis (September 2006). CESifo Working Paper Series No. 1805, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=938368 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.938368

Jerome L. Stein (Contact Author)

Brown University - Division of Applied Mathematics ( email )

Providence, RI 02912
United States
401-863-2143 (Phone)
401-863-1355 (Fax)

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

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