The Competence Centre for International Economics Research (FIW) kindly invites to participate in the Seminar in International Economics on the topic
Growing imbalances of cross-border investment incomes: A ‘Fault Line’ in the Eurozone?
Konstantin M. Wacker
University of Groningen, Netherlands
Thursday, 07th of October 2021, 3:00 p.m. (CET)
Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dzn1pXqcSKGFXzacguGJ-g
The dial-in link will be sent immediately after registration.
Presentation slides
Link to the recording
Abstract:
The investment income balance has become an important component of current account imbalances – magnitudes above 5% of GDP are not uncommon in major economies. This paper investigates trends, dynamics, and potential determinants of cross-border investment income flows. The essential question I explore in this paper is whether those investment income imbalances can become a substantial problem for countries in the Eurozone, which lacks the exchange rate as an adjustment mechanism for such imbalances.
I find no evidence for a particularly persistent or divergent pattern of imbalances in Euro area countries. However, investment incomes behave fundamentally different from other current account components and a negative association between the two is found exclusively for Euro area countries. This calls for a much more differentiated perspective on the current account in academic analysis and policy.
The seminar series is organised by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) in co-operation with FIW, the Centre of Competence in International Economics. The seminar provides a forum for presentation and discussion of recent academic research in the field of international economics.
