December 1998 | Hardback |
216 pages 22 tables 13 graphs |
In stock
Currency Competition and
Foreign Exchange Markets by Philipp Hartmann of the European Central Bank is a major new
theoretical and empirical study of international currencies, which focuses on the role
which the Euro (the future European currency), will play in the international monetary and
financial system along with the US dollar and the Japanese yen. In contrast to much of the
existing literature which approaches the subject from a macroeconomic perspective, Philipp
Hartmann develops a theoretical model which uses game theory, time series and panel
econometrics, and links financial markets analysis with transaction cost economics. The
results of Currency Competition and Foreign Exchange Markets are presented with reference
to political, historical and institutional considerations, and provide accessible answers
to policy-makers, business people and scholars world-wide. The sections on Spread
Estimation and Multiple Vehicles with Inter-Dealer Price and Entry Competition will be of
particular use for finance professionals.
Reviews
'The emergence of the Euro
is the most significant monetary event of the current era. Its international role will be
of key importance. In this topical and valuable book, Philipp Hartmann provides an
analysis of the role and evolution of the international use of money, for example as a
vehicle currency, and then applies such analysis to examine the future role of the euro,
notably in relation to the US dollar. This book is both of high academic quality and of
practical relevance for the light that it throws on future international monetary issues
in general, and on the euro in particular.' Charles Goodhart, London School of Economics
and Political Science, and member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee
'An interesting and
innovative study on a very important and topical issue in international finance, the
theory of international currencies. It has the potential to become standard reading in
international finance in the future. One of the attractions of this book is the
combination of theory, empirical evidence, and historical account.....Hartmann has a great
way of explaining difficult concepts in an accessible manner without putting his readers
to sleep...essential for professionals.' Jurgen von Hagen, University of Bonn and
Zentrum fur Europaische Intergrationsforschung
'[Hartmann's] book stands
out for its broad scope and unusual blend of theory, historical and institutional account
of financial markets, and empirical evidence. ... Overall, Hartmann has written an
interesting and innovative study with relevance to both academics and practitioners. ...
Hartmann's conclusions about the relatively slow pace with which the euro will advance
in international financial markets appear to be based on a sound analysis of the trends
and characteristics of the different market segments. His observation that the
disappearance of intra-European forex transactions by definition will exert a downward
influence on the euro's market share initially, is worth stressing. In this respect,
Hartmann provides a welcome and needed counterweight to existing overly optimistic
forecasts of an increased role of the euro internationally together with an immediate euro
appreciation.' De Economist
Contents
Introduction; 1. The
importance of currency internationalization and European monetary union; 2. The pivotal
role of Foreign Exchange markets; 3. Overview: 1. National and international money - a
survey; 1.1. Functions of international money; 1.2. Theories of international money; 1.3.
Brief history of international money; 2. A theory of vehicle currencies; 2.1.
Introduction; 2.2. Transaction costs in the Foreign Exchange market; 2.3. Structures of
currency exchange; 2.4. Conclusions; Appendix; 3. Currency competition between the Euro,
the Dollar and the Yen; 3.1. Introduction; 3.2. The emergence of the Deutsche Mark as a
Forex Vehicle currency and the 'simple arithmetics' of EMU; 3.3. EMU and Foreign
Exchange Markets; 3.4. EMU and foreign trade invoicing; 3.5. EMU and official reserve
holdings; 3.6. EMU, international investment and the evolution of European financial
markets; 3.7. Conclusions; Appendix; Tables; 4. Trading volumes and transaction costs-
from the short run to the long run; 4.1. Introduction; 4.2. Spread theory refined; 4.3. A
survey of spread Estimations; 4.4. Spreads and volumes in the short run- a time series
approach; 4.5. Spreads and volumes in the long run- a panel data; 4.6. Conclusions;
Tables; 5. General conclusions; 5.1. International monetary and financial policies; 5.2.
Theory of International money; 5.3. Foreign Exchange market micro-structure analysis;
Bibliography.