Vulnerabilities in an economy to extensive pressures on the exchange rate

The article aims at introducing new methodology for recognizing suitable indicators to monitor the potential risk of extensive pressure on the exchange rate (early warning indicators) and for identifying vulnerabilities in an economy to this pressure reflected by simultaneous negative development of the observed early warning indicators. The construction of the empirical model is based on the combination of the signal approach and the binary model of behaviour. This model focuses on both strong and increased pressure on exchange rate and the parameters are adjusted to the Czech environment. The results indicate that the most significant early warning indicator for the Czech economy is the gap between current account deficit and foreign direct investment and further M2 to foreign exchange ratio, GDP growth and export growth. In total the model identified correctly 72 per cent periods of increased vulnerability of the Czech economy to excessive devaluation pressure. At the same time it identified correctly 78 per cent of tranquil periods. This methodology constitutes an innovative approach, which needs a further verification.

Keywords: exchange rate, Central and Eastern Europe, currency crises, early warning, empirical models