The Effects of Transparency in Macroeconomic Data Release on Exchange Rate Movements: A Simulation

This study aims to introduce the microstructure approach to the exchange rate as the 4th generation of exchange rate models and to apply it in a simulation model to study the effects of transparency of macroeconomic data on exchange rate fluctuations. The microstructure approach to the exchange rate is developed to include decentralized and multi-layer structure of currency markets along with information complexities in this market and the role of trading mechanisms in exchange rate determination. After introducing this approach, we have developed our theoretical model to use it for simulation. In this simulation, we have studied the effects of transparency of macro data release on exchange rate fluctuation. To achieve this goal, we have used two variables of “delay in macro data release” and “error in macro data release”. Our simulation results show that an increase in macro data release delay leads to higher volatility of The exchange rate. This is because of increasing uncertainty for economic agents. In addition, an increase in macro data release delay leads to a farther delay in responsiveness of the exchange rate to movements in its macro fundamental variables. Although we have found a non-linear relationship between  the “error in macro data release” variable and exchange rate volatility, the magnitude of this effect is less than the effect of the “delay in macro data release” variable on exchange rate volatility. Based on our results, we recommend that to have lower exchange rate volatility, authorities should increase the transparency of macroeconomic data releases and especially they should lower the delay in macro data releases.