Description

Using structural VARs identified with long-run restrictions, this paper evaluates the importance of nominal shocks and real disturbances on the Chilean real exchange rate (RER) during the nineties. Different estimations indicate that nominal disturbances account for about 30% of the variance of the forecast error of the RER in the short run. Positive nominal shocks produce an appreciation of RER that lasts five months. The effect of real shocks depends on the nature of the shocks. A positive productivity shock appreciates the real exchange rate while a positive expenditure shock causes a real depreciation of the currency. The historical decomposition of the RER does not show periods of large misalignment.