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Changes in the Relationship between Currencies and Commodities

March 2, 2012
Haruko Kato
Financial Markets Department

This paper examines the relationship between so-called commodity currencies and commodity prices in recent years. Commodity prices have fluctuated significantly during this time period. Commodity currencies -- the currencies of large commodity exporters such as Australia, Canada, Chile, and South Africa -- have experienced large swings together with commodity prices. The paper identifies the basis of the co-movements between commodity currencies and commodity prices, and checks the statistical data to see whether there are any changes in the relationship between commodity currencies and commodity prices. The results show that commodity currencies have developed a stronger relationship with major commodity indexes rather than with the unique commodities the countries produced. In addition, it is found that commodity currencies used to have forecasting power in terms of commodity prices, but have lost that power in the course of the "financialization" of commodities. These changes may cause higher volatility in both markets and hence should be kept in mind in the monitoring of international financial markets.

Notice

The Bank of Japan Review is published by the Bank of Japan to explain recent economic and financial topics for a wide range of readers. This report, 2012-E-2, is a translation of the original Japanese issue, Bank of Japan Review Paper No. 2011-J-12, published in December 2011. The views expressed in the Review are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Bank of Japan.

If you have comments or questions, please contact Financial Markets Analysis Group, Coordination and Market Analysis Division, Financial Markets Department (Tel : +81-3-3279-1111).