This paper provides an exact and computable invariant currency value index (ICVI) which is independent of base currency choice. Thus, given a fixed set of currencies, the index of a currency will have the same value, regardless of base currency choice. This currency index can be used as an indicator to assess movements of an individual currency's value in world currency markets. The methodological and mathematical reasoning behind ICVI is formulated in terms of a simple exchange model (SIMEX). To demonstrate one possible application we employ ICVI to construct a currency basket of minimum variance. Utilizing a quadratic optimization framework, we compute optimal weights for currencies and construct a stable aggregate currency (SAC). Comparative empirical analyses of a five-currency SAC and the IMF's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) demonstrates that the SAC has lower volatility and lower correlations with its components than the SDR. In a similar way it is shown that a three-currency SAC has a smaller variance th
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1481-1504
JournalJournal of Economic Dynamics and Control
Volume28
Issue number8
StatePublished - 2004

    Research areas

  • Currency index, Currency basket, Minimal variance, Numeraire, International finance, World money

ID: 5020003