International Portfolio Choice: Liquidity Constraints and the Home Equity Bias Puzzle

Alexander Michaelides

No 3066, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: This Paper solves for optimal international portfolio choice in the presence of liquidity constraints and undiversifiable labour income risk. Optimal portfolios are internationally diversified while positive correlation between domestic stock market returns and permanent labour income shocks can worsen the home equity bias puzzle. Nevertheless, either small costs associated with investing abroad or a slightly positive domestic to foreign equity premium differential are sufficient to either deter households from participating in a foreign market or generate a substantial bias for home equities. The benefits of international diversification are limited because consumption fluctuations can be smoothed with a small amount of buffer stock saving, while exchange rate risk makes foreign investments less appealing to risk averse investors.

Keywords: International portfolio choice; Home equity bias; Liquidity constraints; Information costs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E20 G11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-11
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Related works:
Journal Article: International portfolio choice, liquidity constraints and the home equity bias puzzle (2003)
Working Paper: International portfolio choice, liquidity constraints and the home equity bias puzzle (2003)
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