This article presents empirical test results of Malaysian foreign exchange market microstructure assessment of exchange rate dynamics. We apply vector autoregressive (VAR) model to estimate the influential role of currency order flow in the determination of the currency exchange rate for the Malaysian ringgit (MYR) against the US dollar (USD). We investigate whether currency order flow captures the movements of exchange rate of MYR against USD, and how the long-term and short-term components impact the relative estimation of MYR in the international market. We, construct a measure of order flow in the Malaysian foreign exchange market to reflect the pressure of currency excess demand. Our focus is on the cumulative currency order flow and the exchange rate relationship of MYR and USD. A hybrid model of order flow and exchange rate dynamics proposed by Evans and Lyons (2002a) is applied to the Malaysian foreign exchange market (MYR/USD) to analyse a dataset of every 15-minute currency order flow and exchange rate movements from January 2010 to December 2015. Our dataset has unique features in terms of the quality of the data, extensive period and precise high frequency. Our results show that currency order flow explains an important portion of the movements in the MYR–USD exchange rate.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the essential role that currency order flow plays in the foreign exchange markets of emerging economies in the determination of their currencies in the short and the long-run against major currencies of the world, which cannot be over emphasized, most especially against the US dollar. Insomuch that, if some of these emerging economies can be successfully transmitted into full development, it would be a good model for other emerging economies and the world at large.
Design/methodology/approach
A hybrid model (portfolio shift model) proposed by Evans and Lyons (2002a, 2002b) is extended to analyze a data set of every quarter of an hour currency order flow and currency exchange rate fluctuations of Thai Baht (THB) against the US$ for the period of six years (January 2010 to December 2015). To reflect the pressure of currency excess demand, the authors construct a measure of currency order flow in the Thailand currency exchange market. Vector autoregression model is applied to estimate the effectual role of currency order flow in the determination of exchange rate for the THB against the US$.
Findings
Currency order flow indeed accounted for a sizeable and significant portion of the fluctuations in the THB and the US$ exchange rate.
Originality/value
Insomuch that, the results show that currency order flow has significant explanatory power in the emerging markets economy to capture the THB exchange rate variability, and it then brings to the attention of the Thailand Monetary Authority the importance that should be attached to the market microstructure.
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