Currency Hedging of International Bond Portfolios: Effects of Unconventional Monetary Policy Regimes

Abstract

We examine the influence of Quantitative Easing (QE) on hedging effectiveness and performance (E&P) of international bond portfolios. During the QE period, the bond portfolios have significantly lower excess returns and variances, and their excess return and variance sensitivities are positive and negative with the Fed's MBS holdings and are less positive and less negative with the Fed's Treasury holdings. E&P are higher for optimal versus full hedging during the QE versus pre-QE period and differ for portfolios from developed and emerging countries. Results are robust using other hedging E&P measures and excluding countries with their own QEs.