Jump-Only Momentum and Reversal in Currency Markets

Abstract

This paper investigates the momentum and reversal signals in exchange rate jumps in currency markets. Following exchange rate jumps, currencies from emerging markets appreciate, but currencies from developed economies depreciate. Stepwise multiple testing confirms non-jump exchange rate changes signal neither momentum nor reversal. I construct strategies based on exchange rate jumps only, which perform better than pure momentum or reversal strategies with Sharpe ratios exceeding one. Returns of such strategies are robust out-of-sample and after transaction costs. A panel regression of aggregated jump sizes on macroeconomic factors suggests that exchange rate jumps in emerging markets are related to the country's GDP, while those in developed countries are explained by trade with the US.