Contractionary Effects of Devaluation and the Balance Sheet Effect in a Macroeconomic Model With Heterogeneous Firms

Abstract

We propose a demand-led heterogeneous firm macroeconomic model to study the impact of an exchange rate devaluation on output and financial stability. We simulate the model and find that, in the presence of foreign debt, a devaluation can have contractionary effects. This effect is mediated by the responsiveness of exports to the exchange rate and is attenuated when the traditional trade channel is stronger. Still, the balance sheet effect operates increasing indebtedness and financial instability.