Currency Risk Premia Redux

Abstract

We study a large currency cross section using recently developed asset pricing methods. First, we show that the implied pricing kernel includes three latent factors: a strong U.S. `Dollar' level factor, and two weak, high Sharpe ratio `Carry' and `Momentum' slope factors. The evidence for an additional 'Value' factor is scant. Second, based on this pricing kernel, we obtain robust estimates of the risk premia of more than 100 non-tradable risk factors. Some of these factors -- mostly relating to volatility, uncertainty and liquidity conditions in currency and other markets -- are priced, disclosing a clear nexus across asset classes.