On the link between distribution's margins and exchange rates: the role of globalization

In this paper, we analyze the differences in the sensibility of the distribution and transportation margin to exchange rate variations among different sectors in several European countries between 1995 and 2007. On the one hand, we provide new evidence that the margin reacts to exchange rate movements, a fact that may help to explain the still unresolved puzzle concerning the incomplete pass-through of the exchange rate to consumer prices. On the other hand, we look for indications of the characteristics of global value chains governance through the evolution of distributional margins. In addition, in order to draw more subtle conclusions, one original feature of this work is that we empirically allow for asymmetrical reactions of distributional margins to depreciations or appreciation, an effect that was previously ignored in the literature.