We present empirical evidence on the forces driving real exchange rates in the long run. Using data from three industrialised countries, across different exchange rate regimes, we find support for the hypothesis that productivity and fiscal shocks matter. However, in some cases fiscal shocks...

We build a business cycle model characterized by endogenous firm dynamics, where banks may prefer debt renegotiation, i.e. non-performing exposures, to outright borrowers' default. Debt renegotiations per se do not have adverse effects in the event of financial crisis episodes, but a large share...

This paper reconsiders the role of macroeconomic shocks and policies in determining the Great Recession and the subsequent recovery in the US. The Great Recession was mainly caused by a large demand shock and by the ZLB on the interest rate policy. In contrast with previous findings, the...