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Expectation formation in an experimental foreign exchange market

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Abstract

Participants of an experimental foreign exchange market forecast an exchange rate with an unknown price reaction function. Aggregate demand is derived from their own forecasts and random shocks. Our experimental results indicate that the expectations of the subjects tend to be coordinated on a common prediction strategy. This strategy is best described as a trend-extrapolative, destabilizing expectation formation scheme. Deviations from common expectations are mainly caused by random shocks, which can be ascribed to the similarity of the subjects’ behavior within and between the different markets. The findings can be explained using insights of behavioral economics.

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Correspondence to Johannes Leitner.

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Leitner, J., Schmidt, R. Expectation formation in an experimental foreign exchange market. cent.eur.j.oper.res. 15, 167–184 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-007-0024-0

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