Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Elizabeth Steiner
Author-Name-First: Elizabeth
Author-Name-Last: Steiner
Author-Person: pst643
Title: The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on markups - firm-level evidence for Switzerland
Abstract: This paper estimates the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on markups. Firm-level markups are estimated for a comprehensive panel of Swiss manufacturing firms for the period 2012-2017 using a production-function approach. The pass-through of the exchange rate is then estimated using an event-study design exploiting the large, sudden and persistent appreciation of the Swiss franc against the euro in January 2015. The results show that following an appreciation, Swiss manufacturing firms adjust their markup very heterogeneously. Large firms, especially those that invoice in foreign currency or are highly profitable, substantially decrease their markup. Owing to their sheer size, large firms shape the aggregate response. In contrast, the average firm does not respond significantly. This suggests that smaller firms, which are in the majority, are either unable or unwilling to absorb exchange rate movements by adjusting their markup.

Length: 52 pages
Creation-Date: 2024
Contact-Email: forschung@snb.ch
File-URL: https://www.snb.ch/en/publications/research/working-papers/2024/working_paper_2024_02
File-Format: text/html
Number: 2024-02
Classification-JEL: D22, D24, F12, F14, F41, F23, L11
Keywords: Markup, Exchange rate, Pass-through, Firm-level data
Handle: RePEc:snb:snbwpa:2024-02