Dollar debt and equity returns

This article examines the relationship between US dollar-denominated debt and the correlations between the equity markets of 31 countries from 2007 to 2016. Our results indicate that the balance sheet mismatch imposed by the issuance of dollar-denominated debt by foreign firms leads to a common risk factor that extends across international boundaries. These results suggest that dollar-denominated debt should be considered in the design of internationally diversified equity portfolios alongside other factors of economic integration such as trade and foreign direct investment.