Recent Fall in the SDR Interest Rate--Implications and Proposed Amendments to Rule T-1

Recent Fall in the SDR Interest Rate--Implications and Proposed Amendments to Rule T-1 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498342663
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 25

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Book Description
The SDR interest rate is at historic lows. Under the current Rule T-1, the SDR interest rate is calculated as the weighted average of interest rate instruments in the SDR basket, and stood at just 3 basis points for the week of October 13th. Market rates could decline further, which could reduce the SDR interest rate to zero or negative levels under the formula of the current Rule T-1. However, there is no authority under the Articles of Agreement for the Fund to establish a zero or negative SDR interest rate. The wording of the relevant provisions in the Articles does not leave room for a zero or negative rate, and nothing in the legislative history of the First and Second Amendments suggests that zero or negative rates were ever contemplated. Negative SDR interest rates would also have adverse implications for the Fund’s finances. Moreover, very low SDR interest rates affect the functioning of the burden sharing mechanism for deferred charges. Under current Board decisions, the equal burden sharing, where creditors and debtors as a group generate equal amounts to cover deferred charges, requires a minimum positive SDR interest rate to operate. The SDR interest rate has now fallen below that minimum level. This paper proposes technical amendments to Rule T-1 and the burden sharing mechanism to address these issues. In particular, the paper proposes setting a 5 basis point floor on the SDR interest rate, changing the rounding rules on the SDR interest rate and the burden sharing adjustment, and reducing the 1 basis point minimum of the burden sharing adjustment to 0.1 basis point. These measures would preserve a minimal capacity of equal burden sharing aimed at protecting the Fund’s balance sheet, while limiting potential departures of the SDR interest rate from market interest rates.

Recent Fall in the SDR Interest Rate--Implications and Proposed Amendments to Rule T-1

Recent Fall in the SDR Interest Rate--Implications and Proposed Amendments to Rule T-1 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498342663
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 25

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Book Description
The SDR interest rate is at historic lows. Under the current Rule T-1, the SDR interest rate is calculated as the weighted average of interest rate instruments in the SDR basket, and stood at just 3 basis points for the week of October 13th. Market rates could decline further, which could reduce the SDR interest rate to zero or negative levels under the formula of the current Rule T-1. However, there is no authority under the Articles of Agreement for the Fund to establish a zero or negative SDR interest rate. The wording of the relevant provisions in the Articles does not leave room for a zero or negative rate, and nothing in the legislative history of the First and Second Amendments suggests that zero or negative rates were ever contemplated. Negative SDR interest rates would also have adverse implications for the Fund’s finances. Moreover, very low SDR interest rates affect the functioning of the burden sharing mechanism for deferred charges. Under current Board decisions, the equal burden sharing, where creditors and debtors as a group generate equal amounts to cover deferred charges, requires a minimum positive SDR interest rate to operate. The SDR interest rate has now fallen below that minimum level. This paper proposes technical amendments to Rule T-1 and the burden sharing mechanism to address these issues. In particular, the paper proposes setting a 5 basis point floor on the SDR interest rate, changing the rounding rules on the SDR interest rate and the burden sharing adjustment, and reducing the 1 basis point minimum of the burden sharing adjustment to 0.1 basis point. These measures would preserve a minimal capacity of equal burden sharing aimed at protecting the Fund’s balance sheet, while limiting potential departures of the SDR interest rate from market interest rates.

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR - Initial Considerations

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR - Initial Considerations PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498344313
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 65

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Book Description
This paper lays out initial considerations for the quinquennial review of the method of valuation of the Special Drawing Right (SDR) currency basket. As in previous reviews, a key objective is to enhance the attractiveness of the SDR as an international reserve asset. In that context, the review will assess the currencies for SDR basket inclusion, currency weights, and the SDR interest rate basket. The paper takes as a starting point the conclusions of the last review in 2010 and the subsequent Board discussion of currency selection criteria in 2011. At the time of the last review, China met the gateway export criterion but the renminbi (RMB) was not included in the SDR basket as it was not judged to be freely usable, the second currency selection criterion. In light of the Board’s broad support in 2011 for the existing legal framework, and since China continues to meet the export criterion, this paper discusses building blocks relevant for a future determination on whether to include the RMB in the basket under the existing criteria.

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498344011
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
This paper provides the basis for the quinquennial review of the method of valuation of the Special Drawing Right (SDR). The review considers the composition, size, and weighting of the SDR currency basket and the financial instruments used to determine the SDR interest rate. The analysis in this paper is guided by the informal discussion of Executive Directors in July on initial considerations for the review. In light of Directors’ preference, the two currency selection criteria for SDR inclusion are maintained. Since China continues to meet the export criterion, a key focus of this paper is on assessing whether the renminbi (RMB) could be determined to be a freely usable currency, which is the second criterion. The paper documents the rising international use and trading of the RMB since the 2010 SDR valuation review. A range of indicators suggests that use of the RMB in international transactions has risen substantially, albeit from a low base. The paper also finds that the RMB has become far more actively traded in foreign exchange markets, with sufficient depth to support operations of the size Fund members might undertake without an appreciable change in the exchange rate. Full Text also available in Chinese.

Review of the Fund’s Income Position for FY 2024 and FY 2025-2026

Review of the Fund’s Income Position for FY 2024 and FY 2025-2026 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 49

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Book Description
This paper updates the projections of the Fund’s income position for FY 2024 and FY 2025-2026 and proposes related decisions for the current and the following financial years. The paper also includes a proposed decision to keep the margin for the rate of charge unchanged until completion of the review of surcharges, but until no later than end FY 2025, at which time the Board would set the margin for the rest of FY 2025 and FY 2026. The Fund’s overall net income for FY 2024 is projected at about SDR 4.4 billion after taking into account pension-related remeasurement gain and estimated retained investment income of the Endowment Account.

Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust - Review of Interest Rate Structure

Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust - Review of Interest Rate Structure PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498342531
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 12

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Book Description
This paper provides the basis for the second review of the interest rate structure approved under the 2009 reforms of the Fund’s concessional lending facilities. Based on the application of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) interest rate mechanism, PRGT interest rates for 2015–16 would be zero percent for both the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), and 0.25 percent for the Stand-by Credit Facility (SCF). The interest rate on remaining balances of the Exogenous Shock Facility (ESF) is not set by the PRGT interest mechanism and it would be 0.25 percent. In accordance with the PRGT Instrument, the next review of PRGT interest rates will take place by December 31, 2016.

Review of the Fund’s Income Position for FY2023 and FY2024

Review of the Fund’s Income Position for FY2023 and FY2024 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
This paper updates the projections of the Fund’s income position for FY 2023 and FY 2024 and proposes related decisions for the current and next financial year. The paper also includes a proposed decision to keep the margin for the rate of charge unchanged for financial year 2024. The Fund’s overall net income for FY 2023 is projected at about SDR 1.8 billion, slightly lower than the April 2022 estimate.

Review of the Fund's Income Position for FY 2017 and FY 2018

Review of the Fund's Income Position for FY 2017 and FY 2018 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498346774
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 49

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Book Description
The Fund’s total net income for FY 2017, including surcharges, is projected at about SDR 1.7 billion or some SDR 0.7 billion higher than expected in April 2016. This mainly reflects the IAS 19 adjustment (relating to reporting of employee benefits), which is expected to contribute about SDR 0.4 billion to net income, and higher investment income. Lending income is expected to be modestly lower than the April 2016 estimates. The paper recommends that GRA net income of SDR 1.2 billion for FY 2017 (which excludes projected income of the gold endowment), be placed equally to the special and general reserve. After the placement of GRA FY 2017 net income to reserves, precautionary balances are projected to reach SDR 16.4 billion at the end of FY 2017. The paper further proposes to transfer currencies equivalent to the increase in the Fund’s reserves from the GRA to the Investment Account. In April 2016, the margin for the rate of charge was set at 100 basis points for the two years FY 2017 and FY 2018. The margin may be adjusted before the end of the first year of this two-year period (i.e., FY 2017) but only if warranted by fundamental changes in the underlying factors relevant for the establishment of the margin at the start of the two-year period. Staff does not propose a change in the margin. The projections for FY 2018 point to a net income position of SDR 0.7 billion. These projections are subject to considerable uncertainty and are sensitive to a number of assumptions.

Review Of The Fund’s Income Position For FY 2019 And FY 2020

Review Of The Fund’s Income Position For FY 2019 And FY 2020 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498322972
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
This paper reviews the Fund’s income position for FY 2019 and FY 2020. The paper updates projections provided in April 2018 and proposes decisions for the current year. The paper includes a comprehensive review of the Fund’s income position as required under Rule I-6(4). No change is proposed in the margin for the rate of charge that was established under this rule in April 2018 for the period FY 2019–20.

Review of the Fund's Income Position for FY 2018 and FY 2019-20

Review of the Fund's Income Position for FY 2018 and FY 2019-20 PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498309143
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
"The Fund’s total net income for FY 2018 is projected at about SDR 0.7 billion, broadly in line with the April 2017 estimate. The projections for total lending income are broadly unchanged. Most sources of lending income are lower, reflecting a lower level of credit outstanding as a result of advance repurchases and delayed disbursements. However, projected commitment fee income is higher following the early cancellation of a large FCL arrangement in November 2017. The paper recommends that GRA net income of SDR 0.7 billion for FY 2018 (excluding projected income of the gold sales profits-funded Endowment Subaccount) be placed to the special and general reserve. After the placement of GRA FY 2018 net income to reserves, precautionary balances are projected to reach SDR 17.4 billion at the end of FY 2018. The paper further proposes to transfer currencies equivalent to the increase in the Fund’s reserves from the GRA to the Investment Account. The paper also revisits options for the allocation of net income between the special and general reserve, and proposes that net income be allocated equally between the special and general reserve. In line with the recent Board discussion of a framework for guiding future payouts from the Endowment Subaccount, the paper presents a detailed proposal, which includes delaying payouts for three years to protect the real value of the Endowment. The paper also recommends that the margin for the rate of charge for the period FY 2019–2020 be kept unchanged at 100 basis points. The margin will again be set under the exceptional circumstances clause, as non-lending income continues to be constrained by the low interest rate environment and lending income will be used to finance a portion of the Fund’s non-lending activities. The projections for FY 2019 and FY 2020 point to a net income position of SDR 0.4 billion and SDR 1 billion, respectively. These projections are subject to considerable uncertainty and are sensitive to a number of assumptions."

Guidance Note for Fund Staff on the Treatment and Use of SDR Allocations

Guidance Note for Fund Staff on the Treatment and Use of SDR Allocations PDF Author: International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498335632
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description
Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, the IMF has decided to implement a US$250 billion general allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs). In addition, the Fourth Amendment of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement has recently become effective, and will make available to SDR Department participants a special allocation of up to an additional SDR 21.5 billion (US$33 billion). Nearly US$115 billion of these combined allocations will go to emerging market and developing countries, including about US$20 billion to low-income countries (LICs), thereby providing an important boost to the reserves of countries with the greatest needs.