Non-linearities in the relation between the exchange rate and its fundamentals

We develop a simple theoretical model in which chartists and fundamentalists interact. The model predicts the existence of different regimes, and thus non-linearities in the link between the exchange rate and its fundamentals. We test the model empirically by adopting a Markov-switching vector error correction model. The results suggest the presence of non-linear mean reversion in the nominal exchange rate process. The implications are that different sets of macroeconomic fundamentals act as driving forces of the exchange rates during different time periods.