A note on the performance of foreign exchange forecasters in a portfolio framework

Abstract This note investigates the ability of 22 currency forecasters to predict movements in three major exchange rates. In particular, it examines the profitability of portfolios of forward market positions constructed on the basis of the predictions of each forecaster. The key findings of the paper are that just one panel member proves significantly profitable to follow, and that investing on the basis of the naive alternative prediction of ‘no change’ produces high, though volatile, profits. We conclude that the majority of currency analysts have little ability to predict the future.