From Carry Trades to Trade Credit: Financial Intermediation by Non-Financial Corporations

We use unique firm-level data from Mexico to document that non-financial corporations engage in carry trades by borrowing in foreign currency (FX) and lending in domestic currency, largely in the form of trade credit, accumulating currency risk in the process. We show at a quarterly frequency that the practice of borrowing in FX and extending trade credit is more prevalent when foreign currency borrowing is relatively cheaper than local currency borrowing, and it is associated with expansions in both gross trade credit and sales. Firms that were more active in carry-trades, accumulating currency risk, experienced larger reductions in investment and profits following a large depreciation event. Nevertheless, their extension of trade credit remained stable, insulating their trading partners from the shock. A firm-level panel for 20 emerging countries provide external validity for the link between carry trades and trade credit.