Asymmetric international risk sharing and the business cycle

International risk sharing in OECD countries weakens during domestic recessions, when its role is most needed. Instead, no significant changes emerge during boom periods or in relation to the global business cycle. The asymmetry in the risk sharing response is driven mainly by dis-smoothing effects in the capital market channel and the credit market channel. Specifically, interest payments to abroad and credit constraints of households increase during domestic recessions, limiting the smoothing role of risk sharing channels. However, countries with more internationally integrated financial markets and corporate disclosure can mitigate the dis-smoothing effects of these two channels and thus the asymmetry in international risk sharing. These findings contribute to rationalizing heterogeneous results in the literature on the impact of globalization and financial frictions on international risk sharing. • International risk sharing among OECD countries weakens during domestic recessions, when its role is most needed. • The asymmetry in the risk sharing response to cyclical fluctuations is driven mainly by dis-smoothing effects in the capital market channel and the credit market channel. Specifically, interest payments to abroad and credit constraints of households increase during domestic recessions, limiting the smoothing role of risk sharing channels. • However, countries with more internationally integrated financial markets and corporate disclosure can mitigate the dis-smoothing effects of these two channels and thus the asymmetry in international risk sharing.