In this lesson summary review and remind yourself of the key terms and graphs related to the market for foreign exchange (FOREX).
Lesson summary
The foreign exchange market is like any other market insofar as something is being bought and sold. However, the foreign exchange market is unique in two ways:
- A currency is being bought and sold, rather than a good or service
- The currency being bought and sold is being bought with a different currency.
Key Terms
Key term | Definition |
---|
exchange rate | the price of one currency in terms of another currency; for example, if the exchange rate for the Euro (€) is 132 Yen (), that means that each Euro that is purchased will cost 132 yen. |
foreign exchange market | a market in which one currency is exchanged for another currency; for example, in the market for Euros, the Euro is being bought and sold, and is being paid for using another currency, such as the yen. |
demand for currency | a description of the willingness to buy a currency based on its exchange rate; for example, as the exchange rate for Euros increases, the quantity demanded of Euros decreases. |
appreciate | when the value of a currency increases relative to another currency; a currency appreciates when you need more of another currency to buy a single unit of a currency. |
depreciate | when the value of a currency decreases relative to another currency; a currency depreciates when you need less of another currency to buy a single unit of a currency. |
floating exchange rates | when the exchange rate of currencies are determined in free markets by the interaction of supply and demand |
Key takeaways
Why the demand for a currency is downward sloping
When the exchange rate of a currency increases, other countries will want less of that currency. When a currency appreciates (in other words, the exchange rate increases), then the price of goods in the country whose currency has appreciated are now relatively more expensive than those in other countries. Since those goods are more expensive, less is imported from those countries, and therefore less of that currency is needed.
For example, suppose the price of a cell phone in the U.S. is , and the current exchange rate in Japan is 90 ¥ per dollar. That means that it takes: to buy the same cell phone in Japan. If two cell phones are imported into Japan, then a total of 800 US dollars will be needed to buy these phones.
However, if the dollar appreciates so that it now takes to buy a dollar, the same cell phone now costs . Because cell phones are more expensive, only one is imported into Japan from the United States, so the quantity of US dollars that Japan wants will fall from to .
The equilibrium exchange rate is the interaction of the supply of a currency and the demand for a currency
As in any market, the foreign exchange market will be in equilibrium when the quantity supplied of a currency is equal to the quantity demanded of a currency. If the market has a surplus or a shortage, the exchange rate will adjust until an equilibrium is achieved.
For example, suppose Westeros is a trading partner of Hamsterville, and the currency of Westeros is the Westeros Gold Dragon (). Currently, the exchange rate is per Hamsterville snark (). At this exchange rate, Hamsterville wants to sell , but Westeros only wants to buy . Therefore, there is a surplus of .
Like any surplus, this will place downward pressure on the price. If the exchange rate is flexible, then the exchange rate will decrease until the quantity supplied is equal to the quantity demanded.
Key Graphical Models
Suppose the United States and Japan are trading partners. Japan’s currency is the Yen () and United States’ currency is the U.S. dollar (). We can represent the market for the U.S. Dollar in the foreign exchange market, as shown here:
Common misperceptions
We are used to thinking about buying things with a currency, so many new learners are confused about what the price should be in the market for a currency. Buthe price of an orange is never given in oranges; it’s given in some other currency. Just like an orange, a dollar can’t be bought with itself, but instead it needs to be bought with some other currency.
A common misperception is to confuse 1) the things that cause shifts in the supply or demand of a currency with 2) changes in quantity supplied or quantity demanded. To keep this straight, ask yourself “why is this change happening?” If a change is happening in response to a change in the exchange rate, then you are moving along a curve. If a change is happening in response to something else, the entire curve shifts.
It might seem like a time saver to take short-cuts on labeling graphs, but this is never a good idea. Take your time labeling the foreign exchange market carefully using the elements of a market:
Demand - the demand for the currency that is being exchanged
- Supply - the supply of the currency that is being exchanged
- Quantity - the quantity of the currency that is being exchanged
- Price - some other currency that is being used to buy the currency that is being exchanged
FAQs
The foreign exchange market is an over-the-counter global market where the buying and selling of global currencies occur, determining their exchange rates.
What shifts demand in the foreign exchange market? ›
Some factors that influence the demand for a country's exports include price levels (lower price levels, higher demand), foreign national income (more foreign income, more demand), and foreign consumers' tastes and preferences. The second determinant of demand is interest rates.
What does the foreign exchange graph show? ›
Key Takeaways
A forex chart is the graphical representation of the relative price performance of a currency pair or pairs. Technical analysts and day traders look to such charts for signals and patterns to inform their trading decisions.
How does an exchange rate work? ›
An exchange rate is the rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another currency. Most exchange rates are defined as floating. Their values rise or fall based on supply and demand in the foreign exchange market. Some exchange rates are pegged or fixed to the value of a specific country's currency.
What is the conclusion of the foreign exchange market? ›
In conclusion, the foreign exchange market is a dynamic and essential component of the global financial system. It serves as a platform for the exchange of currencies between countries, facilitating international trade and investment.
What is the foreign exchange market simplified? ›
a market in which one currency is exchanged for another currency; for example, in the market for Euros, the Euro is being bought and sold, and is being paid for using another currency, such as the yen.
What is the point of the foreign exchange market? ›
The main functions of the market are to (1) facilitate currency conversion, (2) provide instruments to manage foreign exchange risk (such as forward exchange), and (3) allow investors to speculate in the market for profit.
What is foreign exchange explained simply? ›
Forex trading, also known as foreign exchange or FX trading, is the conversion of one currency into another. FX is one of the most actively traded markets in the world, with individuals, companies and banks carrying out around $6.6 trillion worth of forex transactions every single day.
How does foreign exchange affect the economy? ›
The exchange rate affects the real economy most directly through changes in the demand for exports and imports. A real depreciation of the domestic currency makes exports more competitive abroad and imports less competitive domestically, thereby increasing demand for domestically produced goods.
What is the strongest currency in the world? ›
1. Kuwaiti dinar. Known as the strongest currency in the world, the Kuwaiti dinar or KWD was introduced in 1960 and was initially equivalent to one pound sterling. Kuwait is a small country that is nestled between Iraq and Saudi Arabia whose wealth has been driven largely by its large global exports of oil.
A currency's strength is determined by the interaction of a variety of local and international factors such as the demand and supply in the foreign exchange markets; the interest rates of the central bank; the inflation and growth in the domestic economy; and the country's balance of trade.
Is the USD stronger than the euro? ›
Today, in July 2022, 1 Euro = 1.01 USD, meaning that the USD is catching up. The Euro, in the long run, remains strong as it is set by policies of the European Central Bank. This body sets policies for the whole Eurozone. As it is an independent entity, it is not bound by any government.
What is the foreign market in simple terms? ›
Foreign market
Foreign markets are any markets outside of a company's own country. Selling in foreign markets involves dealing with different languages, cultures, laws, rules, regulations and requirements.
What is the forex market overview? ›
The forex market allows participants, including banks, funds, and individuals to buy, sell or exchange currencies for both hedging and speculative purposes. The forex market operates 24 hours, five days a week, and handles trillions of dollars in daily trading. The forex market is an over-the-counter (OTC) market.