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.
How do exchange rates work for dummies? ›
The exchange rate gives the relative value of one currency against another currency. An exchange rate GBP/USD of two, for example, indicates that one pound will buy two U.S. dollars.
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.
How does the exchange rate graph work? ›
The vertical axis shows the exchange rate for U.S. dollars, which in this case is measured in pesos. The horizontal axis shows the quantity of U.S. dollars being traded in the foreign exchange market each day.
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.
How to explain exchange rates to kids? ›
The exchange rate of a currency is how much of one currency can be bought for each unit of another currency. A currency appreciates if it takes more of another currency to buy it, and depreciates if it takes less of another currency to buy it.
What is a simple formula to understand exchange rate? ›
Know the country's exchange rate before you travel – these are usually posted online and at banks, airports and currency exchange shops. If you don't know the exchange rate, you can use this formula: starting amount (base currency) / ending amount (foreign currency) = exchange rate.
What is the simple explanation of currency exchange rate? ›
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.
Who would demand U.S. dollars in the foreign exchange market? ›
Answer and Explanation: Of the examples provided, only Europeans who want to buy U.S. goods, services, and assets will demand dollars in the foreign exchange market.
Introduction. The foreign exchange market (FX market) is where participants come to buy and sell foreign currencies (e.g., foreign exchange rates, currencies, etc.). Foreign exchange trading occurs around the clock and throughout all global markets.
Why do people demand foreign exchange? ›
Purchase of assets abroad: There is a demand for foreign exchange to make payments for the purchase of assets like land, shares, bonds, etc., abroad. Speculation: When people earn money from the appreciation of currency it is called speculation. For this purpose, they need foreign exchange.
Where is the best place to exchange currency? ›
Local banks and credit unions usually offer the best rates. Major banks, such as Chase or Bank of America, often offer the added benefit of having ATMs overseas. Online peer-to-peer foreign currency exchanges. Online bureaus or currency converters, such as Travelex, provide convenient foreign exchange services.
What controls the exchange rate? ›
The monetary authority manages its exchange rate by intervening (buying and selling currency) in the foreign exchange market to minimise fluctuations and keep the currency close to its target (or within its target band).
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 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 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.
What is the foreign exchange market in layman terms? ›
It is where different currencies are bought and sold, with the exchange rate determining the value of each currency relative to another.
