...Macro-Economics July 6, 2015 Assignment # 2 Introduction This research aims to highlight and focus on the Foreign Exchange Market as well as the Net International Reserves, their stabilizing methods and strategies, along with a discussion on the analysis and effects of the measures taken to attain success within the Jamaican economy. The foreign exchange market is defined as (main function) a market used for converting from one country’s currency to another using an exchange rate which determines the value of one country’s currency against another. The Jamaican foreign exchange market came to full liberalization in the 1990’s. Since then there has been much discussion on the efficiency of the market and the appropriateness of the foreign exchange rate. “The use of market microstructure models has become very popular in financial market research stemming from the inability of traditional macroeconomic models to adequately capture the short-term dynamics of financial markets” (Frankel and Froot, 1990).There have been concerns as to whether the foreign exchange rate correctly reflects the forces of supply and demand in the market. The role of the Bank of Jamaica when it pertains to foreign exchange market is market intervention, market surveillance and data collection and information dissemination; with particular attention paid to intervention. The secondary function of the foreign exchange market is to provide insurance against foreign exchange risk. Foreign exchange...
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...this system of trade paved the path for the introduction of ‘Money’and Money gave birth to the need to exchange different currency:- Foreign Currency trading. The origin of Foreign Exchange (Forex) trading traces its history to centuries ago. The Babylonians are credited with the first use of paper notes and receipts. However, during this phase of history Speculation hardly ever happened. During the middle ages, the introduction of a paper form of governmental I.O.U. gained acceptance. This type of I.O.U. was introduced more successfully through force than through persuasion.These paper bills represented transferable third-party payments of funds, making foreign currency exchange trading much easier for merchants and traders and causing these regional economies to flourish. These I.O.U’s have now become the basis of today's modern currencies. From its infantile stages during the Middle Ages to First World war, the forex markets were relatively stable and without much speculative activity. During this phase, most Central banks supported their currencies with convertibility to gold. This standard had a major weakness called the ‘boom-bust’ pattern. As an economy strengthened (Boom), it would import a great deal from out of the country until it ran down its gold reserves required to support its money; as a result, the money supply would diminish, interest rates escalate and economic activity slowed to the point of recession (Burst). Ultimately, prices of commodities had hit bottom...
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...Journal of Economics 2 (2006) 129-146 EXCHANGE RATE RISK MEASUREMENT AND MANAGEMENT: ISSUES AND APPROACHES FOR FIRMS MICHAEL G. PAPAIOANNOU, Ph.D. International Monetary Fund Abstract Measuring and managing exchange rate risk exposure is important for reducing a firm’s vulnerabilities from major exchange rate movements, which could adversely affect profit margins and the value of assets. This paper reviews the traditional types of exchange rate risk faced by firms, namely transaction, translation and economic risks, presents the VaR approach as the currently predominant method of measuring a firm’s exchange rate risk exposure, and examines the main advantages and disadvantages of various exchange rate risk management strategies, including tactical vs. strategical and passive vs. active hedging. In addition, it outlines a set of widely-accepted best practices in managing currency risk and presents some of the main hedging instruments in the OTC and exchange-traded markets. The paper also provides some data on the use of financial derivatives instruments, and hedging practices by US firms. JEL Classification: F31, G13, G15, G32, M21 Keywords: Financial Risk, Financial Management, Foreign Exchange Hedging, Corporate Hedging Practices Corresponding address: 700 19th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20431 e-mail: mpapaioannou@imf.org This paper draws heavily on various presentations on risk management while the author was the Director of Foreign Exchange Service of...
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...BOFIT Discussion Papers 19 • 2011 Zhichao Zhang, Nan Shi and Xiaoli Zhang China’s new exchange rate regime, optimal basket currency and currency diversification Bank of Finland, BOFIT Institute for Economies in Transition BOFIT Discussion Papers Editor-in-Chief Laura Solanko BOFIT Discussion Papers 19/2011 23.7.2011 Zhichao Zhang, Nan Shi and Xiaoli Zhang: China’s new exchange rate regime, optimal basket currency and currency diversification ISBN 978-952- 462-714-6 ISSN 1456-5889 (online) This paper can be downloaded without charge from http://www.bof.fi/bofit Suomen Pankki Helsinki 2011 BOFIT- Institute for Economies in Transition Bank of Finland BOFIT Discussion Papers 19/2011 Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Tiivistelmä ........................................................................................................................................... 4 1 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5 Theoretical model ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 3 Policy goal .................................................................................................................... 12 Trade...
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...Executive Summary ___________________________________________________________________________ The foreign exchange market does not have a physical market place called the foreign exchange market. It is a mechanism through which one country's currency can be exchange i.e. bought or sold for the currency of another country. The foreign exchange market does not have any geographic location. The market comprises of all foreign exchange traders who are connected to each other through out the world. They deal with each other through telephones, telexes and electronic systems. The foreign exchange market operates twenty four hours a day during the business week; the only time it is silent is after the New York market closes on Friday afternoon and before the Sydney market opens on Monday morning (which would be Sunday evening New York time). In the aftermath of the Asian crisis, which curbed and restricted offshore trading in regional currencies, most derivatives markets in Asia are still in their infancy. Financial institutions trying to introduce or transplant products from mature markets to those that are lesser developed are meeting with limited success. The RBI has ushered rupee derivatives trading into the country: it has formally allowed banks and corporate to hedge against interest rate risks through the use of interest rate swaps (IRS) and forward rate agreement (FRA). According to the guidelines issued by RBI there will be no restriction on the tenure and size of the...
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...Foreign Exchange Risk Management Michael Highfill Liberty University BUSI 620 – B05 LUO Dr. Mike Thirtle July 6, 2012 Foreign Exchange Risk Management Introduction Foreign exchange (FX) is a risk factor that must be considered by all firms that wish to enter, grow, and succeed in the global marketplace. Although most U.S. exporters prefer to sell their goods in U.S. dollars, creditworthy foreign buyers are increasingly demanding to pay in their local currencies (“Foreign Exchange Risk Management”, n.d.). Therefore, this currency exchange adds risk to any global trade that must be accounted for and managed, for a firm to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Definitions Foreign Exchange Risk Before we begin our discussion, we must define a working definition of foreign exchange risk. Global commerce is facilitated through foreign exchange markets. These markets affect global commerce in two ways. First, importers exchange their domestic currency for foreign currency, in order to purchase international goods. Second, multinational companies exchange profits earned in foreign currencies for domestic currency to use in their home nation. The foreign currency exchange market is made up of corporations, governments, and private individuals who trade international currencies among themselves (Bofah, n.d.a). The exchange rates for currency pairs such as the United States (U.S.) dollar and the Euro (USD/EUR)...
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...various exchange rate systems. DEFINITION OF EXCHANGE RATE Exchange rate is defined as the rate at which one currency may be converted into another. The exchange rate is used when simply converting one currency to another (such as for the purposes of travel to another country), or for engaging in speculation or trading in the foreign exchange market. There are a wide variety of factors which influence the exchange rate, such as interest rates,inflation, and the state of politics and the economy in each country, also called rate of exchange or foreign exchange rate or currency exchange rate. (1). FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM In a floating exchange rate system, governments and central banks do not participate in the market for foreign exchange. The relationship between governments and central banks on the one hand and currency markets on the other is much the same as the typical relationship between these institutions and stock markets. Governments may regulate stock markets to prevent fraud, but stock values themselves are left to float in the market. The U.S. government, for example, does not intervene in the stock market to influence stock prices. The concept of a completely free-floating exchange rate system is a theoretical one. In practice, all governments or central banks intervene in currency markets in an effort to influence exchange rates. Some countries, such as the United States, intervene to only a small degree, so that the notion of a free-floating exchange rate...
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...Unit 1 Week 1: The European Union, or EU, is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. Created after the Second World War, the partnership was to bring economic cooperation through trade and avoid conflict. The European Economic Community, or EEC, was created in 1958 which brought economic cooperation and a single market. The economic union developed into an organization spanning policy areas. The EEC changed names in 1993 to the EU. The EU bases its rules on a law that states everything it does has to be founded through treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by all member countries (How the EU works, 2013). By seeking to acquire a company in the EU, one would benefit from this union because it allows everyone within these countries to work and move freely within the countries and use a single form of currency, the euro, which saves the company from transactions costs. It will allow the company to expand its market. The advantages of expanding into the EU are the single form of currency, saving transaction fees, and the expansion of the company's market. The disadvantages of expanding into the EU are the different cultures, customs, and languages of each country will vary, causing some people to become unaware when they are conducting business what is being said, what should be done, and how to conduct themselves. The best way to overcome this is to hire local translators in each country who can help conduct the business meetings with the...
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...Foreign Currency & The Economy Author: Ashish Ghangrekar Abstract: This paper attempts to discuss about the relation between Foreign Currency & the Economy. The paper develops the correlation between foreign currency & the economy. It further goes on to discuss the various parameters that affect this correlation. Finally, a few hypotheses drawn from the discussion are presented at the end of the paper. Introduction: Foreign Exchange & foreign currency is the elastic link between various independent political states. The Central Bank of a country frames the monetary policy to maintain a desirable Foreign exchange rate & regulate the flow of foreign currency in an economy. Now let us understand the correlation & interplay between foreign currency & the various economic parameters. In a floating regime of exchange rates, the interest rates in the country are adjusted so as to vary its real exchange rates & also as a measure to control inflation. Therefore a developing capitalist country will have its Central Bank adopt the policy of keeping its interest rate as low as possible. This will enable the entrepreneurs & the various economic actors to obtain capital at a cheaper rate. It will also help to maintain a low real exchange rate & hence boost domestic exports. Growing exports will see a positive trade balance or a Current Account Surplus. With a current account surplus the country can make strategic investments in the foreign markets or acquire factories. This will result...
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...Reserve Currency? Abstract China’s economy is growing ever larger, but is that enough to get the Chinese Renminbi (more commonly known as Yuan) to be accepted as a global market currency? This paper will look into the liberalization, but with Chinese characteristics, of five determining factors in becoming a country who’s currency is a global reserve currency. These factors are as follows: economic size, macroeconomic policies, flexible exchange rates, financial market development, and finally having an open capital account, and will ultimately prove the China is not quite the rising economic power some believe it to be (citation, 2012). Market Liberalization… with Chinese Characteristics In China, it is currently the year of the dragon, a symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power. With this symbol of fortune and power many Chinese are hoping for a year of economic prosperity, especially for the growth of the Renminbi, or more commonly known as the Yuan. In recent years, China has maintained that it’s “special” economy is pursuing a “market economy, but with Chinese characteristics”. Some of these characteristics include encouraging more of an international use of the currency, while being famous for their inflexibility with exchange rates, and not fully opening up the economy to the free flow of capital. However, the Yuan’s acceptance as a reserve currency will be based on China’s economic size, macroeconomic policies, flexible exchange rates, financial...
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... using the Euro as a functional currency. Contents Contents 2 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 2. INTRODUCTION 3 2.1. HISTORY OF INSOMNIA PLC 3 2.2. SCOPE OF BUSINESS 3 2.3. CURRENT EXPOSURES 4 2.3.1. TRANSACTION EXPOSURE 4 2.3.2. ECONOMIC EXPOSURE 4 2.3.3. TRANSLATION EXPOSURE 4 2.4. HEDGING 5 3. EFFECTS OF UK JOINING EMU ON INSOMNIA PLC 5 3.1. COST SAVINGS ON CROSS-BORDER TRANSACTIONS 5 3.2. STABILITY OF PRICES 6 3.3. PRICE TRANSPARENCY 6 3.4. OTHER EFFECTS 6 4. USING EURO AS A FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY OF INSOMNIA PLC 7 5. CONCLUSION 8 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY 9 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY It has been found that UK joining EMU as well as accepting the Euro as a functional currency will bring more benefits to Insomnia plc than staying outside of the Economic and Monetary Union or continuing using Pound Sterling as a functional currency. Both of the choices will decrease the currency exchange rate fluctuation risk which was found to be the most significant to the company. Analysis were based mainly on academic articles, European Central Bank (ECB) publishing’s, and International Accounting Standards (IASs). 2. INTRODUCTION “The Economic and Monetary Union is an agreement between participating European nations to share a single currency, the Euro and a single economic policy with set conditions of fiscal responsibility. There are currently 27 member-states of varying degrees...
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...with ASEAN member currencies? Facts LECTURE: TRAN LINH DANG STUDENTS OF TC201DE01-0100 1. Phan Nguyễn Ngọc Xuân Mỹ 101537 2. Vũ Thị Hường 101574 3. Trương Linh Trang 101579 4. Nguyễn Đỗ Thiên Trang 093304 2012 – 2013 -------------(((((------------- SUBJECT INTRODUCTION TO BANKING AND FINANCIAL Value of VND compared with ASEAN member currencies? Facts LECTURE: TRAN LINH DANG STUDENTS OF TC201DE01-0100 1. Phan Nguyễn Ngọc Xuân Mỹ 101537 2. Vũ Thị Hường 101574 3. Trương Linh Trang 101579 4. Nguyễn Đỗ Thiên Trang 093304 Note for faculty: Date: ___/___/___ For the writer: (Signature & full name) 2012 – 2013 CONTENTS CONTENTS i INTRODUCTION ii I. Exchange rates 1 I 1. Exchange rates 1 I 2. Exchange rate regimes 2 I 3. Roles of exchange rates 3 II. Compare and contrast between the value of VND and the others of ASEAN 5 II 1. The exchange rates in Vietnam from 2008 to 2010 6 II 2. The exchange rates in Vietnam in 2011 8 III. Impacts on exchange rates 10 III 1. Balance of Trade 10 III 2. Balance of Payments 11 III 3. Monetary Policy 12 III 4. Differentials in Inflation 12 III 5. Differentials in Interest Rates 12 III 6. Public Debt 12 III 7. Speculation 13 III 8. Employment Outlook 13 III 9. Political Stability and Economic Performance 13 IV...
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...chapter is to help students understand what the international monetary system is and how the choice of system affects currency values. It also provides a historical background of the international monetary system. This enables students to gain perspective when trying to interpret the likely consequences of new policies in the area of international finance. This chapter describes how exchange rates are determined under four different mechanisms--free float, managed float, fixed-rate system, and target-zone system. Under the latter three systems, governments intervene in the currency markets in one form or another to affect the exchange rate. Key Points 1. Under the latter three systems, which involve varying degrees of central bank intervention, the real exchange rate is liable to change, with important implications for exchange risk management (as discussed in Chapters 9 through 11). 2. Regardless of the form of intervention, fixed rates don't remain fixed for long. Neither do floating rates. The basic reason that exchange rates don't stay fixed for long in either a fixed- or floating-rate system is that governments subordinate exchange rate considerations to domestic political considerations. 3. The gold standard is a specific type of fixed exchange rate system, one that required participating countries to maintain the value of their currencies in terms of gold. Calls for a new gold standard remind us of the fundamental lack of trust in fiat money due to the...
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...Abstract INTRODUCTION When first looking at an exchange rates, and foreign exchange, there are a few questions which must be considered. What factors affect the demand and supply of Australian dollars in the foreign exchange markets? Distinguish between the possible causes and effects of currency depreciation and a currency appreciation on the Australian economy. What forces have come into play, if any, in the past few years that have affected the value of the Australian dollar? In addition to looking further into those questions, it is helpful to know what the word Exchange Rate means; it is defined as, “The rate at which one unit of domestic currency is exchanged for a given amount of foreign currency.” A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Until 1971, the Australian dollar (AUD) was “pegged” to the British pound. This meant that the AUD rose or fell in line with the pound. In 1971, the AUD became pegged to the US dollar instead. These currencies were fixed currencies, which meant that the Australian currency would only change value when a major world currency also changed. This system lasted only until 1974 when the AUD became pegged to a trade-weighted selection of other currencies. This was still a fixed currency. In 1976 this selection of currencies became moveable. Small shifts were able to take place when needed. In 1983 the AUD became a floating currency. This means that the value of the dollar is determined by supply and demand. Initially, the Reserve...
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...exchange rate determination “Having endeavored to forecast exchange rates for more than half a century, I have understandably developed significant humility about my ability in this area…”[1] - Alan Greenspan Figure 1: Exchange Rate Determination [pic] Source: Exchange Rate Determination I. Short-Run Forecasting Tools Short-term changes in exchange rates are the most difficult to predict and are often determined based on bandwagon effects, overreaction to news, speculation, and technical analysis.[2] Trend-Following Behavior is the tendency for the market to follow a trend. In other words an increase in the exchange rate is more likely to be followed by another increase. Investor Sentiment is based on the consensus of the market. For example if the market is bullish on the dollar, then the dollar is likely to strengthen versus other currencies. The FX market is quite different from the world equity markets in one important aspect: transparency. In equity markets, rules ensure that volume and price data are readily available to all parties… this is NOT the case in FX markets. In fact large FX dealers are able to observe factors such as: shifts in risk appetite, liquidity needs, hedging demands, and institutional rebalancing.[3] Order Flow - there is evidence of a positive correlation between spot exchange rate movements and order flows in the inter-dealer market[4] and with movements in customer order flows.[5] Three explanations for the cause...
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