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The Foreign Exchange Market & Exchange Rate

In: Business and Management

Submitted By polin1983
Words 4258
Pages 18
Introduction

The term market has been interpreted in Economics as the place where both the buyers as well as the sellers meet and they buy and or sell goods. The foreign exchange market is a place where the transactions in foreign exchange are conducted. In practical world the external transaction requires the use of foreign purchasing power i.e. foreign currency. The foreign exchange market facilitates such transactions by performing number of functions.

Definitions of Foreign Exchange Market

According to Paul Einzig, "The foreign exchange market is the system in which the conversion of one national currency in to another takes place with transferring money from one country to another."
According to Kindleberger, "It is place where foreign moneys are bought and sold."
In simple words, the foreign exchange market is a market in which national currencies are bought and sold against one another. There are large numbers of foreign transactions such as buying goods abroad, visiting foreign country for any purpose. Corresponding nation in whose currency the transaction is to be fulfilled. The foreign exchange market provides the foreign currency against any national currency. However, it is to be understood that unlike other markets, this market is not restricted to any particular country or any geographic area. There are large numbers of dealers' instruments such as exchange bills, bank drafts, telegraphic transfers (TT), etc. There are certain other dealers such as brokers, acceptance houses as well as the central bank and treasury of the nation.
Functions of Foreign Exchange Market

a) Transfer Function: As mentioned above, the foreign exchange markets are exchange markets engaged in transferring the purchasing power between two nations and two currencies. It is prime function of this market. In simple terms, it is conversion of one currency into another

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