Exchange rate

In the world of finance, the rate at which one currency will be exchanged for another currency is referred to as an exchange rate. There are a few different types of currencies, the most frequent of which are national currencies. However, currencies may also be sub-national, as is the situation with Hong Kong, or supra-national, as is the case with the euro.
Another way to think about the worth of the currency of one nation in comparison to that of another is by referring to the exchange rate. For instance, if the rate of exchange between two banks is 114 Japanese yen to one United States dollar, this indicates that 114 yen will be exchanged for one dollar or that one dollar will be exchanged for 114 yen. In this instance, the price of one dollar in respect to one yen is said to be 114 yen; an analogous expression would be to state that the price of one yen in relation to one dollar is $1/114.
The system of exchange rates that will be used for a certain nation's currency is set by each nation individually. A currency, for instance, might either be free-floating or pegged (fixed), or it could be a combination of the two. Exchange rates are susceptible to specific restrictions and limitations that may be imposed by governments. Currency is another factor that may make or break a country's economy. Regarding the ideal level of the national exchange rate, the academic literature cannot reach a consensus (unlike on the subject of trade where free trade is considered optimal). Instead, exchange rate regimes at the national level are reflective of political reasons.
The foreign exchange market is where exchange rates are established under floating exchange rate regimes. This market is available to a broad variety of buyers and sellers, and currency trading takes place continuously on this market: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the exception of weekends. The spot exchange rate is the rate that is in effect at the moment, while the forward exchange rate is the rate that is quoted and traded today but for which delivery and payment will take place at a predetermined time in the future.
Money dealers in the retail foreign exchange market will provide a variety of purchasing and selling prices depending on the market conditions. The majority of transactions are conducted in or using the regional currency. The rate at which money dealers are willing to acquire foreign currency is referred to as the purchasing rate, and the rate at which they are willing to sell that currency is referred to as the selling rate. The rates that are being offered will include an allowance for a dealer's margin (or profit) in trading; alternatively, the margin may be recovered as a commission or in some other manner. It is possible to get a quotation with a different rate for cash transactions, document transactions, and electronic transfers. The justification given for the higher rate that applies to documented transactions is that it compensates for the extra time and money that is required to clear the document. On the other hand, cash is instantly accessible for resale, but it comes with fees associated with its storage, transportation, and security, in addition to the cost of having money tied up in a stock of banknotes (bills).
Category:Currency
Category:Foreign exchange market
Category:International macroeconomics
Category:Purchasing power