Purpose of the Foreign Exchange Market
Purpose of the Foreign Exchange Market
By: Kofi Bofah
Foreign exchange transactions are central to global commerce. The foreign exchange market is the network of private citizens, corporations and government officials who trade overseas currencies among each other.
Beyond coordinating payments, foreign exchange rates and markets function as leading economic indicators. Investors and institutions analyze these foreign exchange market trends to create wealth and manage risks.
Identification
Consumers acquire foreign exchange so they can purchase overseas goods. Alternatively, businesses might receive foreign exchange and enter the market to convert that money back into domestic currency.
The foreign exchange market also serves the purpose of attracting investors. Investors diversify and increase their asset holdings with currency reserves.
Features
Foreign exchange rates describe the amount of another currency that one unit of a certain currency can buy. Because of their association with specific nations, foreign exchange rates gauge economic and political sentiment. Low exchange rates translate into weak demand for a currency, as foreign investors liquidate that country’s stocks, bonds and real estate.
At that point, foreigners might fear recession, or politics that are hostile to foreign investment. For example, high tax rates on foreign profits can cause foreigners to withdraw from a particular country.
Conversely, high exchange rates define strong economies and effective political regimes. Investors are then encouraged to trade for that currency and to purchase its home nation’s assets. The increased demand for the currency supports elevated exchange rates.
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