Currency fluctuations play a significant role in how a country’s economy builds up. It’s a natural outcome of how the exchange rate floats up and down in value. Many factors can influence the exchange rates, including the economic performance, the outlook of inflation, and inters rate differential from other countries.
A currency exchange rate is mainly determined by its overall weaknesses and strengths in the economy; this can constantly change with national banks suffering at large.
These are the ways in which currency fluctuation mainly affects the economy.
Merchandise Trade
Merchandise trade is a nation’s exports and imports, and it’s heavily influenced by inflation. A weaker currency makes imports more expensive and makes exports cheaper for overseas customers to buy. A weak or strong currency can potentially benefit a nation’s trade surplus and deficit.
Capital Flow
Foreign capital is mostly more prominent in countries with stronger governments. A strong economy and stable currency fluctuation can also introduce capital flow. To get a strong flow of investments from other countries, a nation needs to focus intensely on the stability of its currency.
Inflation
A bad currency can easily cause imported inflation for large importers countries. Significant declines in the domestic currency can easily result in a drop of 25% or more in inflation. Getting back to the original inflation can thus be challenging to get to and maintain. Inflation is a widely affected factor in currency fluctuations in the economy.
Interest Rates
Exchange rates are the most critical factors for central banks with monetary policy intact. A strong domestic currency can drag the economy to achieve great results, especially with a tighter monetary policy such as higher interest rates. If the domestic currency is strong, the monetary policy should not be tightened due to investors seeking higher fetching investment.
With all these factors in mind, it is clear how currency fluctuation can affect economic growth and should be considered when investing, importing, or exporting.