1. Foreign Exchange What is the foreign exchange rate? What is the foreign exchange market? What is the foreign exchange organization? Who are the participants? - importers/exporters, investors, tourists, banks, dealers, brokers, speculators Why use the foreign exchange markets? - to hedge currency risk, to diversify portfolios, to make money

2. Demand for the Dollar ($) Investment Currency Reserve Currency Transaction Currency Invoice Currency Intervention Currency

3. Foreign Exchange Definitions Convertibility – the degree that one currency can be exchanged for another one without difficulty Hard Currency – is a currency that is convertible and is supported by a strong economy Spot Rate – an exchange rate quoted for immediate delivery or within 2 business days Forward Rate – an exchange rate quoted for today that is intended for use in the future. It is a verbal agreement or a binding contract

4. Foreign Exchange Definitions Continued Value Rate – is the date of settlement for the foreign exchange transactions Bid price – the price the dealer is willing to buy a currency at Offer price/ ask price – is the price the dealer sells currency for Spread – is the difference between the buy and sell price from the dealer’s point of view.

5. Foreign Exchange Definitions Continued Direct Quote – the number of units of a domestic currency for one unit of foreign currency Indirect Quote – the number of units of a foreign currency for one unit of a domestic currency Spread (forward) – is either a discount or a premium - when the forward rate is higher than the spot rate selling at a premium - when the forward rate is lower than the spot rate selling at a discount

6. Balance of Payments B of P – is a record of the value of all economic transactions between residents of a country Consists of the following accounts: Merchandise Trade Bal. Services Unilateral Transfers + Current Accounts