Overview of Exchange Rates

Exchange rates tell us how valuable a country‘s currency is against other currencies. In other words, a country’s currency exchange rate is a rate at which its currency is exchanged for another countrys currency. The higher the currency rate, the cheaper the imports are. If exports become more expensive, it can reduce the competitiveness of national goods and result in a trade imbalance. In contrast, lower exchange rates encourage exports and keep the trade balance positive.

Economic Data

Economic data serve as a primary indicator of a countrys foreign exchange rates. Analyzing the economic data of a country can help you figure out where the economy is heading.

Types of Economic Data

Economic data is divided into three categories: leading, coincident, and lagging.

• Leading data indicates the future economic changes that are likely to happen. This type of data is very reliable in making short-term predictions since they usually change before the economy does.

• Coincident data contribute to a better understanding of the current state of an economy in a particular area because they are visible at the same time as the changes they indicate.

• Lagging data usually appear after the change in the economy. The most useful use of lag data is to confirm specific patterns. One can predict economic conditions based on patterns, but lagging data cant be used to make predictions.

Key Economic Data That Influence Exchange Rates

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

GDP is a lagging data indicator. It is one of the primary data indicators used for evaluating the health of an economy. This data represents economic growth and the size of the economy.

GDP figures allow us to show or study the percentage change from the previous quarter or year. For example, when the GDP of a country is up 4% in 2021, that means the economy of the country has grown by 4% since the previous measure of GDP in 2020. An annual GDP figure is considered one of the best indicators of the economy‘s size and growth. An increase in GDP is a good sign, as it means that businesses are making more money. It also suggests that living standards have improved in that country. In case GDP is declining, it’s vice versa.

GDP fluctuations can also be influenced by the comparison between one quarters GDP figure to the previous quarter, in addition to what economists expect for this quarter.

2. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

CPI is also a lagging data indicator. Investors and economists use this data to track the changes in the prices of goods and services purchased by the citizens of a country. CPI is simply a measure of changes in the costs of living. Social Security taxes, income, investments in stocks, bonds, or life insurance do not enter into the CPI calculation. It does, however, include all sales taxes applicable to the purchase of those goods.

The rate of inflation is measured by comparing the prices of goods and services. An increase in CPI indicates that the countrys currency is losing its purchasing power and value.

3. Unemployment Data

Unemployment, a lagging data indicator, measures the number of jobs lost or created in the previous month as well as the percentage of citizens who are unemployed. Jobs created or lost in a month indicate economic health, which can have a significant impact on the currency value. If businesses hire more employees, it reflects good economic performance. With more and more people being employed, it can be predicted that people will have more money to spend, resulting in an increase in the countrys economy.

In contrast, an unexpected increase in unemployment or decline in employment rate can lead to a downward trend in market prices and affect the currency exchange rate. This may also indicate that employers cannot afford to hire additional employees.

4. Producer Price Index (PPI)

PPI is the best example of a coincident data indicator. PPI tracks changes in prices in all goods-producing sectors that comprise mining, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, and fishing. PPI also tracks price changes in a growing number of non-goods-producing sectors. The report includes data on the cost of finished goods, intermediate goods, and crude goods. It gathers data each month, and prices from thousands of establishments are compiled for evaluation.

PPI is an imperative data indicator as it is the first measure of inflation available in the month. This index captures price changes on a wholesale level before they appear on a retail level.

5. Trade Balance

Trade Balance is another lagging indicator. A countrys trade balance is the difference between its imports and exports and reveals whether there is a deficit or surplus in trade. If more money is coming into the country than is leaving, it is referred to as a trade surplus. If more money leaves the country than it comes in, it would be a trade deficit. Trade deficits can result in significant domestic debt.

As a result of a large trade deficit, the local currency can de-value over time because it leads to significant debt. Additionally, this could also cause severe financial hardship for future generations, as they will be required to repay this debt.

6.The Stock Market

The stock market is also a leading data indicator. Despite not being the most important indicator, it is the first indicator that most people look at. Share prices are partly determined by what investors expect companies will earn. According to the stock market, earnings estimates can be a good indicator of the economys direction.

For example, a declining market could be a hint of lower earnings for companies, and a recession could be on the way. In contrast, an upward trend may indicate higher earnings estimates and a healthy economy as a whole.

Before making any investment decisions, it is crucial to analyze economic data carefully. Keeping up with these data indicators will do wonders for your portfolio.

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Original Article: Key Economic Data That Influence Exchange Rates

Disclaimer: This post is from Aximdaily and it is considered a marketing publication and does not constitute investment advice or research. Its content represents the general views of our editors and does not consider individual readers personal circumstances, investment experience, or current financial situation.