Lecture 3 - Foreign Exchange Rates

Continued from lecture 2

Nominal exchange rate (symbolized by e) is the relative exchange rate of two currencies. You need to make sure which one you're using as numerator and which is denominator.

By convention, we always put the US$ in the denominator.

Euro/$ = 0.74 in April 2007; but in April 2008, it's 0.63 Euro/$! This drop indicates that dollar has become "cheaper" (or weaker) relative to the Euro, and euros have become more expensive relative to the US$. We call this US$ depreciation against Euros. Euros have appreciated against the US$.

Some currencies have actually depreciated against the US$, but they're hard to find.

At home, confirm that depreciated dollar makes Japanese exports in the US more expensive (in dollars).

Other things being equal - ceteris paribus. Ignores the chain reactions in the economy.

Robert Rubin, Larry Sommers - "Strong dollar is in the interest of the US." But, why?