The rate of inflation in a country can have a major impact on the value of the country's currency and the rates of foreign exchange it has with the currencies of other nations; however, inflation is just one factor among many that combine to influence a country's exchange rate.
Inflation is more likely to have a significant negative effect, rather than a significant positive effect, on a currency's value and foreign exchange rate. A very low rate of inflation does not guarantee a favorable exchange rate for a country, but an extremely high inflation rate is very likely to impact the country's exchange rates with other nations negatively. Below, we discuss some of the different factors that affect currency values and exchange rates.
Key Takeaways
- The most powerful determiner of value and the exchange rate of a nation's currency is the perceived desirability of that currency.
- In general, when inflation is high, it makes a currency weaker, suppressing investment, and thus negatively impacting the exchange rate. When inflation is low, a currency is stronger, improving its exchange rate.
- Other factors, such as economic growth, the balance of trade (which reflects the level of demand for the country's goods and services), interest rates, and the country's debt level all influence the value of a given currency.
Inflation and Interest Rates
Inflation is closely related to interest rates, which can influence exchange rates. Countries attempt to balance interest rates and inflation, but the interrelationship between the two is complex and often difficult to manage.
Low-interest rates spur consumer spending and economic growth, and generally, they have positive influences on currency value. If consumer spending increases to the point where demand exceeds supply, inflation may ensue, which is not necessarily a bad outcome.
But low-interest rates do not commonly attract foreign investment. Higher interest rates tend to attract foreign investment, which is likely to increase the demand for a country's currency. It is a fine balance and so is the resulting impact on a country's exchange rate.
In general, when inflation is high, this weakens a currency because buying power is reduced. Goods are more expensive and this turns investors away from doing business. When the inverse happens, when inflation is low, more money flows into the country, and the currency becomes more valuable as its buying power increases, improving its exchange rate.
Desirability and Safety
The ultimate determination of the value and exchange rate of a nation's currency is the perceived desirability of holding that nation's currency. That perception is influenced by a host of economic factors, such as the stability of a nation's government and economy. Investors' first consideration in regard to currency, before whatever profits they may realize, is the safety of holding cash assets in the currency.
If a country is perceived as politically or economically unstable, or if there is any significant possibility of a sudden devaluation or other change in the value of the country's currency, investors tend to shy away from the currency and are reluctant to hold it for significant periods or in large amounts.
Other Factors
Beyond the essential perceived safety of a nation's currency, numerous other factors besides inflation can impact the exchange rate for the currency. Such factors as a country's rate of economic growth, its balance of trade (which reflects the level of demand for the country's goods and services), interest rates, and the country's debt level are all factors that influence the value of a given currency.
Investors monitor a country's leading economic indicators to help determine exchange rates. Which one of many possible influences on exchange rates predominates is variable and subject to change.
At one point in time, a country's interest rates may be the overriding factor in determining the demand for a currency. At another point in time, inflation or economic growth can be a primary factor.
Exchange rates are relative, especially in the modern world of fiat currencies where virtually no currencies have any intrinsic value, say, as defined in terms of gold, for which the currency could be exchanged.
The only value any country's currency has is its perceived value relative to the currency of other countries or its domestic purchasing power. This situation can influence the effect that inputs—such as inflation—have on a country's exchange rate.
For example, a country may have an inflation rate that is generally considered high by economists, but if it is still lower than that of another country, the relative value of its currency can be higher than that of the other country's currency.
Do Interest Rates Affect a Nation’s Exchange Rate With Other Currencies?
In theory, yes. Interest rate differences between countries will tend to affect the exchange rates of their currencies relative to one another. This is due to what is known as purchasing power parity (PPP) and interest rate parity. Parity states that the prices of goods should be the same everywhere (the law of one price) once interest rates and currency exchange rates are factored in. If interest rates rise in Country A and decline in Country B, people may want to lend in Country A money and borrow in Country B money. Here, the currency of Country A should appreciate versus Country B.
Does Relative Inflation Impact Interest Rates and Exchange Rates?
Yes. Since inflation can be thought of as a decline in the value of money, when inflation increases, the money in that economy will tend to depreciate relative to other currencies. At the same time, the central bank in the country experiencing inflation may raise interest rates to mitigate the effect of rising prices, which could also counteract and strengthen the currency.
Do High or Low Inflation Rates Affect Currency Exchange Rates?
Typically, high inflation has been more of a concern in international currency markets than low inflation, weakening the currency and its exchange rate.
Does Inflation Depreciate Currency?
In general, inflation tends to devalue a currency since inflation can be equated with a decrease in a currency's buying power. As a result, countries experiencing high inflation tend to also see their currencies weaken relative to other currencies.
The Bottom Line
The value of a currency and its exchange rate depends on the demand for that currency. Many factors affect the demand for a currency, including the political stability of the nation, the balance of trade, inflation, and interest rates.
Generally, high inflation weakens a currency and, therefore, weakens its exchange rate. When inflation is low, the opposite is true.
