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Forecasting Exchange Rates. Two Approaches to Forecasting. Fundamental Analysis Examines economic relationships and financial data to arrive at a forecast. Short term horizons: Asset Choice Model Long term horizons: Parity Models Technical Analysis
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Two Approaches to Forecasting • Fundamental Analysis • Examines economic relationships and financial data to arrive at a forecast. • Short term horizons: Asset Choice Model • Long term horizons: Parity Models • Technical Analysis • Relies on historical price patterns to arrive at a forecast. • Generally very short term horizons
Fundamental Analysis: Short Trerm • Asset Choice: • Examines why one currency might be preferred over others. Variables include: • Relative interest rates (current and anticipated) • Political/country risk • Safe haven effects • Carry trade strategies and carry trade unwinds • Essentially, trying to identify why the demand for a currency will change.
Fundamental Analysis: Long Term • Parity Models • Through these models one attempts to calculate an “equilibrium” exchange rate in the future. • Analysis built on “long standing” economic theories of exchange rate determination. • Purchasing Power Parity Model • International Fisher Effect
Purchasing Power Parity • One of the oldest exchange rate models. • Assumes that exchange rates will change to offset relative prices levels between countries. • Countries with relatively high rates of inflation will show currency depreciation • Countries with relatively low rates of inflation will experience currency appreciation • In equilibrium, the amount of depreciation (or appreciation) will be equal to the inflation differential.
Purchasing Power Parity Example • Assume: • Spot GBP/USD: $1.80 • Forecasted UK rate of inflation (annualized) for the next 12 months: 2.5% • Forecasted US rate of inflation (annualized) for the next 12 months: 1.0% • PPP Spot GBP/USD Forecast • 1 year change in GBP: $1.80 x .015 = 0.027. • 1 year spot GBP: $1.80 - .027 = $1.773 • 6 month GBP: $1.80 – (0.027/2) = $1.80 – 0.0135 = $1.7865
Purchasing Power Parity Example • Assume: • Spot USD/CAD: 1.20 • Forecasted CAD rate of inflation (annualized) for the next 12 months: .5% • Forecasted US rate of inflation (annualized) for the next 12 months: 2.5% • PPP Spot USD/CAD Forecast • 1 year change in CAD: 1.20 x .020 = 0.024. • 1 year spot CAD: 1.20 - 0.024 = 1.176 • 6 month CAD: 1.20 – (.024/2) = 1.20 - .012 = 1.188
International Fisher Effect • Assume that exchange rates will change in direct proportion to relative differences in long term interest rates. • Assumes that long term interest rates capture the market’s expectation for inflation. • Countries with relatively high rates of long term interest rates (i.e., high inflation) will show currency depreciation. • Countries with relatively low rates of long term interest rates (i.e., low inflation) will show currency appreciation. • In equilibrium, the amount of depreciation (or appreciation) will be equal to the long term interest rate differential.
International Fisher Effect Example • Assume: • Spot EUR/USD = $1.50 • Current 1 year German Government Bond rate = 2.15% • Current 1 year U.S. Government Bond rate = 4.5% • IFE Spot EUR/USD Forecast • 1 year change in EUR = $1.50 x 0.0235 = 0.03525 • 1 year spot EUR = $1.50 + .03525 = $1.53525
International Fisher Effect Example • Assume: • Spot USD/JPY = 98.00 • Current 1 year Japanese Government Bond rate = 0.5% • Current 1 year U.S. Government Bond rate = 4.5% • IFE Spot USD/JPY Forecast • 1 year change in JPY = 98.00 x 0.04 = 3.92 • 1 year spot JPY = 98.00 - 3.92 = 94.08
Technical Analysis • Uses charts and price patterns to forecast future moves in spot exchange rates. • Looks for price patterns that have historically signed a future move. • Assume historical relationship will result in similar moves in the future. • Not interested in “explaining” the source of the expected future move. • Not interested in financial information or news.
Technical Analysis • Go to FXStreet.com to review some technical patterns. • http://www.fxstreet.com/rates-charts/forex-charts/