• In floating exchange rate systems, the market value of a currency is determined by the demand for and supply of a currency
• Most currency dealing is speculative but trade and investment decisions also have a role to play

Some of the key factors that can affect a currency are as follows:

1. Trade balances – countries that have strong trade and current account surpluses tend (ceteris paribus) to see their currencies appreciate as money flows into the circular flow from exports of goods and services and from investment income. This increases the demand for a currency and brings about an appreciation in its value. Persistent trade deficits can lead to currency depreciation.
2. Foreign direct investment (FDI) – an economy that attracts high net inflows of capital investment from overseas will see an increase in currency demand and a rising exchange rate.
3. Portfolio investment – much currency trading is used to finance cross-border portfolio investment, for example investors putting their funds into stocks and shares, government bonds and property. Strong inflows of portfolio investment from overseas can cause a currency to appreciate
4. Interest rate differentials - if a country’s interest rates are higher than rates on offer in other countries then ceteris paribus we expect to see an inflow of currency into banks and other financial institutions. The higher the interest rate differential, the greater is the incentive for funds to flow across international boundaries and into the economy with the higher interest rates. Countries offering high interest rates can expect to see ‘hot money’ flowing across the currency markets and causing an appreciation of the exchange rate.

There are inevitable risks in shifting funds across international markets. What might happen to the currency if you leave $200,000 worth of cash in a UK bank account?

What happens to the value of your investment if sterling depreciates against the US dollar? What are the risks in exchanging a similar value of US dollars and putting it into the UK stock market or into government bonds? Investors often consider the risk-adjusted relative rate of return from different financial investments