What drives supply and demand for currencies in the Forex market?
- Higher interest rates: Attract foreign investors seeking better returns.
- Strong economic data: High GDP growth, low unemployment, rising inflation signal a healthy economy.
- Trade surplus: Country exports more than it imports → foreigners need the local currency to pay for goods.
- Political & economic stability: Safe countries attract capital inflows.
- Central bank buying: Or positive market sentiment.
- Lower interest rates: Makes the currency less attractive.
- Weak economic data: Recession signals, high unemployment, slowing growth.
- Trade deficit: More imports than exports → locals sell local currency to buy foreign goods.
- Political instability or uncertainty: Capital flight (people sell and leave).
- Central bank selling or printing money (quantitative easing).
Strong economy + high rates + exports = higher demand → currency appreciates.
Weak economy + low rates + imports = higher supply → currency depreciates.
Demand from bank customers makes exchange rates move. The customers could be corporate or whatever but their transactions are also what make the rates move