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(a)
(i)
2010
3246
2.5
6.78
118.7
13.2
3.73
1.84
51.7
%
36.0
39.1
13.5
38.4
29.6
34.9
40.8
13.3
35
27.3
33.9
46
13.4
26.7
22.3
35
45.4
13.4
29.6
25.6
Source: Various
Describe the trend in Chinas real effective exchange rate between 2007 and 2010.
[2]
(ii
)
With reference to Table 4, is the yuan undervalued or overvalued against the U.S. dollar? Explain.
This question tests candidates understanding of the term undervaluation (See Chap #19 Bee Qn) and
ability to select and process information, specifically to calculate the PPP exchange rate using the Big Mac
index as an approximate value.
Identification [1]: The yuan is undervalued against the US$. [1]
Reason and reasoning using evidence in Table 4 [2]:
Method 1 (easiest method)
The PPP exchange rate (ER) is calculated as a ratio of the price of a basket of goods and services
in one currency against the price of that same basket of goods and services in another currency. In
this case, PPP is calculated as:
PPP ER of US in yuan =
11.0
3.22
12.5
3.57
12.5
3.57
13.2
3.73
3.42
3.5
3.5
3.54
7.77
6.83
6.83
6.78
* There is no need to show all the working of the PPP ER values for all the years.
The numerical value of the PPP ER of yuan against US$US in yuan (using the Big Mac Index) is
consistently lower than the nominal ER. This means that at the PPP ER, every 1 US$ can be
exchanged for less yuan, unlike at the nominal ER, where every 1 US$ can be exchanged for more
yuan. Hence, at the PPP ER, the yuan would have been a much stronger currency against the
US$ than the nominal ER, which indicates that the yuan is undervalued against the US$. E.g.
in 2010, the Big Mac Index measured 3.54 yuan per US$ compared to the nominal ER of 6.78 yuan
per US$.
Method 2
In 2007, one Big Mac in China costs 11 yuan, while it costs US$ 3.22 in US. Using the nominal
exchange rate, one Big Mac should have cost 25 yuan instead of 11 yuan, which is about 2.27
times more than what it should have been priced at. This trend continues between 2008 and 2010,
where the Big Mac is consistently priced at about 2 times lower than what it should have been in
China. This means that for a given income, after converting into the respective currencies based on
the nominal exchange rate, Chinese citizens are actually able to exchange about 2 times more of
Big Mac than US citizens, implying that the nominal exchange rate of USyuan against yuan USD is
of a higher lower value than what it should have been. (Also implies that nominal exchange rate of
yuan against USD is of a lower value that what it should have been) This signifies that the yuan is
[3
]
(a)
(i)
Compare between the yearly exchange rate of the UK pound per US dollar and of the
Euro per US dollar during the period from 2008 to 2011.
[2]
Suggested answer:
Both the UK pound (14.5%) and the Euro (5%) depreciated against the US dollar
from 2008 to 2011 (1).
However, the UK pound has depreciated more than the Euro (1). [or]
The UK pound has consistently been stronger than the Euro i.e. 1 USD can buy more
Euro compared to UK pound throughout 2008 to 2011 (1).
SAJCs answer Why we dont accept.
Possible similarity 1:
From 2008 to 2010, both pound and Euro depreciated since the amount of GBP per
USD and Euro per USD increased, thus reflecting a fall in external purchasing power
of both pound and Euro.(no need to explain)
Possible similarity 2:
However, in 2011 (only look at a single year), both pound and Euro appreciated
against USD since the amount of GBP and Euro per USD decreased.
Difference:
In 2009 (only look at a single year), UK pound depreciated to a greater extent
compared to Euro against USD.
(ii)
With the aid of a diagram, explain the possible reasons for the change in the
exchange rate of the UK pound in 2010.
Even without the case material, since the question asks for possible reasons, it is
still fine to give generic answers that affect the bilateral exchange rate between UK
and US.
State: UK pound depreciated slightly against USD in 2010.
Reasons:
[4]
P1
P2
D
D1
Quantity of
Time
Source: Yahoo.com 2012
Year
2008
Net
Exports
(A-B)
-3522
2009
21004
13.7
15911
12.5
36915
5093
2010
30786
15.2
25593
14.1
56379
5193
2011
28160
15.6
23420
14.1
51580
4740
(a)
State the trend of the Brazilian Real against the Chinese Yuan between January
2009 and January 2011.
[1]
Brazilian Real It has apdepreciated against the Chinese yuan from Jan 2009 to Jan
2011..
(ii)
Describe the trend of Brazils trade balance with China from 2009 to 2011.
Brazils trade balance with China has always been in a surplus from 2009 to
2011.
However, the trade balance surplus has decreased generally from 2009 to 2011
and hence its position has worsened.
[2]
(iii)
In the light of the above trends, explain how the change in exchange rate has
affected Brazils trade balance with China.
As Brazilian Real depreciated against the Chinese yuan, the price of Brazilian
exports decreases in Chinese yuan and the price of Chinese imports increases in
Brazilian real. If the demand for exports and imports is price elastic, the total
revenue from Brazilian exports will increase and Brazils import expenditure from
China will decrease. Hence it explains the consistent trade surplus Brazil has.
This first answer is not acceptable because the focus is about how the BOT
has changed rather than about it being in consistent trade surplus. Moreover,
with depreciation, the BOT should improve (if ML condition holds), but the
stats from 2009-2011 showed a worsening.
As the Brazilian real has generally appreciated against Chinese yuan from Jan 2009
to 2011, this causes price of Brazilians exports in yuan to be relatively more
expensive and imports to be relatively cheaper in Brazilian real. Assuming MarshallLerner condition holds (|PEDx+PEDm|>1), net exports will decrease generally over
the same period. OR
Although the Brazilian real has depreciated and this causes the price of export in
foreign currencies to be lower, it is not enough to compete with the relatively lower
priced goods in China due to Chinas comparative advantage in the production of
goods and services. Hence it explains why Brazils trade balance with China has
worsened.
Note to tutors: This question can be a potential 4 marks question (provided it shows
>4 years trend). Students may recognize that although Brazilian real has
appreciated from Jan 2009 to Jan 2010, there is still an increase in its trade balance
over the same period. Ask the students to explain the possible reason(s).
[2]
In October 2005 the Monetary Authority of Singapore stated that its policy of allowing the
Singapore dollar to strengthen against a basket of currencies would be maintained.
(a) Using a diagram, explain what might cause a countrys exchange rate to appreciate in a
floating exchange rate system.
[10]
(b) Discuss the extent to which problems are likely to result from an appreciation of
Singapores exchange rate.
[15]
Key Points from the Examiners Report:
(+)
(-)
Unable to elaborate the factors well.
(a)
Note: There is no need to use SG as example. Students can choose to use another context and may even choose
different context for different factors that results in appreciation of a currency.
The equilibrium rate in a floating exchange rate system is determined by the demand & supply of currency. An
appreciation of a currency will be caused by the increase in demand of currency or a fall in supply of currency or
both.
FC foreign currency, DC Domestic Currency, Ddm Demand for domestic currency, Sdm Supply of domestic currency
The demand for a foreign currency is a derived demand. This means the demand for a foreign currency comes from
the need to exchange one currency into a into another for 2 key purposes:
Trade: Domestic currency must be exchanged into foreign currencies to pay for foreign goods. For example, to
pay for Singapore exports foreigners will need to exchange their currencies into SGD thus creating demand for
our currency. Similarly, Singapore buyers of foreign goods would need to exchange SGD into foreign currencies
e.g. RM to shop in JB, Malaysia. With reference to figure 1, the demand curve for a currency will shift
rightwards if there is an increased in the demand for the countrys exports. Ceteris paribus, the currency
will appreciate.
Foreign investment: The domestic currency has to be changed into foreign currencies to purchase foreign
assets such as bonds and equities; deposit money in foreign banks and invest in foreign property or
businesses. With reference to figure 1, if there is an increased in inflow of FDI the demand curve for the
domestic currency will shift rightwards causing the value of the currency to appreciate in the foreign
exchange market.
Supply
On the other hand, a fall imports would mean a fall in supply of the domestic currency in the foreign exchange market.
This is because less domestic currency is supplied because less is needed to be exchanged into foreign currencies to
pay for imports. Thus with reference to figure 2, the supply curve for DC would shift to the left.
The Leftward shift of the supply curve causes the currency to appreciate. Similarly a fall in outflow of FDI would
result in a leftward shift of the supply curve for the domestic currency in the foreign exchange market.
However, there are underlying factors that influence both the trade and investment flows and hence the demand and
supply for the currency in the foreign exchange market.
These key underlying determinants include:
Fall in inflation rate relative to the countrys trade partners
Rise in interest rates relative to rest of the world
Anticipation of exchange rate changes (i.e. currency speculation)
1.Fall in inflation rates relative to
trade partners
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CONCLUSION
In a free market such as a pure floating exchange rate system where there is no government intervention, the price or
value of a currency will appreciate if the demand rises or supply falls or both until it reaches a new equilibrium level.
(b)
Key Points from the Examiners Report:
(+)
Use appropriate economic analysis, such as the
Marshall-Lerner condition, to explain and discuss
whether an appreciation might or might not lead to
problems for the Singapore economy.
Showed very clear understanding of the benefits for a
small island economy of a controlled appreciation in
terms of the cost implications for imported goods.
Must have at least two Key Performance Indicators and
link to an appreciating currency.
(-)
Unexplained or underdeveloped statements about the
possible impact of an appreciation of the currency without
applying to Singapores context. These were usually
assertions that export prices would rise and hence that
there would be an ensuing balance of payments deficit.
11
Evaluation
The high import content of Singapores exports means that a
stronger dollar will result in lower cost of production. One
such export would be that of oil refined products. Thus the
rise in price of exports due to the appreciation is offset by the
fall in prices of imports such as raw material.
(2) A strong SGD may not deter FDI
(2) Financial Account worsens due to fall in FDI
A stronger $S may deter foreign investors. Why? Make it
more expensive to do business in Singapore thus MNCs e.g
from USA might be inclined to choose other cheaper Asian
locations.
12
unemployment
GPL
From the above figure, we can see that a fall in BOT and
FDI leading to a fall in AD from AD 2 to AD3 leading to a
fall in GPL from P2 to P3, lowering the inflation.
AS
P2
P3
AD3
AD2
P0
P1
AD1
AD0
Y1
Y0
YFE real NI
From the above figure, we can see that a fall in BOT leading
to a fall in AD from AD0 to AD1 leading to a fall in national
income from Y0 to Y1, thru the multiplier effect, lowering actual
growth.
As there is a fall in output, there will be a rise in inventory and
this may lead to some workers being retrenched and thus
raising the unemployment rate, thru an increase in cyclical
unemployment.
CONCLUSION
In theory an appreciation of a currency is likely to erode export competitiveness. Historically, in extreme cases it might
even threaten the survival of the entire export industry. However, in the context of Singapore, the policy of strengthening
the currency has not produced such adverse outcomes so far. On the contrary, based on empirical evidence, the policy of
pursuing a strong SGD has worked in Singapores favour. This is due primarily to the fact that most of Singapores
consumption and producer goods are imported and thus a strong currency help to keep domestic price stable and also
keep cost of imported inputs for our exporters low. In short, a gradual and modest appreciation policy, together with
supply-policies that make the demand for our exports price inelastic, have not damaged our balance of trade.
Thus a strong SGD has helped the economy achieved low inflation and sustained economic growth. By Tinbergen
principle, other policies need to be introduced for Singapore to reach the other goals.
13