The Federal Reserve, which is responsible for conducting U.S. monetary policies, usually works in close consultation with the United States Treasury when it intervenes in the foreign exchange markets. The Federal Reserve can, however, act independently in the foreign currency markets when conducting operations necessary to implement monetary policy.
The Federal Reserve does not target specific exchange rates but instead will engage in the purchase and sale of dollars and foreign currencies in order to stabilize disorderly markets during times of financial stress in order to avoid disruptive declines in the value of the dollar. The Fed carries out foreign exchange operations through the Federal Open Market Committee in cooperation with the U.S. Treasury which is empowered with overall responsibility for foreign exchange interventions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of NY engages in foreign currency operations to cushion the effects on international reserves of flows of payments due to temporary forces, to smooth out abrupt changes in foreign exchange rates, or to avoid disorderly conditions in foreign exchange markets.
Such operations, which are conducted in consultations with the US Treasury are not intended to have long term, permanent, or far reaching influences or mandates on the underlying trends in capital and international trade. Such actions would be what might be termed an "over reach". Circumstances, however, do arrive that the FOMC believes can be useful in the short term to stabilize currency markets which can have a positive effects beyond the goals of the Fed or the US Treasury. Such situations where speculative flows of funds stimulated by rapidly changing exchange rates or by rapid gains or losses in a country's international reserves may tend to call for intervention by the Fed.
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The Federal Reserve, which is responsible for conducting U.S. monetary policies, usually works in close consultation with the United States Treasury when it intervenes in the foreign exchange markets. The Federal Reserve can, however, act independently in the foreign currency markets when conducting operations necessary to implement monetary policy.
The Federal Reserve does not target specific exchange rates but instead will engage in the purchase and sale of dollars and foreign currencies in order to stabilize disorderly markets during times of financial stress in order to avoid disruptive declines in the value of the dollar. The Fed carries out foreign exchange operations through the Federal Open Market Committee in cooperation with the U.S. Treasury which is empowered with overall responsibility for foreign exchange interventions.
The Federal Reserve Bank of NY engages in foreign currency operations to cushion the effects on international reserves of flows of payments due to temporary forces, to smooth out abrupt changes in foreign exchange rates, or to avoid disorderly conditions in foreign exchange markets.
Such operations, which are conducted in consultations with the US Treasury are not intended to have long term, permanent, or far reaching influences or mandates on the underlying trends in capital and international trade. Such actions would be what might be termed an "over reach". Circumstances, however, do arrive that the FOMC believes can be useful in the short term to stabilize currency markets which can have a positive effects beyond the goals of the Fed or the US Treasury. Such situations where speculative flows of funds stimulated by rapidly changing exchange rates or by rapid gains or losses in a country's international reserves may tend to call for intervention by the Fed.
The US dollar
When a country/Reserve bank changes the value of a currency. The currency is usually devalued to make exports more competitive. Usually associated to countries with high inflation and political unrest.
There many valuable benefits for a bank becoming a member of the Federal Reserve System. Some are these: A. Borrowing funds from Federal Reserve Banks when needing them on a short term basis; B. Using the facilities of Federal Reserve Banks for check clearing and funds transfer; C. Obtaining foreign currencies; D. Sharing in the economic research materials the Federal Reserve works on at all times; and E. Participating in the elections of Federal Reserve Directors.
Forex reserve or Foreign exchange reserves are only the foreign currency deposits and bonds held by central banks and monetary authorities. A country needs Foreign exchange reserves as it is important indicator of nation's ability to repay foreign debt and also for currency defense. It is also used to determine credit ratings of nations.
Countries buy Foreign Exchange for the following reasons:As a means of investment to earn revenue in anticipation that the purchased currency will appreciate.For payment of import duties and goods.For hedge funds.To boost their foreign reserve