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Basic Question 6 of 19

The percentage spread on a currency quotation should be smaller for:

I. a currency with high volatility than one with low volatility.
II. a 360 day forward than a 90 day forward.
III. a currency with many market makers than one with a few market makers.

User Contributed Comments 6

User Comment
vatsal92 More the traders, lesser is the volatility.
ankurwa10 I think it is more the number of traders, therefore ask/offer is going to be lower (competition?)
J0rdanl Ankurwa - The reasoning provided in the answer is the best to explain this concept - the spread is driven by risk, read the reasoning and then look at why A and B has to be wrong.
Inaganti6 i actually think it's because of arbing.... lack of arbing makes it illiquid and drives more risk....too much arbing leads to liquidity, narrower spreads, and less risk due to liquidity ease
khalifa92 more liquidity in market less bargaining power for dealers
mezoltan It is s simple competition. If you (let's say, as a portfolio manager) can ask 5 traders to quote an FX for you, you can just pick the cheapest, but if there is only 1 trader who can quote that FX, he will use his monopolistic position to quote a higher price for you.
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I am using your study notes and I know of at least 5 other friends of mine who used it and passed the exam last Dec. Keep up your great work!
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Learning Outcome Statements

calculate and interpret the bid-ask spread on a spot or forward foreign currency quotation and describe the factors that affect the bid-offer spread;

identify a triangular arbitrage opportunity and calculate its profit, given the bid-offer quotations for three currencies;

CFA® 2025 Level II Curriculum, Volume 1, Module 8.