- CFA Exams
- CFA Level I Exam
- Topic 2. Economics
- Learning Module 7. Capital Flows and the FX Market
- Subject 2. Exchange Rate Regimes
CFA Practice Question
Assume the Canadian demand elasticity for imports equals 0.2 while the foreign demand elasticity for Canadian exports equals 0.3. Responding to a trade deficit, suppose the Canadian dollar depreciates by 20 percent. For Canada, the depreciation would lead to a(n) ______.
A. worsening trade balance - a larger deficit
B. improved trade balance - a smaller deficit
C. unchanged trade balance
Explanation: Both demands for imports and exports are inelastic.
User Contributed Comments 5
User | Comment |
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Raph | someone can give me more explanation? Please |
saraguo21 | since both imports and exports are inelastic, the change in price will not affect the volume demanded. since CAD depreciated, the $ value of exports decreased and the $ value of imports increased, which creates a larger deficit (exports -imports) |
kseeba17 | Although they are both inelastic, demand for exports goes up by 6% whilst the demand for imports goes down 4%. How does this not improve the BOP deficit? |
gusmcewin | When CAD depreciates, price of X remains the same in CAD but become cheaper in forex. Qty of X sold increases (by 0.3 x 20%) as X is now cheaper in forex terms - so Qty up and P constant leads to an increase in X revenue. The price of M in CAD increases by 20% and thus Qty of M decreases - but by only 20% x 0.2 (elasticity is low but still positive). So rev from X increases and exp on M decreases - therefore deficit decreases. |
anaszul | Marshall Lerner condition: If PEDx + PEDm > 1 then a devaluation will improve the current account |