Purchase Power Parity Formula:
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Purchase Power Parity (PPP) is an economic theory that compares different countries' currencies through a "basket of goods" approach. According to PPP, exchange rates should adjust so that an identical good in two different countries has the same price when expressed in the same currency.
The calculator uses the PPP formula:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical exchange rate that would equalize the purchasing power of different currencies by accounting for differences in inflation rates.
Details: PPP is used by forex traders and economists to assess whether a currency is overvalued or undervalued. It helps predict long-term exchange rate movements and is particularly useful for fundamental analysis.
Tips: Enter the current spot exchange rate (decimal), inflation rate for country A (decimal), and inflation rate for country B (decimal). All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is PPP important in forex trading?
A: PPP helps identify potential long-term currency trends by showing where exchange rates should theoretically move based on inflation differentials.
Q2: Does PPP predict short-term exchange rates?
A: No, PPP is more useful for long-term analysis as short-term rates are influenced by many other factors like interest rates, political stability, and market sentiment.
Q3: What are the limitations of PPP?
A: PPP assumes free trade and ignores transportation costs, tariffs, and differences in product quality between countries. It also doesn't account for non-tradable goods.
Q4: How often should PPP be calculated?
A: For meaningful analysis, PPP should be calculated using updated inflation data, typically monthly or quarterly.
Q5: Can PPP be used for all currency pairs?
A: PPP works best for countries with similar economic structures and freely traded currencies. It may be less reliable for emerging market currencies with capital controls.