Balance Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Balance?
The Balance of Payments (BOP) is an important economic indicator that measures the difference in payments between countries over a given period. It can be used to measure trade deficits and surpluses, which are both important components of overall economic health. The BOP helps governments track capital flows, as well as gauge their country’s financial standing within the global economy.A country’s balance of payments consists of two main parts: the current account and the capital account. The current account includes all transactions related to goods and services, such as exports and imports; transfers like foreign aid; income from investments; interest payments on loans; and other international monetary movements. The capital account reflects mainly cross border investments made by corporations or individuals in foreign assets, including stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, etc., but also include debt forgiveness or cancellation agreements between nations. When a country’s current account deficit exceeds its capital inflows it has an overall balance-of-payments deficit. To remedy this situation central banks usually increase interest rates or implement other macroeconomic policies aimed at reducing domestic demand for imports while stimulating exports which often results in increased national savings rate (i.e., reduced consumption). Alternatively they may choose to borrow funds from overseas investors through bond issues or currency swaps agreements with foreign institutions which will likely lead to higher levels of national debt but could also improve investor confidence in their nation’s economy if properly managed. It is important for countries to maintain a balanced balance-of-payments position so that the flow of dollars into their economies remains consistent without creating too large ebbs and flows that would destabilize markets domestically or abroad.