Glossary: M07 — Capital Flows and the FX Market

TermDefinition
Balance of payments (BOP)Record of all economic transactions between residents and non-residents
Current accountBOP component: trade balance, income, transfers
Capital accountBOP component: capital transfers, non-produced non-financial assets
Financial accountBOP component: direct investment, portfolio investment, reserves
Trade balanceExports minus imports of goods and services
Foreign direct investment (FDI)Investment establishing lasting interest in foreign enterprise (>10% ownership)
Portfolio investmentInvestment in foreign securities without controlling interest
Fixed exchange rateRate pegged to another currency; maintained by central bank intervention
Floating exchange rateRate determined by market supply and demand
Managed floatPrimarily market-determined rate with occasional central bank intervention
Currency boardFixed exchange rate backed by 100% foreign reserves