Aussie exchange rates best for decades

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-business/aussie-exchange-rates-best-for-decades-20100305-pob7.html

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as specified by your Tutor: [Your tutor will inform you about the random selection method.] The article
relates to one or more of the topics (chapters) covered in the lecture program, namely the
microeconomics and macroeconomics topics.
You are to apply your economic theory to explain and analyses the article. Refer to the ‘An inside look’
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approximately 1800- 2000 words in length and include well-labeled diagrams. A copy of the article
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present your assignment as a report – include an executive summary page,
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1311012013 Print Article: Aussie erchange rates best for decades
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Aussie exchange rates best for decades
Kim Christian
Published:March 5,2010 – 3:54PM
Europe just got cheaper. If low airfares haven’t tempted you to Advertisement
book a ticket to Europe for the northern summer, then the
record purchasing power of the Australian dollar just might.
The Australian dollar this week was buying 66 euro cents and
more than 60 British pence, toppling records that have been
held for decades.
And analysts predict the strength of the Australian dollar to
continue until at least mid-year.
Royal Bank of Scotland foreign exchange strategist Greg
Gibbs said the Australian dollar had recentlv reached some of
its strongest levels against the euro.
“Clearly it’s one of the best times to be travelling,” Mr Gibbs
said. “And it’s likely to persist.”
He said Australia’s economic and trade links with a strengthening Asia had played a large part in the continued
appreciation of the local currency.
The strength of the Australian dollar has also been assisted by the nation’s comparatively high interest rates, while
recent concerns surrounding sovereign risk in Greece had undermined the euro.
However, Mr Gibbs warned that Australia’s large need to fund itseH from international capital markets meant the
local currency could fall rapidly if funding sources dried up.
Mr Gibbs predicts the currency will continue strengthening against the euro over the course of the year.
During London trade on Tuesday, the Australian dollar reached 66.81 euro cents, a record high since the start of

the eurozone currency in January 1999.
The local currency closed at 60.20 British pence on Wednesday, breaking a 25-year high.
In the travel industry, Australia’s steady economic recovery contrasts greatly with a slow recovery in Europe.
Flight Centre spokesman Hadyn Long said Australian travellers were experiencing good value, but it was difficult to
assess how the strong Australian dollar had affected the leisure travel market.
“There are a number of things that have led to the IIK and EyroRe being fairly popular this year,” Mr Long said.
“The (Australian) dollar’s one of them, but greater economic certainty and cheap fares have probably been more
‘ important.”
Airfares had dropped in line with weaker demand in the wake of the financial crisis, he said.
Tourists who want to lock in a high exchange rate before setting off overseas can now purchase travel cards and
load them up with selected currencies.
neus.theag e.com.au/action/printArticle?id= 1 1 97907 j 12
1311012013 print Article: Aussie erchange rates best for decades
Financial analyst Peter Arnold, of the product comparison company Canstar Cannex, said the Commonwealth Bank
was the latest major bank to offer a prepaid travel card service linked to major credit cards, after ATr{Z and National
Australia Bank.
“Generally, the fees on these cards are reasonably low for the transaction and currency conversion.
“Elut the biggest thing which sets it apart from a credit card, or using your own money to use a debit card, is that
you’re locking in an exchange rate,” he said.
“You’le buying your money before you leave and you know exactly how much of that currency you have to spend,
so you won’t be subject to exchange rate fluctuations.”
This story was found at: ht$://newstheage.com-au/breaking-news-businesdaussie-x.change-rates-best-for-decades-20100305-
pobT.html
ner,w “theag e.com.au/action/pri ntArticle?id= 1 1 97907
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