The foreign exchange market is one of the most active and ever-changing markets in the world. There are a great number of occurrences and factors that have an effect on the market’s movements on a daily basis. In the following paragraphs, we will examine these occurrences in greater detail and talk about the lessons that traders and investors can take away from them.
1. U.S. midterm elections
In the foreign exchange market, as shown on the tradingview platform, the rates at which currencies were traded were significantly influenced by a number of important events that took place in 2024.
The midterm elections in the United States were widely regarded as one of the year’s most important events. Because the results could potentially affect trade relations, monetary policy, and other economic factors, they had a significant impact on the forex market.
In the days leading up to the midterms, there was a great deal of uncertainty and speculation about the various outcomes that could occur. As a result of this uncertainty, the currency market was quite volatile. Trading conditions were choppy and range-bound as a result of the reluctance of a large number of traders and investors to make significant moves until the results were known.
After the elections, the market had a positive reaction to the outcome, and as a result, the value of the United States dollar increased in comparison with a number of other major currencies.
Lesson: Financial traders and investors should be aware that political events can have a significant impact on the foreign exchange market and should take these potential risks into account when making trading decisions.
2. Decisions regarding interest rates
The decisions that central banks make regarding interest rates are another important factor that can affect the foreign exchange market. In 2024, there were multiple decisions made regarding interest rates that had an effect on the prices of currency exchanges.
The Federal Reserve, which is the United States’ central bank, is responsible for making one of the most important decisions in recent history. The Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates three times in 2024, which resulted in a favorable impact on the value of the United States dollar. Higher interest rates can make a currency’s value go up because they encourage more foreign investment and increase demand for the currency as a whole.
Elsewhere, a number of other central banks, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan, have maintained exceptionally low interest rates, which have been detrimental to the value of each of those countries’ currencies.
The decisions that are made regarding interest rates can have a significant impact on the value of a currency; therefore, traders should pay attention to these announcements and how they could potentially affect the market.
3. Trade tensions
The foreign exchange market can also be significantly influenced by rising trade tensions between major economies, such as the United States and China. In 2024, trade negotiations between the two countries were still ongoing, and tariffs and other trade barriers were a possibility.
The unpredictability of the situation caused the foreign exchange market to be volatile, with traders and investors reacting to news regarding the development of the negotiations. In the end, the United States and China were able to settle their trade differences, which was good for the market and helped reduce some of the uncertainty.
Lesson: Traders should be aware of the risks associated with trade tensions and negotiations, as well as how these risks may affect their trades.
4. Economic indicators
In addition to the above-mentioned, economic indicators such as GDP, employment, and inflation can also have an impact on the foreign exchange market. 2024 saw the release of a number of significant economic reports that each had their own unique effect on the market.
In the United States, for instance, factors such as robust economic growth and historically low unemployment rates have contributed to an increase in the value of the United States dollar. On the other hand, the value of the euro and other currencies fell because of worsening economic data and rising unemployment rates.
Traders and investors can gain insight into the health of an economy through the use of economic indicators, which can then assist them in making more educated decisions regarding their trading activities. Traders can gain a better understanding of how different economies are performing and how this may impact the value of their trades by staying up to date on economic data releases and paying attention to how the market reacts to the releases.
5. Natural disasters
The foreign exchange market is also susceptible to the influence of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. During the year 2024, there were a number of natural disasters that had a big effect on certain countries and their currencies.
A significant earthquake in Fukushima, Japan, for instance, back in March, resulted in damage to infrastructure as well as disruption to economic activity, which led to a decline in the value of the Japanese yen. Likewise, a series of hurricanes that hit the United States caused a huge amount of damage, leading the value of the US dollar to drop for a short time.
Lesson: natural disasters can have a short-term impact on the economy and currency of a country; therefore, traders should be aware of these risks and how they might affect their trades.
6. Tensions on the geopolitical front
The foreign exchange market is also susceptible to the effects of geopolitical tensions, such as wars and hostilities between nations. In 2024, the market was affected by a number of serious geopolitical crises that are still ongoing.
For instance, tensions between North Korea and the United States caused uncertainty and volatility in the market. Traders reacted to news about the progress of negotiations and the potential for conflict, which caused the market to move up and down. The uncertainty and volatility in the market was also caused by the tensions between Russia and the United States due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
Lesson: Geopolitical tensions have the potential to create uncertainty and volatility in the foreign exchange market. Traders should be aware of these risks and how they could potentially affect their trades.
Conclusion
The foreign exchange market and the rates at which currencies were traded were significantly influenced by a number of important events that took place in 2024. There are a wide variety of different factors that have the potential to impact the market, ranging from political happenings and interest rate decisions to economic indicators and natural disasters. Traders and investors can make decisions that are better informed and potentially improve their chances of success in the foreign exchange market if they keep themselves up to date on the latest events and understand how those events might impact their trades.