What are forward points?

	Currencies Unplugged Merk Mutual Funds sheds light on key concepts relating to the currency market. Can any currency be converted into any other currency? The Archive: Read Currencies Unplugged

When an investor enters into a forward currency contract they are generally quoted forward points. Forward points are added or subtracted to the spot rate and are determined by prevailing interest rates in the two currencies (remember: currencies always trade in pairs) and the length of the contract. Typically, the higher yielding currency has negative points, while the lower yielding currency has positive points. That is to say that if a currency has a relatively higher yield then it will typically cost less in the forward market, if a currency has a relatively lower yield it will typically cost more in the forward market. If this did not hold true, an arbitrage situation may be presented, which in itself could drive prices to equilibrium.

Forward points are commonly quoted in fractions of 1/10,000; +20 points would mean add 0.002 to the spot rate. As an example, if an investor wished to purchase Australian dollars (AUD) using a forward currency contract, and was quoted AUD at 0.9000 minus 55.55 points, the forward rate would be 0.894445.

Both the Merk Absolute Return Currency and Merk Asian Currency Funds have historically gained currency exposure through the use of forward currency contracts; the net notional U.S. dollar value of these contracts is typically fully collateralized.

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