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💵principles of macroeconomics review

Basket Peg

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A basket peg is an exchange rate regime where a country's currency is pegged to a basket of multiple foreign currencies, rather than a single foreign currency. The value of the domestic currency is determined by the weighted average of the values of the currencies in the basket.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The basket of currencies used in a basket peg is typically made up of the country's major trading partners and key international currencies, such as the US dollar, euro, and Japanese yen.
  2. The weights assigned to each currency in the basket are based on factors like the country's trade patterns, economic ties, and financial flows.
  3. A basket peg can provide more stability and flexibility compared to a single-currency peg, as it can help mitigate the impact of fluctuations in any one currency.
  4. Basket pegs are often used by countries with diversified trade and investment relationships to manage exchange rate risk and maintain a stable, competitive currency.
  5. Adjusting the composition and weights of the currency basket can be a tool for policymakers to manage the domestic currency's value and competitiveness.

Review Questions

  • Explain how a basket peg differs from a fixed exchange rate regime.
    • Unlike a fixed exchange rate regime where a country's currency is pegged to a single foreign currency, a basket peg involves pegging the domestic currency to a weighted basket of multiple foreign currencies. This provides more flexibility and stability, as the value of the domestic currency is determined by the average of the currencies in the basket, rather than being directly tied to a single currency. The basket composition and weights can be adjusted by policymakers to manage the country's exchange rate and competitiveness in relation to its major trading partners.
  • Describe the potential benefits of a country adopting a basket peg exchange rate policy.
    • A basket peg can offer several potential benefits for a country. First, it can provide more stability and resilience to the domestic currency, as fluctuations in any one currency within the basket are mitigated by the other currencies. Second, a basket peg can help a country manage its exchange rate in relation to its key trading partners, maintaining a competitive position. Third, the flexibility to adjust the basket composition and weights can be a useful policy tool for policymakers to respond to changing economic conditions and trade patterns. Finally, a basket peg can help a country reduce its exposure to exchange rate risk and volatility, which is particularly important for countries with diversified trade and investment relationships.
  • Analyze how a country's decision to adopt a basket peg exchange rate policy could impact its macroeconomic performance and policy objectives.
    • A country's decision to adopt a basket peg exchange rate policy can have significant implications for its macroeconomic performance and policy objectives. By pegging the domestic currency to a weighted basket of foreign currencies, the country can stabilize its exchange rate and potentially improve its trade balance, as the currency's value remains competitive relative to its major trading partners. This, in turn, can support export-led growth and help the country achieve its objectives of economic development and employment. However, the basket peg also constrains the country's monetary policy autonomy, as the central bank must intervene in the foreign exchange market to maintain the peg. This can limit the effectiveness of monetary policy tools in addressing domestic inflationary pressures or supporting other macroeconomic goals, such as full employment. Policymakers must carefully weigh the trade-offs between exchange rate stability and monetary policy flexibility when considering a basket peg regime.