"Hot money" refers to funds that are controlled by investors who actively seek short-term returns. These investors scan the market for short-term, high interest rate investment opportunities. A typical short-term investment opportunity that often attracts "hot money" is the certificate of deposit (CD).
How Does the 'Hot Money' Concept Work?
Banks usually attract "hot money" by offering relatively short-term certificates of deposit that have above-average interest rates. As soon as the institution reduces interest rates or another institution offers higher rates, investors with "hot money" withdraw their funds and move them to another institution with higher rates.
The "hot money" concept is not reserved solely for banks. Investors can move their funds to different countries to take advantage of favorable interest rates.
The Impact of 'Hot Money' on Countries and Banks
"Hot money" can have economic and financial repercussions on countries and banks, however. When money is injected into a country, the exchange rate for the country gaining the money strengthens, while the exchange rate for the country losing the money weakens. If money is withdrawn on short notice, the banking institution will experience a shortage of funds.
(To read more about CDs, see Step up Your Income With aCD Ladder.)
FAQs
Hot money signifies currency that quickly and regularly moves between financial markets, that ensures investors lock in the highest available short-term interest rates. Hot money continuously shifts from countries with low-interest rates to those with higher rates.
What are the pros and cons of hot money? ›
On the positive side, hot money flows can provide countries with access to capital for investment and growth, and can help to stabilize financial markets during periods of uncertainty. On the negative side, hot money flows can lead to rapid changes in exchange rates, high inflation, and financial instability.
How do you explain how money works? ›
You just need a market in which to sell your goods or services. In that market, you don't barter for individual goods. Instead you exchange your goods or services for a common medium of exchange—that is, money. You can then use that money to buy what you need from others who also accept the same medium of exchange.
What is an example of hot money? ›
As mentioned above, capital in the following form could be considered hot money: Short-term foreign portfolio investments, including investments in equities, bonds and financial derivatives. Short-term foreign bank loans. Foreign bank loans with short-term investment horizon.
What is the opposite of hot money? ›
As more investors are attracted, demand for the currency increases, and its value goes up. These flows of investment are known in economics as 'hot money flows'. The opposite relationship is true for decreasing interest rates. That is, lower interest rates tend to decrease the value of a currency.
What is an example of the theory of money? ›
According to the quantity theory of money, if the amount of money in an economy doubles, all else equal, price levels will also double. This means that the consumer will pay twice as much for the same amount of goods and services.
What are the risks of hot money? ›
Risks Involved in Hot Money
By its very definition, hot money requires volatility in order to extract quick returns. A steady investment that is not moving will not generate the desired returns. The risk is that with the chance of a quick and large return, there is also the chance of a quick and large loss.
What are the 5 disadvantages of money? ›
The following are the various disadvantages of money:
- Demonetization - ...
- Exchange Rate Instability - ...
- Monetary Mismanagement - ...
- Excess Issuance - ...
- Restricted Acceptability (Limited Acceptance) - ...
- Inconvenience of Small Denominators - ...
- Troubling Balance of Payments - ...
- Short Life -
What is cold vs hot money? ›
Studies that established the terms 'hot' (temporary) money and 'cold' (permanent) money to describe capital flow reversals associated with changes in economic performance also arrive at the conclusion that portfolio and bond flows are characterised by relatively large tem- porary components, while FDI has a relatively ...
Is money important in life? ›
It is just a tool that can help us achieve our goals. It cannot buy us love, good health, or happiness. However, it can provide us with the means to access the resources necessary for these things. In conclusion, the importance of money cannot be denied in today's world.
What are the qualities of Good Money?
- General Acceptability: It is the very essence of money. ...
- Portability: ...
- Indestructibility or Durability: ...
- hom*ogeneity: ...
- Divisibility: ...
- Malleability: ...
- Cognizability: ...
- Stability of Value:
What are the benefits of hot money? ›
Hot money is characterized by its high liquidity and quick mobility. Investors or speculators may move their funds swiftly in response to changes in market conditions or to exploit temporary profit opportunities.
What are 3 money examples? ›
Economists differentiate among three different types of money: commodity money, fiat money, and bank money. Commodity money is a good whose value serves as the value of money. Gold coins are an example of commodity money.
Is it hard cash or hot cash? ›
According to the Cambridge dictionary, "hard cash" means "money in the form of coins and notes, but not a cheque or a credit card". That is the exact definition of "cash" in the Cambridge dict.
What is the concept of money theory? ›
Monetary theory posits that a change in money supply is a key driver of economic activity. A simple formula, the equation of exchange, governs monetary theory: MV = PQ. The Federal Reserve (Fed) has three main levers to control the money supply: the reserve ratio, discount rate, and open market operations.
What is the hot potato theory of money? ›
Conventional wisdom is that inflation makes people spend money faster, trying to get rid of it like a 'hot potato', and this is a channel through which inflation affects velocity and welfare.
What is the dumb money theory? ›
Dumb Money refers to normal everyday investors, probably like you and me, trying to invest in the stock market. Hedge funds and wall street pros consider our investments dumb money because we are uneducated and unaware of the high-level investing, they do day in and day out.