Does Exchange Rate Change on Weekends? Let’s Look At It

Asher Tame
3 min readMar 31, 2023

Are you an investor looking for the best time to exchange foreign currency? If so, then you’re in luck — we’ve done the research and have some insightful answers about whether the exchange rate changes on weekends. As many people know from experience, banks and foreign currency exchanges tend to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but does this affect the actual rates at which currency is exchanged? When you want to change your currency, you wonder, “Does the exchange rate change on the weekend?” Keep reading to find out more about how weekend closures may or may not influence exchange rates.

Does Exchange Rate Change on Weekends?

Curious topic: does the exchange rate change on weekends? Well, exchange rates can change at any time, including weekends. This is because the forex market, where currencies are bought and sold, is open for him 24 hours a day, five days a week. The market opens at 5:00 pm EST on Sunday and closes at 5:00 pm EST on Friday.

Various factors, including economic news, political events, and central bank actions, cause exchange rate fluctuations. For example, when a country experiences economic growth, its currency may appreciate relative to other currencies. Similarly, if a central bank raises interest rates, it can attract investors and increase the demand for money.

The supply and demand of currencies determine exchange rates. If a particular money is in high order, its value will be higher than others and vice versa. Factors that affect the demand for currency include trade flows, capital flows, and tourism.

Trade flows refer to the movement of goods and services between countries. When a country exports more than it imports, foreign buyers have to buy the currency to pay for their exports, thus creating demand for the money. Conversely, when a country imports more than it exports, it creates a surplus of its currency, leading to currency depreciation.

Capital flows refer to the movement of investments between countries. When a country offers a higher return on investment, it can attract foreign capital, increasing demand for its currency. If investors believe that a country’s economy is doing well, they will likely invest in that country, increasing demand for that currency. Tourism can also affect the exchange rate. If a country is a popular tourist destination, it can create a need for money as tourists must convert it to pay for goods and services.

In summary, exchange rates are constantly influenced by various economic, political, and social factors and can fluctuate on weekends and weekdays. Understanding these factors and monitoring exchange rate fluctuations can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions regarding international investments and financial activities.

To Summarize

Answering “Does exchange rates change on weekends?” is a bit complicated. While nations may not be actively involved in setting their currency’s exchange rate on weekends, factors like geopolitical impacts, economic forces, and financial market speculation still come into play. Thus, we cannot ignore that weekend fluctuations can occur in various contexts. In other words, any committed investor must know all potential influences on exchange rates and how to manage them appropriately. So before investing or trading resources overseas, research and pay attention to things such as non-bank holidays or unexpected announcements that might drive these changes — this could make or break a thriving trade!

--

--

Asher Tame

My name is Asher, and I'm a Finance Editor based in Canada. I'm passionate about all things finance and have spent years honing my skills in the industry.