REAL VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

The term “interest rate” is one of the most commonly used phrases in day to day finance. Today we will cover - Real vs. Nominal Interest Rates. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Let us see the formula of the Current Account Balance (CAB) CAB = X - M + NI + NCT X = Exports of goods and services M = Imports of goods and services NI = Net income abroad [Salaries paid or received, credit / debit of income from FII & FDI etc. ] NCT = Net current transfers [Workers' Remittances (unilateral), Donations, Aids & Grants, Official, Assistance and Pensions etc] CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT The difference between nominal and real interest rate is the key economic factor – ‘Inflation’. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Inflation is a rise in the general price level. For instance, a 6% inflation rate means that an average basket of goods you purchased this year is 6% more expensive as compared to last year. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Real Interest Rate is one where the effects of inflation have been factored in. Nominal Interest Rate is one where the effects of inflation have not been accounted for.

Let us consider an example to illustrate the difference : REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Suppose your fixed deposit of Rs. 100 earns 10% interest at the end of the year. This means the Rs. 100 at beginning of the year will become Rs. 110 at the end of the year. This 10% is the nominal interest rate, as we have not accounted for inflation.

Let us see the formula of the Current Account Balance (CAB) CAB = X - M + NI + NCT X = Exports of goods and services M = Imports of goods and services NI = Net income abroad [Salaries paid or received, credit / debit of income from FII & FDI etc. ] NCT = Net current transfers [Workers' Remittances (unilateral), Donations, Aids & Grants, Official, Assistance and Pensions etc] CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT Whenever people speak of the interest rate they're talking about the nominal interest rate, unless they state otherwise. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Assume that inflation rate is 6% for the year and your fixed deposit earns 10% nominal interest rate. After factoring in inflation, your deposit will earn a real interest rate of 4%. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

COMPARING REAL & NOMINAL INTEREST RATE REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE Nominal Interest Rate = 10% Inflation = 6% Real Interest Rate = 4%

Let us see the formula of the Current Account Balance (CAB) CAB = X - M + NI + NCT X = Exports of goods and services M = Imports of goods and services NI = Net income abroad [Salaries paid or received, credit / debit of income from FII & FDI etc. ] NCT = Net current transfers [Workers' Remittances (unilateral), Donations, Aids & Grants, Official, Assistance and Pensions etc] CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT The relationship between nominal interest rate, inflation, and real interest rate is described by the Fisher Equation: REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE Real Interest Rate = Nominal Interest Rate – Inflation

If inflation is positive, then the real interest rate is lower than the nominal interest rate. If we have deflation and the inflation rate is negative, then the real interest rate will be larger. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

Let us see the formula of the Current Account Balance (CAB) CAB = X - M + NI + NCT X = Exports of goods and services M = Imports of goods and services NI = Net income abroad [Salaries paid or received, credit / debit of income from FII & FDI etc. ] NCT = Net current transfers [Workers' Remittances (unilateral), Donations, Aids & Grants, Official, Assistance and Pensions etc] CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT Hope you have understood the difference between Real and Nominal Interest Rate. REAL INTEREST RATE VS. NOMINAL INTEREST RATE

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