Context: 

India’s exports and imports decreased by 6.59% and 3.63%  in January, but there are signs that the current account deficit (CAD) will moderate, despite the global slowdown caused by inflation and interest rates.

What is CAD?

• The current account deficit is a measurement of a country’s trade where the value of the goods and services it imports exceeds the value of the products it exports.
• The current account represents a country’s foreign transactions and, like the capital account, is a component of a country’s balance of payments (BOP)

What does CAD include?

• CAD includes a nation’s net trade-in products and services, its net earnings on cross-border investments including interest and dividends, and its net transfer payments such as remittances and foreign aid. 
• A current account deficit (CAD) means the value of goods and services imported exceeds the value of exports

How did CAD Moderate?

• Trade deficit narrowed to $17.7 billion, led by a sharp fall in imports
• The sharp drop in imports was due to 

1. 1. Non-oil imports falling, mainly due to the fall in commodity prices
   2. Likely softening in domestic demand post the festive season (such as lower imports of transport equipment)
   3. Seasonal impact of the Chinese New Year holiday

• The moderation in CAD was also due to rising workers remittances and services exports, and abatement of selling pressure by foreign investors.

Significance of CAD:

• CAD and the fiscal deficit together make up the twin deficits – the enemies of the stock market and investors. 
• If the current account – the country’s trade and transactions with other countries – shows surplus, that indicates money is flowing into the country, boosting the foreign exchange reserves and the value of rupee against the dollar. 
• These are factors that will have ramifications on the economy and the stock markets as well as on returns on investments by people.

How will moderating CAD impact the market?

• While rising CAD raises concerns among investors as it hurts the currency and thereby the inflow of funds into the markets, a notable decline in CAD in January has improved market sentiments.
• Experts say that CAD is very important for the currency. The value of an economy hinges a lot on the value of its currency and thereby, it also supports the equity markets by keeping the fund flow intact.

Source: Indian Express