Középárfolyam

Középárfolyam is a Hungarian term referring to the mid-price or middle exchange rate of a currency. It is typically calculated by taking the average of the buying rate (vételi árfolyam) and the selling rate (eladási árfolyam) offered by a financial institution, such as a bank. This mid-price serves as a benchmark or reference point for the value of one currency against another.

The középárfolyam is often used for informational purposes and in statistical reporting by financial institutions and official bodies. It provides a neutral representation of a currency's value, distinct from the rates at which a customer can actually buy or sell currency. Banks and exchange bureaus profit from the difference between their buying and selling rates, known as the spread, so the actual transaction rates will deviate from the középárfolyam.

In Hungary, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB), the central bank, publishes official exchange rates, which are often based on the középárfolyam concept, particularly for statistical and reporting purposes. While not directly used for retail transactions, it plays a role in understanding the general market sentiment and valuation of currencies. It is a key indicator for economic analysis and international comparisons.