Reálkamatlábak

Reálkamatlábak is a term of Hungarian origin that can be translated as "real interest rates." It refers to the rate of return on an investment or loan after accounting for inflation. In simpler terms, it is the increase in purchasing power that an investor or lender receives.

The concept of reálkamatlábak is crucial for understanding the true profitability of financial instruments. A nominal interest rate, which is the stated rate of return, may appear attractive. However, if inflation is high, the purchasing power of the money earned from that interest may be eroded. Therefore, the real interest rate provides a more accurate picture of the investment's performance.

The calculation of reálkamatlábak is typically done by subtracting the inflation rate from the nominal interest rate. For example, if a savings account offers a nominal interest rate of 5% and the annual inflation rate is 3%, the reálkamatlábak would be 2% (5% - 3%). This means that the investor's purchasing power has increased by 2% over the year.

Understanding reálkamatlábak is important for both borrowers and lenders. For lenders, a positive real interest rate ensures that their capital is growing in value. For borrowers, a negative real interest rate means that the debt they are repaying is effectively worth less in terms of purchasing power, making it cheaper to repay the loan. Central banks often monitor and influence real interest rates as part of their monetary policy to manage economic growth and inflation.