kursdata

Kursdata, often translated as exchange rate data, are datasets that document the prices at which currencies and, in many cases, other financial instruments are traded over time. The data typically consist of time-stamped values such as spot rates, daily closes, intraday quotes, and, where available, bid and ask prices, spreads, and transaction volumes. Kursdata play a central role in finance, economics, and international trade, where exchange rates influence pricing, budgeting, and policy analysis.

Common sources include central banks, international organizations, and commercial data providers. Official reference rates from central banks (for example, daily closing rates) are widely used for accounting and statutory purposes, while intraday data from trading venues and data vendors support research and trading strategies. Data may cover major currency pairs as well as regional currencies and may extend to related instruments such as forwards, futures, and derivatives.

Data are delivered in various formats, such as CSV, JSON, or XML, and are accessed via APIs, FTP downloads, or web portals. Licensing varies: open sources exist for educational or reference purposes, while commercial providers sell comprehensive feeds with higher frequency and broader coverage.

Applications include economic analysis, risk management, exchange rate forecasting, valuation of cross-border assets, and accounting for multinational operations. They also underpin monetary policy evaluations and financial market research.

Quality considerations include time zone alignment, calendar effects, data revisions, and holidays; data integrity and completeness are essential for accurate analyses. Users must be mindful of licensing restrictions, data provenance, and potential discrepancies between sources.