This is partly because the final price of an imported good includes numerous costs, such as distribution and marketing, that are not affected by the exchange rate.

ECONOMIST: Why America's deficit is hard to turn around

Northern Ireland Electricity was floated on the Stock Exchange and retained responsibility for transmission, distribution and the supply of power.

BBC: A highly charged debate

So in 1994 Pacific Andes listed on the Hong Kong Exchange, and in 1996 an arm handling storage, distribution and trade had an offering in Singapore.

FORBES: On The Cover/Top Stories

So in 1994 Pacific Andes listed on the Hong Kong Exchange, and in 1996 an arm that handles storage, distribution and trade had an offering in Singapore.

FORBES: Blue Waters Gray Areas

Yet faced with the deepest slump since the Great Depression, politicians in many advanced economies feel powerless: they have discovered that many of the most powerful tools to alter the distribution of resources power over interest rates, exchange rates, trade and fiscal policy, and the banking system are placed beyond their reach.

WSJ: Two Ways to Look at Sovereignty Issue