ELEC 3 Flashcards
is the conversion of one currency into another at a specific rate known as the foreign exchange rate. The conversion for rates almost all currencies are constantly floating as they are driven by the market forces of supply and demand.
Foreign exchange or (fx or forex)
FACTORS THAT AFFECT FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
May factors can potentially influence the market forces behind foreign exchange rates. The
factors include various economic, political and even psychological conditions.
The economic factors
include a government’s economic policies, trade balances, inflation and economic growth outlook.
is a decentralized and over the counter market where all currency exchanges trades occur. It is
the largest (in terms of trading volume) and the most liquid market in the world
THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET
The forex market’s major trading centers are located in major financial hubs around the world
including New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hongkong and Sydney
Is a theory regarding the relationship between the spot exchanges rate and the expected spot
rate or forward exchange rate of two currencies, based on interest rates.
The theory holds that the forward exchange rate should be equal to the spot currency exchange
rate times the interest rate of the home country, divided by the interest rate of the foreign
country.
INTEREST RATE PARITY
refers to the state in which no-arbitrage is
satisfied without the use of a forward contract
Uncovered IRP
to the state in which no-arbitrage is satisfied with the
use of a forward contract
covered interest rate parity
INTEREST RATE PARITY EQUATION
St(a/b)= The spot rate (in currency a per currency b)
ST(a/b)= Expected Spot Rate at time T (in currency A per currency b)
Ft= The Forward Rate (in currency a per currency b)
ia= interest rate of country A
ib= interest rate of country B
T= time to expiration date
This theory states that the exchange rate between currencies of two countries should be equal
to the ratio of the countries’ price levels.
PURCHASING POWER PARITY
a tool used to make multilateral comparisons
between the national incomes and living standards of different countries.
concept of Purchasing Power Parity
The concept originated in the 16th century was developed by Swedish economist Gustav Cassel in
1918. This concept is based on the “law of one price” which states that similar goods will cost the same
in different markets when the prices are expressed in the same currency (assuming the absence of
transaction cost or trade barriers)
ORIGIN OF PURCHASING POWER PARITY
ORIGIN OF PURCHASING POWER PARITY
There are two popular techniques:
ABSOLUTE PPP
RELATIVE PPP
states that similar products in different countries should be priced equally when measured in common currency
ABSOLUTE PPP
that account for imperfections like transportation costs, tariffs and quotas. It states that the rate of price changes should be similar.
RELATIVE PPP
RELIABILITY OF PURCHASING POWER PARITY
Although it is widely used, PPP ratios may not always portray the real standard of living in
countries for the following reasons.
- The underlying expenditure and price levels that represent consumption patterns may not be
reported correctly. - It is difficult to construct identical baskets of goods and services while comparing dissimilar
countries, as people show different tastes and preferences, and the quality of the items varies. - The prices of traded goods are rarely seen to be equal, as there are trade restrictions and other
barriers to trade that result in deviation from PPP
is the risk incurred due to the fluctuations in exchange rates before the contract is settled.
Transaction Exposure
When the transaction exposure exists, the firm faces three major tasks:
- Identify its degree of transaction exposure.
- Decide whether to hedge this exposure.
- Choose a hedging techniques if it decides to hedge part or all of the exposure.
FINANCIAL TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING TRANSACTION EXPOSURE
The following are the financial techniques for hedging transaction exposure
FUTURE CONTRACTS
FORWARD CONTRACTS
MONEY MARKET HEDGING
OPTIONS
if a firm is required to pay a specific amount of foreign currency in the future, it can enter into a contract that fixes are the price for the foreign currency for a future date. This eliminates
the chances of suffering due to currency fluctuations.
FORWARD CONTRACTS
are similar to forward contracts. However it is have standardized and limited maturity dates, initial collateral and contract sizes.
FUTURE CONTRACTS
The forward price is equal to the current spot price multiplied by the ratio of the currency’s riskless returns. This also creates the finance for the foreign currency transaction
MONEY MARKET HEDGE
involve an upfront fee and do not oblige the owner to trade currencies
at a specified price, time period and quantity.
OPTION CONTRACTS
OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING TRANSACTION EXPOSURE
The following are the operational techniques for managing transaction exposure
RISK SHIFTING
CURRENCY RISK SHIFTING
LEADING AND LAGGING
REINVOICING CENTER
the firm can completely avoid transaction exposure by not involving itself in foreign
exchange at all. All the transactions can be conducted in the home currency. However, this is not possible
for all types of businesses
RISK SHIFTING
the two parties involved in the deal can have the understanding to share the transaction risk
CURRENCY RISK SHARING
manipulating currency cash flows in accordance
with the fluctuations.
LEADING AND LAGGING
Paying off liabilities when the currency is appreciating is known as
LEADING
collecting receivables when the currency is at a low value in called
LAGGING
It is a single third-party subsidiary used to conduct all intra-
company trades.
It carries out transactions in domestic currency, thereby bearing
the losses from the transaction exposures.
REINVOICING CENTERS
refers to an effect caused on a company’s cash
flows due to unexpected currency rate fluctuations
Economic exposure, also known as operating exposure
long-term in nature and
have a substantial impact on a company’s market value.;
ECONOMIC EXPOSURE
is higher for firms having both, product prices and input costs sensitive to currency
fluctuations. It is lower when costs and prices are not sensitive to currency fluctuations.
do not adjust its markets, product mix, and source of
inputs in accordance with currency fluctuations. Flexibility in adapting to currency rate fluctuations
indicates lesser economic exposure.
Economic exposure .
The risk of economic exposure can be hedged either by operational
strategies or currency risk mitigation strategies.
MANAGING ECONOMIC EXPOSURE
What are the Operational Strategies
Diversifying Production Facilities and Market for Products
Sourcing Flexibility
Diversifying Financing
What are the Currency Risk Mitigation Strategies
Matching Currency Flows
Currency Risk Sharing Agreements
Back-to Back Loans
Currency Swaps.
190
IMF MEMBERS
189
MEMBER OF WORLD BANK
WHOS USING IMF
BORROWING, PRECAUTIONARY, INVESTING
GRANTS AND LOANS
INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT