Week 9 - Global Finance Flashcards
.
What triggered the intervention of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in the foreign exchange markets? a. To support the Hong Kong dollar and prevent it from weakening against the US dollar. b. To restrain the Hong Kong dollar from strengthening excessively against the US dollar. c. To influence the Big Mac Index. d. To comply with sanctions imposed by America.
b. To restrain the Hong Kong dollar from strengthening excessively against the US dollar.
What does the Big Mac Index indicate about the valuation of the Hong Kong Dollar in July? a. It was overvalued by nearly 54%. b. It was valued accurately. c. It was undervalued by almost 54%. d. Its peg to the US dollar reflected an unfair exchange rate.
c. It was undervalued by almost 54%.
.
Based on the Big Mac Index, what exchange rate would theoretically equalise the purchasing power of the Hong Kong dollar and the US dollar for buying burgers? a. HK$7.75 to the dollar b. HK$3.59 to the dollar c. HK$20.50 to the dollar d. US$5.71 to the dollar
b. HK$3.59 to the dollar
What is the definition of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)? a. The idea that currencies should be pegged to the US dollar. b. The principle that exchange rates should equalise the cost of a basket of goods across different countries. c. The theory that the Big Mac Index is a reliable predictor of short-term currency fluctuations. d. The belief that richer countries should have stronger currencies than poorer countries.
b. The principle that exchange rates should equalise the cost of a basket of goods across different countries.
5.
In the example provided, how did price movements contribute to maintaining Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) between India and the United States? a. The falling price of the Maharaja Mac in India compensated for the rupee’s depreciation against the dollar. b. The rising price of the Maharaja Mac in India offset the rupee’s decline against the dollar. c. The stable price of the Maharaja Mac in India ensured that PPP remained unaffected by exchange rate fluctuations. d. The Indian government intervened to manipulate the price of the Maharaja Mac and maintain PPP
. b. The rising price of the Maharaja Mac in India offset the rupee’s decline against the dollar.
How does the article characterise the returns from a hypothetical investment approach based on the Big Mac Index? a. Exceptionally profitable b. Consistently profitable c. Decent, though not extraordinary d. Consistently unprofitable
c. Decent, though not extraordinary
What is the main objective of the adjusted Big Mac Index? a. To provide a more accurate reflection of short-term currency fluctuations. b. To eliminate the influence of non-tradable goods and services on currency valuations. c. To account for differences in income levels when comparing currency valuations. d. To specifically track the price of the Big Mac in emerging markets.
c. To account for differences in income levels when comparing currency valuations.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a limitation of the Big Mac Index in predicting currency movements? a. Deviations from PPP might be rectified through price adjustments rather than exchange rate shifts. b. Wage disparities in wealthier countries can lead to higher prices even in sectors with lower productivity. c. The limited sample size of the Big Mac Index restricts its predictive power. d. The Big Mac is not a traded commodity like oil or gold.
c. The limited sample size of the Big Mac Index restricts its predictive power
.
What is the primary reason Euronext is considered the most likely buyer for Borsa Italiana? a. Euronext has a track record of aggressive acquisitions within the European market. b. Euronext is the sole bidder capable of offering synergies with Borsa Italiana. c. Euronext has formed a partnership with the Italian state, which has articulated a preference for keeping Borsa Italiana under Italian control. d. Euronext is the only contender committed to utilising LCH’s clearing house.
c. Euronext has formed a partnership with the Italian state, which has articulated a preference for keeping Borsa Italiana under Italian control.
.
Which political entity has voiced strong opposition to the sale of Borsa Italiana to foreign buyers? a. The Five Star Movement b. Consob, the financial regulator c. The Northern League d. Deutsche Börse
c. The Northern League
When is the European Commission expected to finalise its antitrust assessment of the Borsa Italiana sale? a. December 16th b. The following month c. The article does not specify. d. January 2013
a. December 16th
As per the article, which entity contributes roughly €45m in annual revenue to LCH’s clearing house? a. MTS b. Borsa Italiana c. Euronext d. Deutsche Börse
a. MTS
According to the source, what was the initial expectation regarding the euro’s potential impact on the global currency landscape? a. It was anticipated that the euro would swiftly surpass the US dollar in global prominence. b. Economists predicted that the euro would struggle to gain traction outside the European Union. c. Experts pondered whether the euro could challenge the dominance of the US dollar. d. The euro was projected to primarily serve as a regional currency with limited international influence.
c. Experts pondered whether the euro could challenge the dominance of the US dollar.
What is one of the primary benefits for businesses when their imports and exports are denominated in their local currency? a. Enhanced profitability due to reduced exchange rate fluctuations b. Simplified accounting procedures and reduced administrative burdens c. Mitigation of disruptions stemming from exchange rate volatility d. Increased competitiveness in international markets
c. Mitigation of disruptions stemming from exchange rate volatility
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the euro’s international standing compared to the US dollar, based on conventional metrics? a. The euro has consistently outperformed the US dollar in terms of international usage. b. The euro trails significantly behind the US dollar in terms of global adoption. c. The euro and the US dollar are essentially on par in terms of their international roles. d. The euro is primarily used for transactions within the European Union, while the US dollar dominates global finance.
b. The euro trails significantly behind the US dollar in terms of global adoption
What event marked a turning point that negatively impacted the euro’s global aspirations? a. The introduction of the euro banknotes and coins b. The onset of the 2007-2008 financial crisis c. The expansion of the European Union to include more member states d. The implementation of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) scheme
b. The onset of the 2007-2008 financial crisis
Which factor has contributed to renewed efforts to promote the euro’s international role? a. Growing confidence in the long-term stability of the US dollar b. Concerns about the potential weaponization of the US dollar c. Diminishing economic and political influence of the European Union d. A decrease in global trade and financial flows
b. Concerns about the potential weaponization of the US dollar
How did the European Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic affect perceptions of the euro? a. It raised doubts about the ability of the eurozone to withstand economic shocks. b. It led to a loss of confidence in the euro due to concerns about excessive government spending. c. It bolstered the euro’s credibility by demonstrating effective crisis management. d. It had minimal impact on the euro’s international reputation.
c. It bolstered the euro’s credibility by demonstrating effective crisis management.
What is the significance of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) bond issuance in relation to the euro’s global standing? a. It aims to directly challenge the dominance of the Chinese yuan in emerging markets. b. It primarily focuses on promoting the euro’s use within the European Union’s internal market. c. It seeks to establish a euro-denominated safe asset comparable to US Treasury bonds. d. It represents a temporary measure to address the immediate economic fallout of the pandemic.
c. It seeks to establish a euro-denominated safe asset comparable to US Treasury bonds
Which of the following is identified as a persistent challenge hindering the euro’s international expansion? a. The consistently high value of the euro compared to other major currencies. b. The European Central Bank’s (ECB) active discouragement of euro usage outside the eurozone. c. The widespread perception of the euro as a volatile and unpredictable currency. d. The fragmented nature of European capital markets compared to the US financial system.
d. The fragmented nature of European capital markets compared to the US financial system.
.
What historical precedent does the source evoke when discussing potential future scenarios for the international monetary system? a. The Bretton Woods system, which established the US dollar as the dominant global reserve currency. b. A pre-World War II system characterized by multiple currencies sharing global reserve status. c. A hypothetical future scenario where digital currencies entirely replace traditional fiat currencies. d. The gold standard era, when the value of currencies was directly linked to the price of gold.
b. A pre-World War II system characterized by multiple currencies sharing global reserve status.
What underlying sentiment does the source convey regarding the euro’s relationship with the US dollar? a. A sense of resignation to the enduring supremacy of the US dollar in the global financial system. b. An aspiration to completely displace the US dollar as the world’s leading reserve currency. c. A desire to achieve a more balanced international monetary system and reduce reliance on the US dollar. d. A lack of interest in expanding the euro’s international role, prioritizing its stability within the eurozone.
c. A desire to achieve a more balanced international monetary system and reduce reliance on the US dollar.
.
In a free-floating exchange rate system, what primarily determines the value of a currency? a. Government intervention and manipulation b. Central bank policies and interest rate adjustments c. The forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market d. The amount of gold reserves held by the country
c. The forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market
Which of the following is a characteristic of a free-floating exchange rate system? a. The central bank actively intervenes to influence the exchange rate. b. The government sets a fixed target for the exchange rate. c. The exchange rate is allowed to fluctuate freely based on market dynamics. d. The currency’s value is pegged to another currency or a basket of currencies.
c. The exchange rate is allowed to fluctuate freely based on market dynamics.
How does a managed floating exchange rate system differ from a free-floating system? a. In a managed floating system, the central bank never intervenes in the foreign exchange market. b. While the currency generally floats freely, the central bank may occasionally intervene to influence its value. c. A managed floating system maintains a fixed exchange rate against a specific currency. d. A managed floating system relies solely on interest rate adjustments to control the exchange rate.
b. While the currency generally floats freely, the central bank may occasionally intervene to influence its value
.
Which countries are mentioned as examples of those operating with a managed floating exchange rate system? a. The United States and the United Kingdom b. Brazil and India c. Hong Kong and Bulgaria d. Denmark and Saudi Arabia
b. Brazil and India
.
What is the primary objective of a fixed exchange rate system? a. To allow the currency to appreciate rapidly to combat inflation b. To encourage frequent devaluations to boost exports c. To maintain the value of a country’s currency at a predetermined level against another currency or a basket of currencies d. To eliminate the need for foreign exchange reserves
c. To maintain the value of a country’s currency at a predetermined level against another currency or a basket of currencies
What is a crucial requirement for a central bank to maintain a fixed exchange rate? a. Holding sufficient foreign exchange reserves to intervene in the market when necessary b. Allowing the currency to float freely within a predetermined range c. Setting interest rates solely to achieve domestic economic objectives d. Implementing strict capital controls to restrict currency flows
a. Holding sufficient foreign exchange reserves to intervene in the market when necessary
Which term is used to describe a decrease in the value of a currency under a fixed exchange rate system? a. Appreciation b. Depreciation c. Revaluation d. Devaluation
d. Devaluation
Which of the following currency pegs is mentioned as an example of a fixed exchange rate system? a. The Singapore dollar against a basket of currencies b. The Hong Kong dollar against the US dollar c. The Brazilian real against the US dollar d. The Chinese yuan against the US dollar within a 2% band
b. The Hong Kong dollar against the US dollar
What distinguishes a currency board system from a traditional fixed exchange rate system? a. A currency board system allows for greater flexibility in exchange rate adjustments. b. A currency board system relies on market forces to determine the exchange rate. c. A currency board system fully backs the domestic currency with a foreign reserve currency, ensuring complete convertibility at a fixed rate. d. A currency board system is typically managed by a multinational organization rather than a single country’s central bank.
c. A currency board system fully backs the domestic currency with a foreign reserve currency, ensuring complete convertibility at a fixed rate.
0.
Based on the source’s classification, which of the following countries operates with a semi-fixed exchange rate system? a. China b. Australia c. Zimbabwe d. Canada
a. China
.
What is cited as a likely reason for the popularity of managed floating exchange rate systems? a. They completely eliminate exchange rate volatility, providing stability for businesses. b. They allow governments to manipulate exchange rates for short-term political gains. c. They offer a balance between stability and flexibility, allowing for adjustments while mitigating excessive fluctuations. d. They require minimal intervention from central banks, reducing the need for foreign exchange reserves.
. c. They offer a balance between stability and flexibility, allowing for adjustments while mitigating excessive fluctuations
Which of the following is NOT a tool that central banks can use to influence exchange rates in a managed floating system? a. Buying or selling their own currency in the foreign exchange market b. Adjusting interest rates to attract or deter foreign investment c. Imposing capital controls to restrict currency flows d. Setting a fixed exchange rate target that cannot be adjusted
d. Setting a fixed exchange rate target that cannot be adjusted
What event in 2022 demonstrated the US’s financial power? a. The US’s trade war with China. b. The financial sanctions placed on the Russian Central Bank after the invasion of Ukraine. c. The interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. d. The US selling off its Treasury bonds to other countries.
b. The financial sanctions placed on the Russian Central Bank after the invasion of Ukraine.
What was the response of countries like Russia, China, and India to the US’s financial power in 2022? a. They immediately developed an alternative currency system. b. They started to reduce their reliance on the US Dollar, but it would take time. c. They began to use cryptocurrency instead of fiat currency. d. They had no response.
(b) They started to reduce their reliance on the US Dollar, but it would take time.