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b) Kings Ltd, a UK firm, bought goods on credit from a USA supplier worth USD [tex]$350,000, payable in 6 months' time in US Dollars. The finance manager of the firm is worried that the cost of these supplies in Euros may rise and has decided to hedge the currency exposure of this account payable.

The following information has been provided by the firm's banker:

- Spot Exchange rate (USD / 1 Euro (€)) $[/tex]\quad 1.166[tex]$
- Six Months forward rate (USD / 1 Euro (€)) $[/tex]\quad 1.155[tex]$

The Money market rates applicable:
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|}
\hline
& Borrowing rate & Deposit rate \\
\hline
\begin{tabular}{l}
Annual Interest rate in Euros \\
(€)
\end{tabular} & $[/tex]14 \%[tex]$ & $[/tex]6 \%[tex]$ \\
\hline
\begin{tabular}{l}
Annual Interest rate in US \\
Dollars (USD)
\end{tabular} & $[/tex]10 \%[tex]$ & $[/tex]4 \%$ \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Required:
Show how the firm can use a forward market hedge and a money market hedge in order to hedge the currency exposure.
(9 Marks)


Sagot :

Let's solve the given problem using both a forward market hedge and a money market hedge step-by-step.

### Forward Market Hedge

Step 1: Calculate the amount in Euros that will be equivalent to [tex]$350,000 at the forward rate. The six-month forward rate given is 1.155 ($[/tex]/€).

[tex]\[ \text{Euro equivalent forward} = \frac{\$350,000}{\text{Forward rate}} = \frac{350,000}{1.155} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \text{Euro equivalent forward} \approx 303,030.30 \, \text{Euros} \][/tex]

### Money Market Hedge

Step 1: Calculate the present value of the Euros needed to be borrowed now.

The annual borrowing interest rate for Euros is 14%.

[tex]\[ \text{Monthly interest rate for Euros} = \frac{0.14}{12} \approx 0.01167 \, \text{(or 1.167% per month)} \][/tex]

For a 6-month period, the interest rate would be:

[tex]\[ \text{Interest rate for 6 months} = 1 + (0.14 \times \frac{6}{12}) = 1 + 0.07 = 1.07 \][/tex]

Thus, the present value of Euros to be borrowed now:

[tex]\[ \text{Euro present value} = \frac{303,030.30 \, \text{Euros}}{1.07} \approx 283,205.89 \, \text{Euros} \][/tex]

Step 2: Convert this amount of Euros to USD at the spot rate.

The spot rate given is 1.166 ([tex]$/€). \[ \text{USD equivalent of present value} = 283,205.89 \, \text{Euros} \times 1.166 = 330,218.07 \, \text{USD} \] Step 3: Invest this amount in the USD market at the deposit rate. The annual deposit interest rate for USD is 4%. \[ \text{Monthly interest rate for USD} = \frac{0.04}{12} \approx 0.00333 \, \text{(or 0.333% per month)} \] For a 6-month period, the interest rate would be: \[ \text{Interest rate for 6 months} = 1 + (0.04 \times \frac{6}{12}) = 1 + 0.02 = 1.02 \] \[ \text{Future value of USD investment} = 330,218.07 \, \text{USD} \times 1.02 \approx 336,822.43 \, \text{USD} \] By following these steps, the firm can hedge its currency exposure through both the forward market and the money market. The results show: 1. For the Forward Market Hedge, the firm would need to have €303,030.30 in six months. 2. For the Money Market Hedge, the firm would borrow approximately €283,205.89 now, convert that to $[/tex]330,218.07 using the spot rate, and invest this amount in USD to get approximately [tex]$336,822.43 in six months. Both methods would ensure that the firm is protected against currency fluctuation risks for its payable amount of $[/tex]350,000 due in six months.