Consider the Situation of Firm a and Firm B $$\begin{array} { l l l } & \$ & £ \\\text { A } & \$ 6 \% & £5 \% \\B & \$7 \% & £ 4\%\end{array}$$

question 20

Essay

Consider the situation of firm A and firm B.The current exchange rate is $2.00/£ Firm A is a U.S.MNC and wants to borrow £30 million for 2 years.Firm B is a British MNC and wants to borrow $60 million for 2 years.Their borrowing opportunities are as shown,both firms have AAA credit ratings.
$$\begin{array} { l l l } & \$ & £ \\\text { A } & \$ 6 \% & £5 \% \\B & \$7 \% & £ 4\%\end{array}$$ The IRP 1-year and 2-year forward exchange rates are $F _ { 1 }$ ($ ∣ £)= $\frac { \$ 2.00 \times ( 1.06 ) } { £ 1.00 \times ( 1.04 ) }$ = $\frac { \$ 2.0385 } { £ 1.00 }$ $F _ { 2 }$ ($ ∣ £)= $\frac { \$ 2.00 \times ( 1.06 ) ^ { 2 } } { £ 1.00 \times ( 1.04 ) ^ { 2 } }$ = $\frac { \$ 2.0777 } { £ 1.00 }$ USD pounds
$$\begin{array} { c c c c } \text { Bid } & \text { Ask } & \text { Bid } & \text { Ask } \\6\% & 6.1 \% & 4 \%& 4 .1\%\end{array}$$ Explain how this opportunity affects which swap firm B will be willing to participate in.

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Definitions:

Interest Rate

The percentage of an amount of money charged by a lender to a borrower for the use of assets.

Effective Interest Rate

A measure of the real cost of borrowing that takes into account the effect of compounding interest in addition to the nominal rate.

Compensating Balance

Compensating Balance is a minimum bank account balance that a borrower must maintain as part of a loan agreement, often used by banks as a requirement for extending a loan.

Interest Rate

The percentage of principal charged by the lender for the use of its money or the return earned on deposited funds.