MGT 3460 Assignment #1 Questions and Solutions 1. How is international financial management different from domestic financial management?

Answer: There are three major dimensions that set apart international finance from domestic finance. They are: 1. foreign exchange and political risks, 2. market imperfections, and 3. expanded opportunity set. We are now living in a world where all the major economic functions, i.e., consumption, production, and investment, are highly globalized. It is thus essential for financial managers to fully understand vital international dimensions of financial management. This global shift is in marked contrast to a situation that existed when the authors of this book were learning finance some twenty years ago. At that time, most professors customarily (and safely, to some extent) ignored international aspects of finance. This mode of operation has become untenable since then. 2. State the theory of comparative advantage. From the following table calculate the opportunity costs for each country A and B of producing goods X and Y with a unit of generalized input K. Draw the production possibility boundaries for each country. Draw the consumption (trade) possibilities boundary for each on the PPB graphs assuming that the terms of trade are 50/50 (.5). What considerations might limit the extent to which the theory of comparative advantage is realistic? According to David Ricardo, with free international trade, it is mutually beneficial for two countries to each specialize in the production of the goods that it can produce relatively most efficiently and then trade those goods. By doing so, the two countries can increase their combined production, which allows both countries to consume more of both goods. This argument remains valid even if a country can produce both goods more efficiently than the other country. International trade is not a zero-sum game in which one country benefits at the expense of another country. Rather, international trade could be an increasing-sum game at which all players become winners. The theory claims that economic well-being is enhanced if each countrys citizens produce what they have a comparative advantage in producing relative to the citizens of other countries, and then trade products. Country A B Units of input (000,000) K Output per unit of input X Y
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100 200 50 30 20 10

What considerations might limit the extent to which the theory of comparative advantage is realistic? Answer: Underlying the theory are the assumptions of free trade between nations and that the factors of production (land, buildings, labor, technology, and capital) are relatively immobile and there is full employment. To the extent that these assumptions do not hold, the theory of comparative advantage will not realistically describe international trade. The figure below shows the PPC for each country, with the respective opportunity costs for each good in each country. Country A can produce Y more efficiently (lower cost) and Country B can produce X more efficiently. Therefore the trade possibilities curves (dashed lines) at 50/50 sharing terms of trade start at the good each country will specialize in and expand out beyond the PPC.
CountryA Y (Opp cost = 1.67) 3000 PPC

|Slope| = .6 |Slope| = .5 The PPC slope for Country TPC Trade Possibilities Curve: |Slope| = .55

5000 X (Opp cost = .6) Production & Trade Possibilities Country B Y (Opp cost = 2) 2000 TPC Trade Possibilities Curve: |Slope| = .55 |Slope| = .5 |Slope| = .6 The PPC slope for Country 4000 X (Opp cost = .5)

PPC

3. Emphasizing the importance of voluntary compliance, as opposed to enforcement, in the aftermath of corporate scandals, e.g., Enron and WorldCom, U.S. President George W. Bush stated that while tougher laws might help, ultimately, the ethics of American business depends on the conscience of Americas business leaders. Describe your view on this statement. Answer: [There can be different answers to this question] If business leaders always behave with a high ethical standard, many of the corporate scandals we have seen lately might not have happened. Since we cannot fully depend on the ethical behavior on the part of business leaders, the society should protect itself by adopting the rules/regulations and governance structure that would induce business leaders to behave in the interest of the society at large. 4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the gold standard. Explain the mechanism which restores the balance of payments equilibrium when it is disturbed under the gold standard. Answer: The advantages of the gold standard include: (I) since the supply of gold is restricted, countries cannot have high inflation; (2) any BOP disequilibrium can be corrected automatically through cross-border flows of gold. On the other hand, the main disadvantages of the gold standard are: (I) the world economy can be subject to deflationary pressure due to restricted supply of gold; (ii) the gold standard itself has no mechanism to enforce the rules of the game, and, as a result, countries may pursue economic policies (like de-monetization of gold) that are incompatible with the gold standard. Explain the mechanism which restores the balance of payments equilibrium when it is disturbed under the gold standard. The adjustment mechanism under the gold standard is referred to as the price-specie-flow mechanism expounded by David Hume. Under the gold standard, a balance of payment disequilibrium will be corrected by a counter-flow of gold. Suppose that the U.S. imports more from the U.K. than it exports to the latter. Under the classical gold standard, gold, which is the only means of international payments, will flow from the U.S. to the U.K. As a result, the U.S. (U.K.) will experience a decrease (increase) in money supply. This means that the price level will tend to fall in the U.S. and rise in the U.K. Consequently, the U.S. products become more competitive in the export market, while U.K. products become less competitive. This change will improve U.S. balance of payments and at the same time hurt the U.K. balance of payments, eventually eliminating the initial BOP disequilibrium. 5. Explain the arbitrage process when fixed exchange rates have differing prices and illustrate your answer with the supply and demand model. What would be the effect of transactions costs on your answer? Answer: As with anything bought and sold, if exchange rates are different in different markets yet are fixed by each country there is an opportunity for arbitrage the process of buying in the low priced market and selling in the high priced market and pocketing the difference as profit. See graph below for illustration using the supply and demand model.

Arbitrage
Market A P P Pe
A

Market B
S S* D PB P S

D* D

Y*
Sell in the high market

QY
S

Y*
Buy in the low market D

QY

Arbitrage brings markets together over space, bringing a common price (except transaction costs).

6. Why did the Bretton Woods system fail? Answer: The answer to this question is related to the Triffin paradox. The US was providing the world with currency using the $35/ounce gold standard. Under the gold-exchange system, the reserve-currency country should run BOP deficits to supply reserves to the world economy, but if the deficits are large and persistent, they can lead to a crisis of confidence in the reserve currency itself, eventually causing the downfall of the system when there is a run on the bank, as in the case of France redeeming gold for large amounts of US$. 7. What are the criteria for a good international monetary system? Answer: A good international monetary system should provide (i) sufficient liquidity to the world economy, (ii) smooth adjustments to BoP disequilibriums as they arise, and (iii) safeguard against the crisis of confidence in the systemA banker of last resort. 8. What do you consider determines the possibility for the euro to become another global currency rivaling the U.S. dollar? If the euro really becomes a global currency, what impact will it have on the U.S. dollar and the world economy?
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Answer: The degree of use of the Euro in Europe and the in the world. In light of the large transactions domain of the euro, which is comparable to that of the U.S. dollar, and the mandate for the European Central Bank (ECB) to guarantee the monetary stability in Europe, the euro is likely to become another global currency over time. A major uncertainty about this prospect is the lack of political integration of Europe. If Europe becomes politically more integrated, the euro is more likely to become a global currency. If the euro becomes a global currency, it will come at the expense of the dollar. Currently, the U.S. derives substantial benefits from the dollars status as the dominant global currency for instance, the U.S. can run trade deficits without having to maintain substantial foreign exchange reserves, can carry out international commercial and financial transactions in dollars without bearing exchange risk, etc. If the euro is to be used as a major denomination, reserve, and invoice currency in the world economy, dollarbased agents will start to bear more exchange risk, among other things. 9. Why is it useful to examine a countrys balance of payments data? Answer: It would be useful to examine a countrys BoP for at least two reasons. First, BoP provides detailed information about the supply and demand of the countrys currency. Second, BoP data can be used to evaluate the performance of the country in international economic competition. For example, if a country is experiencing perennial BoP deficits, it may signal that the countrys industries lack competitiveness. For example, current account deficits of U.S. reflect an historically high real interest rate in the U.S. due to ballooning federal budget deficits that kept the dollar strong and weak competitiveness of the U.S. industries. 10. Is it desirable to have continuous current account surpluses? Answer: Continuous current account surpluses appear positive as export industries thrive however the surpluses are maintained by an artificially low FX rate and may reflect (and cause) low productivity.. Continuous current account surpluses disrupt free trade by promoting protectionist sentiment in the deficit country. It is not desirable especially when it is brought about by the mercantilist (export all you can) policies. Japan is an example of a country keeping the Yen low to promote exports and capital export. 11. Explain how a country can run an overall balance of payments deficit or surplus. Answer: A country can run an overall BOP deficit or surplus by engaging in the official reserve transactions. Official reserve assets are those financial assets that can be used as international means of payments. Currently, official reserve assets comprise: (I) gold, (ii) foreign exchanges, (iii) special drawing rights (SDRs), and (iv) reserve positions with the IMF. Foreign exchanges are by far the most important official reserves. For example, an overall BOP deficit can be supported by drawing down the central banks reserve holdings. Likewise, an overall BOP surplus can be absorbed by adding to the central banks reserve holdings. 12. Foreigners have invested significantly in both direct and portfolio investments in Canada. What are the short-term and long-term effects of foreigners investment on the Canadian balance of payments? Illustrate with BoP accounts.
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Answer: Direct and portfolio investment by foreigners in Canada are positives in the BoP capital account in the year they are received (short term effect). However, payments of investment income (negative) on long term investment will occur every year in the current account. Account Credit Debit _______________________________________________________________ Capital Direct investment in a Canada Portfolio Investment in Canada Current Investment Income paid to foreigners _______________________________________________________________

13. Using a table indicate how each of the following transactions will be classified and recorded in the debit and credit of the Canadian balance of payments:

a. An American insurance company purchases Cdn bonds and pays out of its bank account kept in Toronto. b. A Canadian consumes a meal at a restaurant in Paris and pays with her VISA card. c. An Indian immigrant living in Calgary sends a cheque drawn on his Royal Bank account as a gift to his parents living in Bombay. d. A computer programmer is hired by a British company for consulting. Answer: _________________________________________________________________ Transactions Credit Debit _______________________________________________________________ American purchase of Cdn bonds American payment using Toronto account Cdn. citizen having a meal in Paris Paying the meal with Visa Gift to parents in Bombay Receipts of the cheque by parents (goodwill)

Export of programming service British payment out its account in Canada. _________________________________________________________________

14. Construct the balance of payment table for Mexico for the year of 2002 which is comparable in format to Exhibit 3.1, and interpret the data. Hint: search the IMF or other websites for the data. Answer: The data was found at the Mexican Ministry of Finance and Debt site: http://www.shcp.gob.mx/english/index.html

Total Year 2002* A. CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE -14,058.3 Exports (merchandise) 160,682.0 Imports (merchandise) -168,678.9 Transportation and insurance (net) -5,255.0 Tourism (net) 3,947.1 Excursionists (net) -1,148.9 Financial services (net) -12,824.8 Interest payments -11,994.9 Profit remittances -1,235.5 Investment income 405.6 Other services and transfers (net) 9,220.2 B. CAPITAL ACCOUNT BALANCE 20,377.5 Liabilities 8,612.2 Loans and deposits -3,883.6 Development banks -545.0 Commercial banks 498.7 Non-financial public sector -1,619.5 Non-financial private sector 779.6 Banco de Mxico 3/ 0.0 Foreign investment (total) 12,495.8 Assets 11,765.3 In foreign banks 10,773.3 Mexican direct investment -969.1 Credits to non-residents 190.0 External debt guarantees 1,133.8 Other 637.3 C. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS 770.3 D. CHANGES IN NET INTERNATIONAL RESERVES 7,104.1 E. VALUE AND EXCHANGE ADJUSTMENTS -14.4 Balance
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15. If a country balance of payments is running a deficit in a flexible exchange rate environment explain using supply and demand the effect on the exchange rate. What should the monetary authorities do if the wish to maintain the current exchange rate. Answer: As illustrated in the graph below, the quantity demanded of foreign exchange is greater than the quantity supplied QD > QS as there is a Balance of Payments deficit. The FE market will reach equilibrium and the dollar will depreciate. This will cause imports to fall and exports to rise bringing the BoP into balance.

Foreign Exchange Market

$Cdn

Pe
P D

QS Q* QD

FE

If the Bank of Canada wishes to maintain the current exchange rate it could increase the supply of foreign currencies by selling some of its reserves, as illustrated in the following graph.

Foreign Exchange Market

$Cdn S S*

QS

QD Q*
8

FE

16. Banks find it necessary to accommodate their clients needs to buy or sell FX forward, in many instances for hedging purposes. How can the bank eliminate the currency exposure it has created for itself by accommodating a clients forward transaction? Answer: Swap transactions provide a means for the bank to mitigate the currency exposure in a forward trade. A swap transaction is the simultaneous sale (or purchase) of spot foreign exchange against a forward purchase (or sale) of an approximately equal amount of the foreign currency. To illustrate, suppose a bank customer wants to buy dollars three months forward against British pound sterling. The bank can handle this trade for its customer and simultaneously neutralize the exchange rate risk in the trade by selling (borrowed) British pound sterling spot against dollars. The bank will lend the dollars for three months until they are needed to deliver against the dollars it has sold forward. The British pounds received will be used to liquidate the sterling loan. 17. A CD/$ bank trader is currently quoting a small figure bid-ask of 35-40, when the rest of the market is trading at CD1.3436-CD1.3441. What is implied about the traders beliefs by his prices? Answer: The trader must think the Canadian dollar is going to appreciate against the U.S. dollar and therefore he is trying to increase his inventory of Canadian dollars by discouraging purchases of U.S. dollars by standing willing to buy $ at only CD1.3435/$1.00 and offering to sell from inventory at the slightly lower than market price of CD1.3440/$1.00.

18. What is triangular arbitrage? What is a condition that will give rise to a triangular arbitrage opportunity? Answer: Triangular arbitrage is the process of trading out of the U.S. dollar into a second currency, then trading it for a third currency, which is in turn traded for U.S. dollars. The purpose is to earn an arbitrage profit via trading from the second to the third currency when the direct exchange between the two is not in alignment with the cross exchange rate. Most, but not all, currency transactions go through the dollar. Certain banks specialize in making a direct market between non-dollar currencies, pricing at a narrower bid-ask spread than the cross-rate spread. Nevertheless, the implied cross-rate bid-ask quotations impose a discipline on the non-dollar market makers. If their direct quotes are not consistent with the cross exchange rates, a triangular arbitrage profit is possible. 19. Assume you are a trader with Deutsche Bank. From the quote screen on your computer terminal, you notice that Dresdner Bank is quoting 1.0242/$1.00 and Credit Suisse is offering SF1.5030/$1.00. You learn that UBS is making a direct market between the Swiss franc and the euro, with a current /SF quote of .6750. Show how you can make a triangular arbitrage profit by trading at these prices. (Ignore bid-ask spreads for this problem.) Assume you have $5,000,000 with which to conduct the arbitrage. What happens if you initially sell dollars for Swiss francs? What /SF price will eliminate triangular arbitrage? Solution: To make a triangular arbitrage profit the Deutsche Bank trader would sell $5,000,000 to Dresdner Bank at 1.0242/$1.00. This trade would yield 5,121,000= $5,000,000 x 1.0242.
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The Deutsche Bank trader would then sell the euros for Swiss francs to Union Bank of Switzerland at a price of 0.6750/SF1.00, yielding SF7,586,667 = 5,121,000/.6750. The Deutsche Bank trader will resell the Swiss francs to Credit Suisse for $5,047,683 = SF7,586,667/1.5030, yielding a triangular arbitrage profit of $47,683. If the Deutsche Bank trader initially sold $5,000,000 for Swiss francs, instead of euros, the trade would yield SF7,515,000 = $5,000,000 x 1.5030. The Swiss francs would in turn be traded for euros to UBS for 5,072,625= SF7,515,000 x .6750. The euros would be resold to Dresdner Bank for $4,952,768 = 5,072,625/1.0242, or a loss of $47,232. Thus, it is necessary to conduct the triangular arbitrage in the correct order. The S(/SF) cross exchange rate should be 1.0242/1.5030 = .6814. This is an equilibrium rate at which a triangular arbitrage profit will not exist. (The student can determine this for himself.) A profit results from the triangular arbitrage when dollars are first sold for euros because Swiss francs are purchased for euros at too low a rate in comparison to the equilibrium cross-rate, i.e., Swiss francs are purchased for only 0.6750/SF1.00 instead of the no-arbitrage rate of 0.6814/SF1.00. Similarly, when dollars are first sold for Swiss francs, an arbitrage loss results because Swiss francs are sold for euros at too low a rate, resulting in too few euros. That is, each Swiss franc is sold for 0.6750/SF1.00 instead of the higher no-arbitrage rate of 0.6814/SF1.00. 20. The current spot exchange rate is $1.55/ and the three-month forward rate is $1.50/. Based on your analysis of the exchange rate, you are pretty confident that the spot exchange rate will be $1.52/ in three months. Assume that you would like to buy or sell 1,000,000. What actions do you need to take to speculate in the forward market? What is the expected dollar profit from speculation? What would be your speculative profit in dollar terms if the spot exchange rate actually turns out to be $1.46/. Answer: If you believe the spot exchange rate will be $1.52/ in three months, you should buy 1,000,000 forward for $1.50/. Your expected profit will be: $20,000 = 1,000,000 x ($1.52 -$1.50). If the spot exchange rate actually turns out to be $1.46/ in three months, your loss from the long position will be: -$40,000 = 1,000,000 x ($1.46 -$1.50).

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