Managing Transaction Exposure 5
dollar was $.50. At noon, the Federal Reserve reduced U.S. interest rates, while there was no change
in interest rates in Singapore. The Fed’s actions immediately increased the degree of uncertainty
surrounding the value of the Singapore dollar over the next three months. The Singapore dollar’s spot
rate remained at $.50 throughout the day. Assume that the U.S. and Singapore interest rates were the
same as of this morning. Also assume that the international Fisher effect holds. If Red River Co.
purchased a currency call option contract at the money this morning to hedge its exposure, would you
expect that its total U.S. dollar cash outflows be MORE THAN, LESS THAN, or THE SAME AS the
total U.S. dollar cash outflows if it had negotiated a forward contract this morning? Explain.
44. Hedging With Forward Versus Option Contracts. Assume that interest parity exists. Today, the
one-year interest rate in Canada is the same as the one-year interest rate in the U.S. Utah Co. uses the
forward rate to forecast the future spot rate of the Canadian dollar that will exist in one year. It needs
to purchase Canadian dollars in one year. Will the expected cost of its payables be lower if it hedges
its payables with a one-year forward contract on Canadian dollars or a one-year at-the-money call
option contract on Canadian dollars? Explain.
45. Hedging With a Bullspread. (See the chapter appendix.) Evar Imports Inc. buys chocolate from
Switzerland and resells it in the U.S. It just purchased chocolate invoiced at SF62,500. Payment for
the invoice is due in 30 days. Assume that the current exchange rate of the Swiss franc is $.74. Also
assume that three call options for the franc are available. The first option has a strike price of $.74 and
a premium of $.03; the second option has a strike price of $.77 and a premium of $.01; the third
option has a strike price of $.80 and a premium of $.006. Evar Imports is concerned about a modest
appreciation in the Swiss franc.
a. Describe how Evar Imports could construct a bullspread using the first two options. What is the
cost of this hedge? When is this hedge most effective? When is it least effective?
b. Describe how Evar Imports could construct a bullspread using the first option and the third
option. What is the cost of this hedge? When is this hedge most effective? When is it least
effective?
c. Given your answers to parts (a) and (b), what is the tradeoff involved in constructing a bullspread
using call options with a higher exercise price?
ANSWER:
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