Chapter 4

Exchange Rate Determination

1. The value of the Australian dollar (A$) today is $0.73. Yesterday, the value of the Australian dollar was $0.69. The Australian dollar _______ by _______%. A) depreciated; 5.80 B) depreciated; 4.00 C) appreciated; 5.80 D) appreciated; 4.00 ANSWER: C SOLUTION: ($0.73 $0.69)/$0.69 = 5.80% 2. If a currencys spot rate market is _______, its exchange rate is likely to be _______ to a single large purchase or sale transaction. A) liquid; highly sensitive B) illiquid; insensitive C) illiquid; highly sensitive D) none of these ANSWER: C 3. _______ is not a factor that causes currency supply and demand schedules to change. A) Relative inflation rates B) Relative interest rates C) Relative income levels D) Expectations E) All of these are factors that cause currency supply and demand schedules to change. ANSWER: E 4. A large increase in the income level in Mexico along with no growth in the U.S. income level is normally expected to cause (assuming no change in interest rates or other factors) a(n) _______ in Mexican demand for U.S. goods, and the Mexican peso should _______. A) increase; appreciate B) increase; depreciate C) decrease; depreciate D) decrease; appreciate ANSWER: B

158

159

International Financial Management

5. An increase in U.S. interest rates relative to German interest rates would likely _______ the U.S. demand for euros and _______ the supply of euros for sale. A) reduce; increase B) increase; reduce C) reduce; reduce D) increase; increase ANSWER: A 6. Investors from Germany, the United States, and Britain frequently invest in each other based on prevailing interest rates. If British interest rates increase, German investors are likely to buy _______ dollar-denominated securities, and the euro is likely to _______ relative to the dollar. A) fewer; depreciate B) fewer; appreciate C) more; depreciate D) more; appreciate ANSWER: A 7. When the real interest rate is relatively low in a given country, then the currency of that country is typically expected to be: A) weak, since the countrys quoted interest rate would be high relative to the inflation rate. B) strong, since the countrys quoted interest rate would be low relative to the inflation rate. C) strong, since the countrys quoted interest rate would be high relative to the inflation rate. D) weak, since the countrys quoted interest rate would be low relative to the inflation rate. ANSWER: D 8. Assume that the inflation rate becomes much higher in the U.K. relative to the U.S. This will place _______ pressure on the value of the British pound. Also, assume that interest rates in the U.K. begin to rise relative to interest rates in the U.S. The change in interest rates will place _______ pressure on the value of the British pound. A) upward; downward B) upward; upward C) downward; upward D) downward; downward ANSWER: C

Chapter 4: Exchange Rate Determination

160

9. Baylor Bank believes the New Zealand dollar will appreciate over the next five days from $.48 to $.50. The following annual interest rates apply: Currency Dollars New Zealand dollar (NZ$) Lending Rate 7.10% 6.80% Borrowing Rate 7.50% 7.25%

Baylor Bank has the capacity to borrow either NZ$10 million or $5 million. If Baylor Banks forecast if correct, what will its dollar profit be from speculation over the five-day period (assuming it does not use any of its existing consumer deposits to capitalize on its expectations)? A) $521,325. B) $500,520. C) $104,262. D) $413,419. E) $208,044. ANSWER: E SOLUTION: 1. Borrow $5 million. 2. Convert to NZ$: $5,000,000/$.48 = NZ$10,416,667. 3. Invest the NZ$ at an annualized rate of 6.80% over five days. NZ$10,416,667 [1 + 6.80% (5/360)] = NZ$10,426,505 4. Convert the NZ$ back to dollars: NZ$10,426,505 $.50 = $5,213,252 5. Repay the dollars borrowed. The repayment amount is: $5,000,000 [1 + 7.5% (5/360)] = $5,000,000 [1.00104] = $5,005,208 6. After repaying the loan, the remaining dollar profit is: $5,213,252 $5,005,208 = $208,044

161

International Financial Management

10. Assume the following information regarding U.S. and European annualized interest rates: Currency U.S. Dollar ($) Euro () Lending Rate 6.73% 6.80% Borrowing Rate 7.20% 7.28%

Trensor Bank can borrow either $20 million or 20 million. The current spot rate of the euro is $1.13. Furthermore, Trensor Bank expects the spot rate of the euro to be $1.10 in 90 days. What is Trensor Banks dollar profit from speculating if the spot rate of the euro is indeed $1.10 in 90 days? A) $579,845. B) $583,800. C) $588,200. D) $584,245. E) $980,245. ANSWER: A SOLUTION: 1. Borrow 20 million. 2. Convert the 20 million to 20,000,000 $1.13 = $22,600,000. 3. Invest the $22,600,000 at an annualized rate of 6.73% for 90 days. $22,600,000 [1 + 6.73% (90/360)] = $22,980,245 4. Determine euros owed: 20,000,000 [1 + 7.28% (90/360)] = 20,364,000. 5. Determine dollars needed to repay euro loan: 20,364,000 $1.10 = $22,400,400. 6. The dollar profit is: $22,980,245 $22,400,400 = $579,845.

Chapter 4: Exchange Rate Determination

162

11. The equilibrium exchange rate of pounds is $1.70. At an exchange rate of $1.72 per pound: A) U.S. demand for pounds would exceed the supply of pounds for sale and there would be a shortage of pounds in the foreign exchange market. B) U.S. demand for pounds would be less than the supply of pounds for sale and there would be a shortage of pounds in the foreign exchange market. C) U.S. demand for pounds would exceed the supply of pounds for sale and there would be a surplus of pounds in the foreign exchange market. D) U.S. demand for pounds would be less than the supply of pounds for sale and there would be a surplus of pounds in the foreign exchange market. E) U.S. demand for pounds would be equal to the supply of pounds for sale and there would be a shortage of pounds in the foreign exchange market. ANSWER: D 12. Assume that Swiss investors have francs available to invest in securities, and they initially view U.S. and British interest rates as equally attractive. Now assume that U.S. interest rates increase while British interest rates stay the same. This would likely cause: A) the Swiss demand for dollars to decrease and the dollar will depreciate against the pound. B) the Swiss demand for dollars to increase and the dollar will depreciate against the Swiss franc. C) the Swiss demand for dollars to increase and the dollar will appreciate against the Swiss franc. D) the Swiss demand for dollars to decrease and the dollar will appreciate against the pound. ANSWER: C 13. The real interest rate adjusts the nominal interest rate for: A) exchange rate movements. B) income growth. C) inflation. D) government controls. E) none of these. ANSWER: C 14. If U.S. inflation suddenly increased while European inflation stayed the same, there would be: A) an increased U.S. demand for euros and an increased supply of euros for sale. B) a decreased U.S. demand for euros and an increased supply of euros for sale. C) a decreased U.S. demand for euros and a decreased supply of euros for sale. D) an increased U.S. demand for euros and a decreased supply of euros for sale. ANSWER: D

163

International Financial Management

15. If inflation in New Zealand suddenly increased while U.S. inflation stayed the same, there would be: A) an inward shift in the demand schedule for NZ$ and an outward shift in the supply schedule for NZ$. B) an outward shift in the demand schedule for NZ$ and an inward shift in the supply schedule for NZ$. C) an outward shift in the demand schedule for NZ$ and an outward shift in the supply schedule for NZ$. D) an inward shift in the demand schedule for NZ$ and an inward shift in the supply schedule for NZ$. ANSWER: A 16. If the U.S. and Japan engage in substantial financial flows but little trade, _______ directly influence their exchange rate the most. If the U.S. and Switzerland engage in much trade but little financial flows, _______ directly influence their exchange rate the most. A) interest rate differentials; interest rate differentials B) inflation and interest rate differentials; interest rate differentials C) income and interest rate differentials; inflation differentials D) interest rate differentials; inflation and income differentials E) inflation and income differentials; interest rate differentials ANSWER: D 17. If inflation increases substantially in Australia while U.S. inflation remains unchanged, this is expected to place _______ pressure on the value of the Australian dollar with respect to the U.S. dollar. A) upward B) downward C) either upward or downward (depending on the degree of the increase in Australian inflation) D) none of these; there will be no impact ANSWER: B 18. Assume that British corporations begin to purchase more supplies from the U.S. as a result of several labor strikes by British suppliers. This action reflects: A) an increased demand for British pounds. B) a decrease in the demand for British pounds. C) an increase in the supply of British pounds for sale. D) a decrease in the supply of British pounds for sale. ANSWER: C 19. The phrase the dollar was mixed in trading means that: A) the dollar was strong in some periods and weak in other periods over the last month. B) the volume of trading was very high in some periods and low in other periods. C) the dollar was involved in some currency transactions, but not others. D) the dollar strengthened against some currencies and weakened against others. ANSWER: D

Chapter 4: Exchange Rate Determination

164

20. Assume that the U.S. places a strict quota on goods imported from Chile and that Chile does not retaliate. Holding other factors constant, this event should immediately cause the U.S. demand for Chilean pesos to _______ and the value of the peso to _______. A) increase; increase B) increase; decline C) decline; decline D) decline; increase ANSWER: C 21. Any event that increases the U.S. demand for euros should result in a(n) _______ in the value of the euro with respect to _______, other things being equal. A) increase; U.S. dollar B) increase; nondollar currencies C) decrease; nondollar currencies D) decrease; U.S. dollar ANSWER: A 22. Any event that reduces the U.S. demand for Japanese yen should result in a(n) _______ in the value of the Japanese yen with respect to _______, other things being equal. A) increase; U.S. dollar B) increase; nondollar currencies C) decrease; nondollar currencies D) decrease; U.S. dollar ANSWER: D 23. Any event that increases the supply of British pounds to be exchanged for U.S. dollars should result in a(n) _______ in the value of the British pound with respect to _______, other things being equal. A) increase; U.S. dollar B) increase; nondollar currencies C) decrease; nondollar currencies D) decrease; U.S. dollar ANSWER: D 24. Any event that reduces the supply of Swiss francs to be exchanged for U.S. dollars should result in a(n) _______ in the value of the Swiss franc with respect to _______, other things being equal. A) increase; U.S. dollar B) increase; nondollar currencies C) decrease; nondollar currencies D) decrease; U.S. dollar ANSWER: A

165

International Financial Management

25. Assume that the U.S. experiences a significant decline in income, while Japans income remains steady. This event should place _______ pressure on the value of the Japanese yen, other things being equal. (Assume that interest rates and other factors are not affected.) A) upward B) downward C) no D) upward and downward (offsetting) ANSWER: B 26. News of a potential surge in U.S. inflation and zero Chilean inflation places _______ pressure on the value of the Chilean peso. The pressure will occur _______. A) upward; only after the U.S. inflation surges B) downward; only after the U.S. inflation surges C) upward; immediately D) downward; immediately ANSWER: C 27. Assume that Canada places a strict quota on goods imported from the U.S. and that the U.S. does not retaliate. Holding other factors constant, this event should immediately cause the supply of Canadian dollars to be exchanged for U.S. dollars to _______ and the value of the Canadian dollar to _______. A) increase; increase B) increase; decline C) decline; decline D) decline; increase ANSWER: D 28. Assume that Japan places a strict quota on goods imported from the U.S. and the U.S. places a strict quota on goods imported from Japan. This event should immediately cause the U.S. demand for Japanese yen to _______, and the supply of Japanese yen to be exchanged for U.S. dollars to _______. A) increase; increase B) increase; decline C) decline; decline D) decline; increase ANSWER: C 29. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as a factor affecting exchange rates? A) relative interest rates. B) relative inflation rates. C) government controls. D) expectations. E) All of these are mentioned in the text as factors affecting exchange rates. ANSWER: E

Chapter 4: Exchange Rate Determination

166

30. If a country experiences high inflation relative to the U.S., its exports to the U.S. should _______, its imports should _______, and there is _______ pressure on its currencys equilibrium value. A) decrease; increase; upward B) decrease; decrease; upward C) increase; decrease; downward D) decrease; increase; downward E) increase; decrease; upward ANSWER: C 31. If a country experiences an increase in interest rates relative to U.S. interest rates, the inflow of U.S. funds to purchase its securities should _______, the outflow of its funds to purchase U.S. securities should _______, and there is _______ pressure on its currencys equilibrium value. A) increase; decrease; downward B) decrease; increase; upward C) increase; decrease; upward D) decrease; increase; downward E) increase; increase; upward ANSWER: C 32. In general, when speculating on exchange rate movements, the speculator will borrow the currency that is expected to appreciate and invest in the country whose currency is expected to depreciate. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B 33. The exchange rates of smaller countries are very stable because the market for their currency is very liquid. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B 34. An increase in U.S. inflation relative to Singapore inflation places upward pressure on the Singapore dollar. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A 35. When expecting a foreign currency to depreciate, a possible way to speculate on this movement is to borrow dollars, convert the proceeds to the foreign currency, lend in the foreign country, and use the proceeds from this investment to repay the dollar loan. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B

167

International Financial Management

36.

Since supply and demand for a currency are constant (primarily due to government intervention), currency values seldom fluctuate. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B

37.

Relatively high Japanese inflation may result in an increase in the supply of yen for sale and a reduction in the demand for yen. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A

38.

The main effect of interest rate movements on exchange rates is through their effect on international trade. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B

39.

Country X frequently engages in trade flows with the U.S. (such as imports and exports). Country Y frequently engages in capital flows with the U.S. (such as financial investments). Everything else held constant, an increase in U.S. interest rates would affect the exchange rate of Country Xs currency more than the exchange rate of Country Ys currency. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B

40. Increases in relative income in one country vs. another result in an increase in that countrys currency value. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B 41. Trade-related foreign exchange transactions are more responsive to news than financial flow transactions. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B

Chapter 4: Exchange Rate Determination

168

42. Signals regarding future actions of market participants in the foreign exchange market sometimes result in overreactions. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A 43. The markets that have a smaller amount of foreign exchange trading for speculatory purposes than for trade purposes will likely experience more volatility than those where trade flows play a larger role. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A 44. Liquidity of a currency can affect the extent to which speculation can impact the currencys value. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A 45. Forecasting a currencys future value is difficult, because it is difficult to identify how the factors affecting the currency value will change, and how they will interact to impact the currencys value. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: A 46. The standard deviation should be applied to values rather than percentage movements when comparing volatility among currencies. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B 47. Movements of foreign currencies tend to be more volatile for shorter time horizons. A) true. B) false. ANSWER: B