Question

The EZ Lawn Corporation manufactures lawn equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, and trimmers. The lawn equipment is assembled in the U.S. at a facility in Florida, but the firm outsources inputs from a number of countries, each with varying degrees of economic stability. Given the importance of the firm's sourcing activities, EZ Lawn managers are discussing methods which might reduce the currency risk faced by EZ Lawn. Which of the following would most likely minimize the currency risk of EZ Lawn?
a. Concentrate all of the EZ Lawn outsourcing to one or two neighboring nations.
b. Re-locate a team of EZ Lawn managers overseas to stay abreast of currency changes.
c. List EZ Lawn stock on foreign stock exchanges to offset any currency losses.
d. Assign an EZ Lawn manager the task of monitoring currency fluctuations.

Answer 1

Answer:

c. List EZ Lawn stock on foreign stock exchanges to offset any currency losses.

Many foreign companies do this and list their stocks as ADRs in the US, so this is a method that actually works. The problem is that will listing American stocks in foreign markets help? Probably you could list some stocks in European, Japanese or even Canadian markets. But most foreign exchange markets pose a higher risk than a currency exchange risk.

Explanation:

Currency risk refers to the possibility that a company that engages in international trade losses money due to variations in the exchange rate between their domestic currency and a foreign currency. The best way to protect a company are currency hedged funds that trade currency exchange futures, but this option isn't included in the list.

a. Concentrate all of the EZ Lawn outsourcing to one or two neighboring nations. ⇒ This will increase the risk since it is similar to investing all your money in one single stock, it can be great or it can be a disaster.

b. Re-locate a team of EZ Lawn managers overseas to stay abreast of currency changes. ⇒ You can do this from anywhere in the world, you do not need to relocate someone.

d. Assign an EZ Lawn manager the task of monitoring currency fluctuations. ⇒ Similar to option B, it just takes a few seconds to do it and anyone can do it. It is something so basic that every company should do it. It is like telling someone that they shouldn't forget to keep breathing. It can help you deal with currency fluctuations, but it doesn't protect you from them.