Question

9. Current one-year interest rates in Europe is 4 percent, while one-year interest rates in the U.S. is 2 percent. You convert $200,000 to euros and invests them in France. One year later, you convert the euros back to dollars. The current spot rate of the euro is $1.20. a. According to the IFE, what should the spot rate of the euro in one year be? b. If the spot rate of the euro in one year is $1.12, what is your percentage return from your investment? c. If the spot rate of the euro in one year is $1.31, what is your percentage return from your investment? d. What must the spot rate of the euro be in one year for your strategy to be successful?

Answer 1

Solution:

Given ,

1 Year interest rates in Europe = 4 %

1 Year interest rates in the U.S. = 2 %

You are translating $200,000 and spending $200,000 in French

Current spot rate of the euro = $1.20

a.   (2%-4%)/(1+4%)=(S - 1.20) / 1.20  

     S= $1.1769 one year Euro rate

b. ( $1 / 1.20 )( 1 + 4% )* 1.12 = $.9707 return of -2.93% (loss)

c. ( $1 / 1.20) ( 1 + 4%)* 1.31 = $1.1353 return of 13.53% (gain)

d . ($1 / 1.20) ( 1 + 4%) *S = $1 (1+2%) ;

        S=$1.1769          

A spot rate of over $1.17697 (this is the same in part A) would be effective.