Answer:
An Australian Firm Selling to a Japanese Customer
a) Direct Quote of the Exchange Rate between Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen:
A$ 1 = ¥90
Meaning 1 Australian Dollar = 90 Japanese Yen.
Therefore, the price of the goods would be A$ 2,222,222.22222 (¥200 million)/ ¥90
b)Theoretical Current Forward Exchange Rate, quoted in terms of JPY/AUD for delivery in three months:
= Spot Rate x (1 + Japanese Interest Rate) / (1 + Australian Interest Rate) x 360/90
= ¥90 x (1 +0.005) / (1 +0.03) x 360/90 = ¥90 x 1.005/1.03 x 360/90
= ¥351.26214 =A$1
c) The Australian firm can take advantage of any decreases in the exchange rate and also ensure that it receives at least Australian $2 million by entering into a Currency Forwards Contract.
d) If the spot exchange rate in 3 month's time is:
(i) AUD/JPY=150, the outcome of the hedging with a Currency Forwards Contract to get at least A$ 2 million would be the gain of:
Forward Exchange outcome in Australian Dollars = ¥200 million/ ¥150 =
A$ 1,333,333.33333
Hedging outcome minus Forward Exchange outcome
A$2 million - A$ 1,333,333.33333 = A$666,666.66667
(ii) AUD/JPY = 50, the outcome of the hedging with a Currency Forwards Contract to get at least A$ 2 million would be the loss of:
Forward Exchange outcome = in Australian Dollars = ¥200 million/ ¥50 =
A$4 million
Hedging outcome minus Forward Exchange outcome
A$2 million - $4 million = -A$2million
Explanation:
a) Currency forwards contracts and future contracts are used to hedge the currency risk. For example, a company expecting to receive ¥200 million in 90 days, can enter into a forward contract to deliver the ¥200 million and receive equivalent Australian dollars in 90 days at an exchange rate specified today.
b) If A$ 1 = ¥90
Therefore, the price of the goods would be A$ 2,222,222.22222 (¥200 million)/ ¥90 in Australian Dollars.
